Bogus and Lady Phantoms Ready to Take on PAC-10

As the 2011 softball season gets underway, the Phoenixville Lady Phantoms can’t wait to hit the field, literally.

In what has been a mentally exhausting spring, with more hours spent in the gym than can be counted, the action the Phantoms saw last week in a scrimmage was the first time their cleats have touched dirt all spring.

“It has been tough to not have a field ready yet,” said manager Joe Bogus in his 22nd year as the Phantoms' skipper. “The kids have made the best of it and we have worked on a lot of technique and mechanics stuff. We had a great field and will again, once all of the construction is done, but it’s been rough trying to get ready to play.”

Due to the building of the new middle school, the Phantoms will be playing their home games this year at a field that will be made available at the YMCA a mile down the road.

When they do take the field, they will do so with sophomores Gianna Bliss and Rachel Boone manning shortstop and first base respectively, and will depend heavily on the arm of junior hurler Courtney Wieland.

“We are depending on our seniors to provide leadership to the JV and other varsity kids,” said Bogus. “We have everybody work together for the entire time they are here so when they get in games we are all on the same page.”

“I am excited for the season,” said Wieland, donning her Delaware Diamonds ASA jacket. “We have a lot of talent and I think we are going to be good for the next couple of years. I think I may be nervous the first game or two, knowing that it is on my shoulders, but I am looking forward to it.”

In the world of ASA, AAU travel teams and U18 leagues popping up everywhere, the diehard softball players of today have the opportunity to play almost year round, which has led to many scholarships be awarded that years ago would not have been available.

“We have a bunch of girls that play club softball, which really helps up once the games start,” said Rachel Boone. “Those of us that play club have been playing, where some girls are picking up a bat for the first time all year."

Seniors Laura Gronski, who will be patrolling centerfield for coach Bogus this season, and Hillary Viola, will be catalysts in the success of the Phantoms as they try to navigate the perilous waters on the PAC-10 league schedule.

The season gets underway on Friday when Phoenixville travels to Spring-Ford, a game originally scheduled to be played in Phoenixville. It was switched to the Rams' field, due to the Phantoms' field not being ready yet.

“We will be fine once we get going,” said Gianna Bliss, who started as a freshman last season and hit a grand slam over the left field wall that still hasn’t landed. “I can’t wait until we can play on a field. The gym is so hard to try to prepare for the season in. I think we have the talent on this team to really compete in our league. We have some tough teams to play like Spring-Ford and Boyertown, but I have confidence that we can hang with anyone.”

“We will have to battle every game,” said Bogus. “We are going to work hard and see what happens. I think Perkiomen Valley is actually going to be a team for everyone to watch as they have everyone back this year. I still get excited over this time of the year and the start of the season.”