WESTFIELD-Westfield native Donna McLean is passionate about softball.
Her love of the game over a span of 42 years remains constant – especially in light of her recent return from the USA Senior Softball Rock ’n Reno (Nevada) Tournament – the team she plays on – the Twisted Fossils – won the 50’s Division.
Westfield native Donna McLean, back row, on right, is a member of the Twisted Fossils softball team which clinched the USA Senior Softball 50’s Division title recently in Nevada. Team members include, front row: Lisa Lombardo, Connie Skinner, Carolee Morse and Dawn Demerchant. Back row, left to right: Wendy Davis, April Blake, Colleen Smith, Gerrie Riley, Tammy Schondelmayer, Kristen Blandino, Frankie Spruce and McLean. (Submitted photo)
The Twisted Fossils, based in Massachusetts, has players across the state as well as from Connecticut and New York. Of the senior softball teams competing from June 2-4, the Twisted Fossils bested Nevada (NV) Sage, 19-8; Been There! Done That! from California, 16-4; Runnin’ out of Time, from Nevada, 26-5; Spokane (WA) Sparx 50, 22-6, and the Arizona Dream Team (AZ), 19-18. In the championship game, the Twisted Fossils beat the Arizona Dream Team, 20-13.
“It still feels the same playing softball from Little League to now but at an older age,” said McLean from her home in Connecticut’s Litchfield County.
With the championship win, the Twisted Fossils have been invited to play in the Tournament of Champions slated next February in Florida.
McLean’s story begins in 1975 when she made history in Westfield for being the first girl to play baseball in Westfield’s Little League. She played left field for the Moose Club for four years and was named to the Little League’s All-Star Team during her second year of play.
Then, fast forward to Westfield High School where McLean made varsity softball playing center field during her freshman year. During her sophomore year, she learned how to pitch and was one of the team’s pitchers for her remaining high school years. During her high school career, McLean received three MVP awards for softball and two MVP awards for basketball.
While at Westfield State, she played center field during her freshman year and came in for relief pitching. For her last three years, she pitched. She was named an All-American and All New England softball player from 1984-87. Also, McLean was a four-time all-conference and All New England selection, and led the Owls to an NCAA Tournament berth in 1985 and the 1987 ECAC championship. She was inducted into Westfield State’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.
After college, she joined the Brakettes of Stratford, Conn., a women’s major fast pitch team which has won three World Championships, 28 National A.S.A. Championships, and has had 22 National Hall of Fame members and 12 Olympians. During McLean’s time with the Brakettes, the team won four national titles in 1988, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
While McLean “retired” from the Brakettes in 2005, she has since played on numerous women’s softball teams over the years – including the last few years with the Twisted Fossils.
“I love the game of softball,” said McLean, adding that “love” extends to her teammates who are part of her extended family.
McLean, who has her own business, Donna’s Critter Sitter Pet Service, LLC, is now geared up for the Twisted Fossils summer season since that means more time – playing left field – where she is most at home.
“I play softball to keep in shape, to meet new teammates and reconnect with old teammates,” said McLean, adding, “Softball keeps me feeling young.”
