Future Look: New Softball Field

Good news for the Softball players; no more long walk to HCC! After the recent construction of a new softball field on the East side of the Harlem High School campus, players will be able to play softball in the 2026 season without leaving the campus.

The proposal was first launched for a new field in early 2024, and construction began Summer of 2024, and was completed in late spring of 2025. After a long wait of not being able to play at the school, students will now be able to try out on their own field.

This new softball field offers current and future Harlem softball players a state of the art space that has sparked excitement for the upcoming season and in the community as well.

“The softball team has wanted a new field for many, many years and everyone is saying that since baseball has one, we need one, and that we can finally do what we want on it and not have to follow HCC rules,” said Josephine Nicosia (12)

This new field offers the players a more unified team now that it is located on the Harlem High school campus and the players do not need to be rushed after school to change and bring all of their equipment over to HCC. With closer parking and accessibility to the school, spectators will be able to truly enjoy Huskie softball with the home field advantage.

“It will be easier for fans to come out and support and have a bigger flow of viewers to come watch our games since they are at the school and not at a different location,” said Katelyn Blake (11).

While grateful for the opportunity to use the HCC fields, Emma Segalla (12) says by having the new field closer the hassle is eliminated of going further away to play. Players are now able to preserve their energy for the game and practice rather than trekking their gear across the Harlem parking lot and HCC fields.

“It will make it a lot less stressful trying to get to practice in time as well as for those who have to stay late for retakes and makeups for class,” said Segalla.

The biggest advantage that could help the Harlem softball program is the consistency in playing on a field they are familiar with and used to when playing other school in the NIC-10 conference.

“Maybe they’ll [the other schools] look forward to playing us more so they can also experience the new field.” said Blake (11).

However, through the excitement of the new field, there are a few concerns that have been raised, such as upkeep of the field and having not enough volunteers to help with the field maintenance.

“Not enough people want to weed-wack or mow or pull up weeds from the dirt,” said Nicosia, “Having a team sign up sheet every week or two to sign up for and take care of the field” would help up keep the field and help the teams and program grow.

This upcoming season is exciting not just because of the new field, but for the new dynamic coming from the team itself.

“I think we will do well, better than most think. Last year we were severely underestimated, and I think we are carrying that into this upcoming year,” said Segalla.

While the season has not started yet, softball program is looking forward to the ability to play on a field that is theirs to call home, as well as the community being very supportive of this new addition to the school.