The Madness continues in 2011

Last summer, the Merrick Madness softball team went on an improbable run, winning the New York State Softball championship in Canastota, N.Y., and advancing to the Eastern Regional Tournament of Champions in Albany, finishing in third place in their bracket.

One year later, the Merrick Madness squad is at it again.

Now a travel team, comprised of 12-, 13- and 14-year-old girls, the squad will play in Cary, N.C., from July 22 to 29, participating in the 2011 P.O.N.Y. (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) 14 -and-under national tournament and squaring off against 84 teams from around the country.

The team, managed by Cortland student Rachel Barry, is also coached by Maria Imhof -- who led the team last year -- , Cliff Rasulo, Amy Mavrogian and Barry Jacobs. Imhof recently appointed Barry, who had previously been a coach, to manager of the travel squad.

The Madness has played together for four consecutive summers, which, Imhof said, gives her team a distinct advantage. "While we are meeting competition that are a year or two older than us,” she said, “we're also meeting teams that are tryout-based. It makes a big difference because I would have to say that having nine girls from the same town is very unique."

The girls, most of whom attended Merrick Avenue Middle School this past year, agree that the closeness they share gives them a certain chemistry that other teams lack. "I think since we're best friends it makes it easier to play together," said Kelly Rasulo.

Imhof joked that sometimes a practice might seem like “one big play date.” However, the coaching staff reiterated that the girls know when it’s time to be serious. "They're definitely focused for the most part,” said coach Rasulo. “They know when it's time to get down and dirty."

Winning the state championship last year has resulted in a wave of success for the squad that has lasted throughout the year. "It's been just about a year now, and it's like you're on cloud nine for the last year,” said Rasulo.

Last fall, the Madness took part in the National Juniors Baseball League, playing 10 games and finishing undefeated. In the spring, the girls competed in two P.O.N.Y. tournaments, playing games in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and on Long Island, and finished as finalists in both, qualifying them for the national tournament in North Carolina.