
POTTSTOWN >> Youth softball in Pottstown has experienced a measure of growth in recent years.
With help from a newly-established initiative, the hope is for growth and quality of the sport to keep going.
The “Two Teams, One Town” initiative came into existence this spring to support local students who have an interest in playing softball. It’s a collaborative effort between the Pottstown High and The Hill schools, spearheaded by head coaches Jon McKee (Hill) and Jess Tupper (Pottstown).
“I’m excited and grateful to be working with Pottstown High School in this initiative,” McKee, the Blues’ first-year head coach with previous coaching experience at Pottstown, said. “We hope this effort will help aspiring student-athletes have more access to the game of softball.”
The initiative, running since the start of the spring season, staged a fundraiser Thursday on the occasion of a non-league game between the schools at the Hill’s Jim Long Field. All funds raised from the “Two Teams, One Town” drive will directly benefit local student-athletes by subsidizing pitching or catching lessons, travel or recreational softball fees, collegiate scholarships and softball clinic fees, as well as other approved softball-related fees.
In addition to the fundraising component, the teams have also organized an equipment drive to collect used and/or new bats and gloves through the end of May.
“We hope this benefits more younger players with equipment and feeder programs in town, and individual instruction,” Tupper, Pottstown’s fifth-year field boss, added.
Trojans and Rams compete in friendly rivalry on Hill School campus @MercuryXstover @AustinHertzog @PottstownTrojan @PSDRODRIGUEZ @LauraLyJohnson @HillAthletics @ZackLehman pic.twitter.com/tkH3JbitBg
— John Armato (@JohnJarmato) May 12, 2022
At the game, T-shirts sporting the “Two Teams, One Town” logo were offered for sale. Interest and support within the community has also been observed.
“There’s a lot more involvement,” Tupper said. “There are a lot of companies donating to our fund.”
The scope of the drive includes the conduct of pitching lessons and softball camps in Pottstown,
“Hopefully, we can work together on clinics,” McKee said. “Whatever we can do to promote the sport in Pottstown. It’s a joint venture we hope to continue for a while.”
With its season’s game schedule ending Friday, the hope for Pottstown is to build on what had been established this spring.
“We’re looking for youngsters, and more girls, playing for the high school team,” Tupper said. “We were close to having a junior-varsity team this year, and we’re hoping for one next season.”
The game itself was dominated by the Blues, though they had to go to the sixth inning to score a 10-0 victory. Building a 7-0 lead after its first two at-bats, the Hill was held in check by Pottstown for the next two, finally bringing the “mercy rule” into effect with two in the sixth.
Aryanna Bodge threw a masterful two-hitter for the Blues, yielding just a pair of walks while recording 11 strikeouts. The junior hurler backed her mound efforts with a 3-for-4 bat that featured a double and two RBI.
Bella DiCampello chipped in with a 2-for-2, three-RBI plate effort highlighted by a home run.
For Pottstown, Savannah Richards (triple) and Kaylee Allan were Pottstown’s players hitting safely.
“We’re looking to continue doing this every year,” McKee said.
Monetary and equipment donations to the “Two Teams, One Town” initiative may be made by contacting Tupper at jtupper@pottstownk12.org or McKee at jmckee@thehill.org. All checks can be made out to Pottstown High School Softball with Two Teams One Town as the memo line.
Questions regarding Pottstown Softball Fund “Two Teams, One Town” initiative may be directed to Coach Tupper or Coach McKee at their e-mail addresses.
NOTES >> The Hill has two more regular-season games to play prior to entering the Pa. Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) playoffs.

Recent News
-
Football
/ 18 mins agoOwen J. Roberts looking to maintain playoff streak, break into upper tier
For the past several seasons, the two-horse race atop the PAC Liberty Division has...
-
Football
/ 2 hours agoMethacton looks to take next step in 2nd season under coach Kennedy
The Methacton football team started from behind last season when head coach Brian Kennedy...
By Owen McCue -
Football
/ 11 hours agoBoyertown looking to make quick turnaround under new coach Konnick
One week ago, he was preparing Boyertown’s American Legion baseball team for competition in...
By Jeff Stover -
Football
/ 12 hours agoSouderton hungry for SOL Continental title, another trip to District 1-6A playoffs
FRANCONIA >> Leaving the practice field with his teammates as they prepared to head...
By Kev Hunter -
Football
/ 2 days agoRory Graver building Wissahickon football program on and off the field
LOWER GWYNEDD >> On the first day of camp, new Wissahickon coach Rory Graver...
By Ed Morlock -
Football
/ 5 days agoColin O’Sullivan set for third season as Upper Dublin’s QB
UPPER DUBLIN >> To say that Colin O’Sullivan is in rare company would be...
By Ed Morlock -
Girls Basketball
/ 2 weeks agoLansdale Catholic wins A-Town Throwdown
The Lansdale Catholic girls basketball team hasn’t had much time to gel this offseason....
By Ed Morlock -
Football
/ 2 weeks agoDaily Local News’ area returning football leaders
These stats are compiled from Daily Local News’ reports.
-
FALL SPORTS
/ 2 weeks agoSTOVER: McDaniel built an athletic operation second to none at Spring-Ford
It’s something that happens to everyone, particularly those who do something for a long...
By Jeff Stover -
FALL SPORTS
/ 2 weeks agoMickey McDaniel retiring after 27 years as Spring-Ford athletic director
He’s known commonly as “Mickey,” or more formally as “Mr. McDaniel.” There’s another moniker...
By Jeff Stover -
CrossFit
/ 3 weeks agoFound Her Fit: Owen J. Roberts junior Reese Littlewood bound for CrossFit Games
The world was at a crossroads. So was Reese Littlewood. The COVID-19 pandemic shutdown...
-
FALL SPORTS
/ 3 weeks agoRage On: Strong local presence helps Philadelphia SC Coppa Rage win USYS U17 national title
What a difference a year makes. At the conclusion of the 2021 US Youth...