I have returned home from NY Yankees Women's Mini-Fantasy Camp with my heart feeling so incredibly full and an enormous smile on my face. It was a trip of a lifetime, one that I will never forget. I was only a spectator at this amazing camp and am still floating on these feelings. I cannot even begin to imagine what the women who played must be feeling.
This was the very first all women's camp in the MLB and the NY Yankees put together a world class experience. The amazing individuals, who had a vision, took a chance, and put together the camp did a spectacular job with every little detail. Women from all walks of life, each with their own stories came together for one thing, their love of the NY Yankees and respect for the Yankees Organization. I was incredibly lucky to attend as a fan and cheer on my three Aunts: Alice, Kathy and Patty. Seeing them in pinstripes out there on the field playing are memories that are etched deeply into my heart.
If I had to choose one word to describe what it felt like to be there for those three days the word would be community. It is an extremely powerful thing when women come together and are kind to one another. The women at this camp blew my mind and heart wide open. They cheered each other on, truly wanted to see each other succeed, supported one another, laughed with one another, and were filled with this incredible amount of excitement. The energy that poured out of these women was electric. It filled my heart to have the privilege to witness all of this. It reminded me of all of the good that is in this world and I was able to see first hand the beauty that can unfold when people are kind to one another.
Every single individual at the camp was incredibly kind and supportive. The amazing group of people who put together the camp, the women who had the courage to fulfill their dream and come, the fans that cheered them on, the Greats who took the players under their wings, the individuals that served us delicious meals, everyone was phenomenal. An incredible community was formed at George M Steinbrenner Field.
The Greats ~ Homer Bush, Bucky Dent, Tino Martinez, Gil Patterson, Mickey Rivers, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Torrez, and Roy White, welcomed these women onto the field and treated each of them with the utmost respect. They coached and guided them on how to play baseball. They laughed with them, joked with them, and cheered them on. Simply from watching you could tell that everyone was having so much fun.
Community and coming together is a really important thing in this world. The NY Yankees created a unique and special community at Fantasy Camp. Bonds were formed that will last a lifetime. The women who attended are filled with amazing memories and new friends to share the future with. If you have an inkling that you want to attend my advise to you would be to go for it. I guarantee you won't regret it.
