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Springfield’s Troggio gets overseas opportunities
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Charley troggio, Springfield softball player
By Brandon Judeh
New Middletown
When Springfield softball player Charley Troggio was 11 years old she made a decision that would forever change her playing career.
She decided to work harder on her game and practice as much as possible.
Seven years later it has paid off.
“I didn’t play much my first year of travel ball so I decided to work harder and start doing more drills,” said Troggio. “My coaches showed me and helped me with drills and my dad spent a lot of time with me on my blocking drills as well as my release.”
The catcher will be making the most of her final year of high school by going to Cambodia in October as a dental volunteer and to the Netherlands for a world softball tournament in January.
Troggio is excited to get the opportunity to travel abroad and explore different cultures.
“When I go to Cambodia I will be spending two weeks teaching children how to brush their teeth and checking them in when they come through,” she said. “I will also be making sure they aren’t scared to see the dentist.”
For anyone that knows Troggio, it comes as no surprise that she is going to a less fortunate country to help others.
“Charley is such a special girl; she’s always busy, whether its practicing, working or teaching young girls how to hit and catch,” said her mother, Heather. “She’s such a good-hearted young lady.”
Troggio’s rewards as a softball player will come in January when she makes a trip to the Netherlands for the 2014 Softball World Cup.
Though thousands applied, Troggio was one of only five catchers to make the cut as coaches and others voted her to be a part of one of the five teams from the U.S. to make the trip.
“They select players not just for their playing ability, but also by what kind of a person they are on and off the diamond, so it’s a huge honor for me to get selected,” Troggio said. “I’m already counting down the days, I’m so excited.”
Troggio and her U.S.A. teammates will be taking on the likes of France and Russia in the adult tournament.
Recently Troggio got the chance to meet her soon-to-be coaches and teammates at the Queen of Diamonds Showcase South at Winthrop University in South Carolina.
After Troggio’s journey it will be back to business as the Tigers look to build off of last year’s wining record.
The Tigers look young this season as many freshmen may be called upon to contribute early, something that Troggio is excited about.
“I’m really looking forward to being a leader on this young team and helping the underclassman learn and improve their game,” said Troggio.
“Last year was the first year in my high school career that we had a winning record, so we are looking to build off of that and pick up our first playoff win.”