Pennsbury Gems

04/05/2026

Nice job ladies. Congrats players and coaches.

04/04/2026

edited

APRIL 2026 Spotlight:
Excited to report that Gems alumni continue to be in contact. Some locally have been "interviewed" and others are planning to gather in small groups and share their experiences ahead of our June 20th celebration. Feel free to spread my email address ([email protected]) so that any alumni you may know can receive the information about our Pennsbury Gems 50th Anniversary Celebration June 20.

Before we talk in May about our current Gems playing for their various local and regional High School teams, we wanted in April to mention current college players that have played for our Pennsbury Gems program. CLICK on image below to see Full List. These include:

04/03/2026

APRIL 2026 Spotlight:
Excited to report that Gems alumni continue to be in contact. Some locally have been "interviewed" and others are planning to gather in small groups and share their experiences ahead of our June 20th celebration. Feel free to spread my email address ([email protected]) so that any alumni you may know can receive the information about our Pennsbury Gems 50th Anniversary Celebration June 20.

Before we talk in May about our current Gems playing for their various local and regional High School teams, we wanted in April to mention current college players that have played for our Pennsbury Gems program. CLICK on image below to see Full List. These include:

04/03/2026

Pennsbury Gems 50th Anniversary

MARCH 2026 Spotlight:
Excited to report that dozens of Gems alumni from as far back as early 1980's and from around the country have been in contact. Some locally have been "interviewed" and others are planning to gather in small groups and share their experiences ahead of our June 20th celebration.

That said, we are still gathering contact information, so social media friends please spread the word far and wide to contact me at [email protected].

The depth and breadth of their stories and the impact that playing fastpitch at varsity and college levels will also be shared with you in future updates. Interesting that this includes those who succeeded at the highest levels such as our own Angel Bunner. Her Wikipedia page details her storied career after her Pennsbury Gems travel ball years. Yet, regardless of the level of play, our Pennsbury Gems alumni represent competent, confident, and empowered young women, often leaders in their communities, and important role models on and off the fields in many walks of life. Check out her Wikipedia page here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Bunner
One subject many alumni speak about was the impact of great coaching. We will detail many examples in our May and October news. Some are still coaching, some retired from on field duties, many are no longer with us, but all became impactful mentors and supporters even after playing days were over.

APRIL 2026 will feature our current Pennsbury Gems players in college.
MAY 2026 are current Gems players in High School.

Photo:
Angel Bunner, seen here in 2012 after her years as a starter at SEC Auburn University playing for the pro-league Carolina Diamonds. Her career included the Chicago Bandits, USSSA pride, and several college coaching roles.

03/08/2026

Great way to spend a Sunday morning. Special thanks to Powher Pitch coaches Cheryl and Gretchen for working with these gifted young ladies. Future is bright.

02/15/2026

Pennsbury HS freshman Paige Fidishun Ranked by Extra Inning Softball for Class of 2029... hard work pays off!!

02/14/2026

02/03/2026

Our January post outlined the forthcoming years’ worth of topics that our Pennsbury Gems 50th Anniversary. This month’s topic is a brief summary of the PAA Ladies Auxiliary and the creation of the PAA Girls Softball.

Minutes of the PAA Board and its PAA Ladies Auxiliary from 1968 through early 1973 were preserved and passed on, first to PAA Commissioner Bo Burkhead and then to Frank Ehrenfeld who served as Vice Commissioner of Softball for many years by Ginny Napolitano. Ginny, the wife of long-tenured PHS Baseball Coach Vic Napolitano was an active leader in all things PAA along with several other local women, often mothers of sons in PAA.

The PAA was a well-organized group with minutes and records of all activities. These energetic women had roles that included: (a) the annual wash and repair of all PAA uniforms (yep, re-used annually), (b) managing “the Hut” or Concession Building that had been located between Charles Boehm and Pennwood Schools, (c) coordinating numerous fundraising activities to benefit the PAA, and (d) assembling, typing, and mailing a monthly newsletter to all 400 PAA families.

The Ladies Auxiliary petitioned the PAA Board to provide softball for girls in 1970 and 1971. The PAA Board turned down that request. In 1972, the Auxiliary threatened to refuse to run the concession stand until softball was available. The men allowed them to boycott and ran the concession stand for one week before exploring food trucks and other options. By late April, the PAA reversed its decision and agreed to provide softball for girls. Hence girls softball came to PAA.

When we celebrate in June with current and former Gems players, coaches, and parents, we’ll provide details of this dynamic and dramatic beginning. This anniversary celebration will also be featured in a podcast by Extra Inning Softball, the NFCA, and the publications of both organizations.

One of the oldest continuous fastpitch organizations in the country, we will be celebrating this milestone with a series of special social media posts and activities all culminating in an in-person celebration likely on June 20 at the 46th Annual Pennsbury Invitational Tournament.

Next Month – History Part 2, First Travel teams

01/16/2026

Happy New Year... and Happy 50th Anniversary to our Pennsbury Gems. One of the oldest continuous fastpitch organizations in the country, we will be celebrating this milestone with a series of special social media posts and activities all culminating in an in-person celebration likely on June 20 at the 46th Annual Pennsbury Invitational Tournament. Some of the highlights over these next months include...

Jan – Intro 50th Anniversary
Feb – History 101, PAA Ladies Auxiliary
Mar – History Part 2, First Travel teams
Apr – Current Gems in College
May – Current Gems in High School
Jun – Gems By-the-Numbers, Celebration Event
Jul – In the Recruiting Process; 50 year reflection
Aug – Gems: Balance of Athletics and Academics
Sep – Fall Ball and Gems Trivia
Oct – Gems: Former Player Highlights
Nov – Gems: In the classroom and community
Dec – Recap and upcoming NFCA Conference

So, check in for updates, spread the word, and get June 20 on your calendar for a celebration with current coaches, players, and yes, coaches and players from the past decades of Gems history!

01/04/2026

Congratulations Sydney Mahan for her commitment to Ursinus College where she will be continuing her academic and athletic career! Sydney’s journey started with her mom coaching her in tee ball at EGSA through 16u with the Ewing Edge. She is currently playing with the Pennsbury Gems 18U National Team for Coach Emma Konrad and Coach Andy Waskie. Sydney’s 4.5 GPA is well suited to her academic pursuit at Ursinus College where she will major in Health Sciences, with an eye towards a future in Physical Therapy. Sydney would like to thank all her past and current coaches for guiding her through this journey. Even though I am not committed for pitching, I also want to thank my pitching coach Roy Jenderko. In her own words, “I want to thank my parents, Jen and Tony, and my twin sister, Abbie, for standing by me and pushing me to become the athlete and student I am today. Finally, I want to thank Coach Taylor Gardner for the opportunity to play with her team and continue my career.” !