Beyond the Field

Angela (Ang) Lignelli, one of Immaculate Conception High School’s star softball players, has committed to Adelphi University. She began her softball career at age five, because her dad encouraged her to follow in his baseball footsteps. Ever since she was young, she fell in love with the sport and it slowly became a huge part of her life. Between her club, school, and future college team, she practices everyday after and sometimes even before school. In addition, Ang also goes to the gym about three times a week and then has to balance her school commitments as well. I asked her how she is able to balance this seemingly impossible schedule along with a full day of school five days a week, and she explained how when she gets a task, she does it immediately. Whether that is during lunch or in between practice, she gets it done so she can free up her time in the afternoon and night.

While softball takes up a majority of her life, it isn’t the only thing that Ang is passionate about. On the rare occasion she has free time, Ang enjoys cooking, going to sporting events, hanging out with her friends and family, and doing cardio workouts. She also likes to do math, which is part of the reason she is pursuing an accounting career for college. It is also very important to her that she stays involved in school with activities such as being on the Ambassador Executive Board and being part of clubs. At a point, this seems like too much. But to her, it keeps her busy and her days are a little unpredictable.

Since softball has become such a pivotal activity in her life, I wanted to know what the sport meant to her. “Softball means everything to me, it has taught me life lessons, brought me closer to friends and family, and is helping pay for college. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” With a passion as strong as hers, some may wonder if she is planning to play professionally in the future. To my surprise, she does not. As to why, she responded with “My body is slowly breaking down, and they don’t get paid as much as they should. At a certain point, I know this is gonna end and I have completely accepted that.”

With all of the skills she learned on the field, Ang hopes the ability to strategize and work as a team will translate as well in a classroom or office setting. While her softball career may be coming to an end soon, the memories, lessons, and strengths will forever be a part of her and her life. It is important that she is multi-talented and not known just for her softball skills, but her character and commitment as well.

-Alanna W.

Class of 2020