Fredonia Lady ‘Billies assistant softball coach Tim Wright is pictured at the beginning of a 53 second long video the team created earlier this week.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the Fredonia Lady ‘Billies softball team has “gone viral” in a much more positive way.

The Lady ‘Billies created and shared a video in which players and coaches pass a softball from one player to the next in various ways. From hitting, tossing and catching the ball, to even putting it in a mail box and a washing machine, all to the tune of John Fogerty’s hit “Centerfield”, the Lady ‘Billies showcased their own unique touch on teamwork.

The idea to create the video began with Kelly Gullo, a senior on the Lady ‘Billies, who saw a similar video done by Iroquois. She shared the idea in a group chat with teammates and coaches, and within a couple of days, the idea became a fully finished product.

“Everyone jumped right on it. We’re all sitting around looking for something to do, so it took off immediately. I threw my game stuff on and went right to it,” said Fredonia coach Jesse Beers, who is shown in the video “receiving” the ball like a snap from assistant coach Tim Wright, who began the 53 second video. Coach Beers then throws the ball off screen, at which point the baton is passed to the players to finish off the video.

Coach Beers credits senior Caelin Holt for creating the finished product. “Caelin Holt pieced it all together,” he said. “Everyone texted their part in it to her and she put it together right away.”

How’s your team handling quarantine? Fredonia Varsity Softball is still hoping for a season! @FredoniaHSathl1 @DemFredBoys @NYGovCuomo pic.twitter.com/ioMc3ZIEjK

Head coach Jesse Beers

— Caelin Holt (@Caelin_13) April 9, 2020

The video has since spread across the community on Facebook and has even been submitted to WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo.

Coach Beers feels the video provided a great distraction from all of the disappointment from not being able to have the spring season as originally scheduled. Beers said the team group chat is designed more for checking on how his players are doing personally, rather than focusing on a possible season.

“We’ve been trying to keep in contact. We’re not so worried about game stuff, but more for morale. I’m just worried about them all outside of this,” Beers said.

Maddy Marsh

Coach Beers knows first-hand how challenging the emotions are for his players, as his daughter, Kazlin, is one of five seniors on the team this year. Coach Beers is disappointed by the possibility that his time coaching his daughter could be over already without one final season.

“I was really looking forward to coaching her one last time,” he said. “I’ve been coaching this group with her for so long, I thought this year would be a lot of fun.”

Kazlin Beers’ other passion besides softball is her love for horses, which she has been able to satisfy by visiting a local stable as a volunteer throughout the pandemic. She plans to attend SUNY Morrisville in the fall while working toward an Equine Therapy degree.

However, she and her father hope that journey is still one softball season away.

“I feel so bad for all five of our seniors, for all the other seniors around here, for the Dunkirk girls basketball team who earned the chance to play past sectionals who couldn’t see that journey end for themselves … just for everyone involved in all of this,” said Coach Beers. “It’s really a shame how much everyone is missing out on.”

Kazlin Beers