ADAMS Mass. -- The Adams Lassie League at noon on June 2 will place a memorial plaque at Russell Field in Adams for Margaret "Peg" Leavitt, who passed away last year. 

 

Leavitt was one of the founders of the Adams Lassie League; she excelled in school, was a terrific athlete and blazed a trail for future generations of female athletes.

 

She played a wide range of sports throughout her life, including semi-professional basketball and softball (even batting once against the famous pitcher, Joan Joyce, who later struck out Ted Williams). She was also on the national field hockey team in the 1960s.

 

Graduating from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a degree in physical education, she went on to teach physical education and coach women's basketball, soccer, track & field and cheerleading for more than 20 years at South Hadley High School as well as Hoosac Valley High School. She mentored and coached scores of young women, many of whom went on to become college athletes and coaches themselves.

 

“If you knew her or have a love for softball or support women in sports, please feel free to attend this memorial ceremony and plaque installation,” Adams Lassie League Administrative Director Corey Bishop said.

 

“This will be the first time a woman has been recognized that we know of with a fixed memorial in the Town of Adams for accomplishments in sport.”