A celebration of the 50th season of high school softball in West Hartford will be held at the annual Mayor’s Cup game on May 20, 2026.

Sports reporting is sponsored by Keating Agency Insurance

Former Conard coach Tom Verrengia and former Hall coach Danielle Smith. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

The 50th season of high school softball at West Hartford Public Schools is coming to a close, and that milestone will be celebrated just before the start of the annual Mayor’s Cup game between Conard and Hall on May 20, 2026.

Pam Moffo, head coach at Conard when the first softball season began in 1977, will be joined by former Hall head coach Kathy Sweetland to throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Moffo coached from 1977-79 and again from 1981-95. Sweetland coached from 1986-97.

Hall pitcher Sophie Garner-MacKinnon (Hall Class of 2022) threw an 18-strike no-hitter. Hall vs. New Canaan. Class LL first round softball tournament. May 31, 2022. Photo credit: Paul Palmer (we-ha.com file photo)

Mayor Shari Cantor will also be in attendance, and will present proclamations to both schools.

Moffo led her teams to 154 wins as Conard’s head coach. She also guided the team to its first league championship in 1985, when they shared the top spot in the CCC-West with Windsor. That year was the first year of the Central Connecticut Conference.

Conard catcher Sarah Allen (Conard Class of 2013). Courtesy photo

Sweetland was the longest tenured and winningest softball coach at Hall. Under her leadership, the team had 112 wins, and earned their only league title – winning the CCC-West in 1994.

Other former coaches, as well as team alumni and parents of former players are invited to attend the celebration.

This year’s Mayor’s Cup game will be played at Conard, with the ceremony planned for 3:30 p.m. and the first pitch scheduled for 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20.

Conard, 9-7, has qualified for the CIAC Class LL tournament. Hall, 7-11, is awaiting the results of their final two games – against Lewis Mills on Monday, May 18, and the Conard game on May 20 – before its tournament fate is determined.

Courtesy image

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