We love our staff here at DASHA. They are a diverse group and all have such different dynamic backgrounds that we felt we had to create an opportunity for them to share with our readers. Plus, it’s nice to know who’s working on you when you come in to see us!
I’m just going to ask you a few questions about recreational sports. What sports do you play?
I mostly play tennis & softball. Those are the main two. With softball I’m actually on a team, tennis is just recreational for me. I enjoy it and you know other stuff [I play too] if I can find the time. Basketball too, I’m not good at it but I just like sports.
So with softball, that’s more of an organized activity for you. Do you participate with a family group or a sponsored team?
It’s a group of friends.
How long have you been playing Softball?
I started [playing] my freshman year of high school. I played wiffle ball before that in junior high, [but] I had never played softball prior to that year. I tried out for the team and actually made varsity. As a freshman, it was hard because they were all seniors but somehow I made it. I played on the varsity team all four years.
Were there any memorable moments from that first year?
Somehow I held my own. [I] even got my first grand slam, freshman year. My name was on the PA and after that I was no longer known as “Antanella’s sister.” I had my own name as a freshman. Softball actually has stuck with me since then.
What position did you play? What position do you play now?
I played second [base] & center [field]. These days I actually play first [base] and left [field].
Left field, that’s where they put the good players right?
[Yes] well because most batters are righties.
I played one year and they stuck me in right field. I was horrible.
Well right fielders pretty much don’t get much unless there’s a leftie at bat. So you had a nice time? [laughs]
That one year was enough for me. So what has motivated you to play now, beyond high school?
What motivates me is actually my sanity. Softball can actually be stressful only because, you know, you want to do your best. So, when I’m up at bat my heart is pounding. When I’m in left field and I know there’s a good hitter [at bat], my heart’s pounding. It’s a little bit stressful but it’s the good kind of stress. It’s the stress I accept.
So there’s good stress?
It’s the type of stress that motivates you to do better and prove yourself to your team.
As a massage therapist, do you ever incorporate your knowledge and expertise in that area into the sport?
Ironically that actually brings me to how I became a massage therapist. My freshman year [on the softball team], the day after my first practice I literally could not move. I was completely sore and I remember having my teachers let me out of class a few minutes early because I could barely walk to my next class on time. [When I got home that day] my aunt, who is a gifted massage therapist, massaged me. That was my first massage at [the age of] 13. The next day, I swear, I felt like 80% better. I’m like I want to do that! So I just started massaging my team mates and they started complimenting me. After a while I thought I might have an eye for this. Even to this day, the compliments kind of motivate me. So anyway I thought ‘maybe I really have an eye for this.’ Ironically that same year, my social studies teacher was studying to become a massage therapist! I sat in on one of her classes at the Swedish Institute. One thing just led to another and by my sophomore year I knew what I wanted to do after high school. Softball actually integrated me into becoming a massage therapist.
Very cool. Do you have any pre-game rituals prior to each match?
No. I should do warm-ups. Honestly, my warm up is just talking to myself and giving myself positive reinforcement.
Where do you go to celebrate after winning a match?
Because we play for a recreational league (there are six teams total) we get along with everyone so it’s a win/win. We have sponsors so depending on whoever sponsors each particular game we go there. For the most part they are in the city, but sometimes they’re in Queens. Fortunately & unfortunately, I don’t drink. So, I don’t go out every time. The days are long (softball games are about 3 hours), so it depends on if it’s a Saturday or Sunday game.
For you softball is a stress relief activity. We have many who come into DASHA with assorted ailments & are looking for a way to improve or maintain them. Would you say sports are a good outlet for them to relieve their stress?
I do. A lot of people that come in for physical therapy, you tell them to do these exercises and these stretches. However many of them, like myself, don’t like traditional exercise. They don’t like working out. Especially after a 10 hour day [of work] the last thing I want to do is go to the gym. So by playing softball, tennis, or any kind of sport you actually are working out but you don’t realize it because you’re having fun. It’s a work out without actually “working out” and it feels great.
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