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for immediate release: 6
November, 2003
Scarafile
Becomes First Woman Inducted
When Scarafile’s name joins 10 other Cape League Hall of Fame inductees Saturday at the Chatham Bars Inn, however, she’ll be honored for her endless hours of work and dedication, not for her gender. And that’s exactly how she likes it. “Throughout my career, I’ve always wanted to be judged based on my performance, not my gender,” said Scarafile, who’s beginning her 13th year as Cape League president. “I’m extremely proud and very humbled. I’m proud for all women that will follow.” Scarafile joins fellow inductees Sean Casey of the Cincinnati Reds and Carlos Pena of the Detroit Tigers, former major league slugger Cory Snyder, hard-hitting infielder Ron Perry, Jr., former CCBL manager Jack McCarthy, former hurlers Ed Baird, Noel Kinski and Joe Jabar; slugger Jim Perkins and former player/coach/administrator Pat Sorenti. In 34 years of service, beginning as an official scorer in 1970 while a student at the University of Connecticut and culminating for the past 13 years as league president, Scarafile has left her mark. “It is going to be unbelievable to have my name at Heritage Museum alongside so many great names,” she said. “It’s almost overwhelming.” Just as overwhelming may be her rise through the Cape League ranks. After her stint in 1970 as official scorer, Scarafile eventually served as publicity assistant to Cape League Hall of Fame charter member Dick Bresciani. She then was named league publicist, secretary, deputy commissioner, vice president and then finally, in 1991, was elected to her current post as league president. “It just kind of grew, and then just kept on growing,” she said. She became the league’s first director of corporate development and has led the way to attaining more than 30 corporate sponsors, yielding a $435,000 annual budget. In 2000, the league was presented with the “Pride in Cape Cod Award” by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. The honor is given to the volunteer organization that makes the biggest beneficial economic impact on the area. “It really put us on the map with local businesses,” she said. “That was a very proud night.” Scarafile is proud of the July 2000 contest between the Cape League All-Stars and Team USA. The two teams fought to a 12-inning, 2-2 tie in front of more than 9,000 people, the largest crowd in league history. Amid talk of her rise and personal achievement, Scarafile is quick to remind that she has had help along the way. “I would never call anything my achievement,” she said. “We’ve got a great team working together to make things happen.” After 34 years, Scarafile said she simply can’t imagine a life away from the Cape Cod Baseball League. “It’s such a major part of my life,” she said. Scarafile’s husband Peter is vice president of the Hyannis Mets, which only adds to the dinner conversation and baseball life she leads, be it Cape League conversation or Red Sox vs.Yankees banter. “We talk baseball a lot. It’s great,” she said. “My whole family talks baseball. My husband’s whole family talks baseball.” While she’s been passionate about the game since her youth, Scarafile’s wings have spread to other parts of the Cape. She serves as a hospital pharmacist and is a trustee of the Yawkey Foundation. She’s a Red Cross disaster volunteer and works with Cape Cod Stranding (whales) Network. Scarafile is no stranger to being honored. In 2002 she was named Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. She has also received the Clara Barton Award by the American Red Cross, and was chosen by USA Baseball as the Amateur Baseball Woman of the Year.
John Garner, Jr. |