Warren Man Brings Professional Softball to the Northeast

Weather permitting, the NY/NJ Comets professional softball team will make its first home stand Friday, and Warren resident Michael Neuwirth will be sitting in the bleachers watching the crowd's reactions.

As the team's co-owner and manager, Neuwirth is hoping to see the crowd react not only to the game's fast pace and high-level of play, but also the enthusiasm of the players.

"I know once they see an action-packed game, they'll want to come back," Neuwirth said Thursday. The team's home opener was scheduled for Thursday against the Chicago Bandits at Provident Bank Park, in Pomona, N.Y—one of four home stadiums for the team, including TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater—but was rained out. 

The game will be the next step in Neuwirth's two year journey bringing professional fastpitch softball to the Northeast. The team picked up and open spot in the league and some of the players from the Carolina Diamondbacks team, which folded last year.

But working with a larger population base—and one that strongly supports softball—may be key to the team's success. Neuwirth also noted the help the team is getting from minor league MLB teams, such as the Somerset Patriots.

"The Patriots have been phenomenal," he said.

The relatively new league of professional fastpitch softball may seem an unlikely venture for someone like Neuwirth, who has a business background in insurance. But the former head of the Warren Baseball Softball League learned to love the game coaching his two daughters, and meeting with members of the U.S. Olympic softball team.

"Being a father of two daughters, I felt it was important to have role models for them," he said. And the players he met proved to be outstanding role models.

He contacted National Pro Fastpitch and asked why wasn't there a team in the Northeast. After talking to coaches and other franchise managers, he knew an opportunity existed.

"It was apparent to me that this is a tremendous softball market," he said.

Encouraged by strong early ticket sales for the Comets, Neuwirth said he's getting excited about the season.

Now all he needs is a break in the weather.

The Comets will play at TD Bank Ballpark June 21 and June 22, facing the Akron Racers (tickets are available online). The team is also scheduled to play the USSSA Pride on June 29, which will be broadcast on ESPN. For the complete National Pro Fastpitch schedule, check the Comets' website.