In Hamilton, New York, on a quiet softball field wrapped in every shade of blue, something greater than a playoff game was happening. It wasn’t just a semifinal. It was a tribute to Isidora Katana.
Blue was her favorite color, and on Friday night, the stands were covered in it.
Izzy, sometimes known as Isidora, played softball for Hamilton as a freshman. She received two hits in a quarterfinal victory just days prior. That evening, eager for the upcoming games, she texted her cousin.
She went to bed after that and didn’t wake up.
She had no recognized medical conditions. Her passing was unexpected, tragic, and inexplicable.
However, Izzy’s presence? That remained. Not for her colleagues, her team cousins, or even their opponents.
Schools that used to oppose Izzy, such Morrisville, Eaton, Oriskany, and Sackets Harbor, now supported her.
“We perform for them. We back them. “We adore them,” remarked one opponent.
Honoring Isadora Catania
Because grief doesn’t wear team colors in a tiny town. Like family, it spreads.
Her name was printed on the Emerald Knights’ shirts. The number 18 was all over.
Their knees were covered by black armbands. Before the first pitch, gloves were held high in the air.
Before getting on the team bus, one cousin broke down in tears, but both cousins participated since that’s what Izzy would have done.
And the emotions came back as her cousin Adriana caught the last out.
Hamilton prevailed 17–0. It wasn’t just a victory, though. There was more to it.
Her cousin remarked, “Dad, we’re going to play like everyone is Izzy.” “We will win for ourselves, love one another, and support one another.”
Zack Darrow, the coach, asked his squad if they wanted to continue playing. “Yes,” they said.
They chose love. They chose strength.
They chose to finish what Izzy started.
And now, with one more game to go, Hamilton and Isidora are still.
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