SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The High Sierra Softball League held its opening ceremonies on Sunday, the official start to the 2026 season, with 150 players in four divisions. The ceremonies were held at Soroptimist Stadium at South Tahoe Middle School, a ball field that has been renovated with new dugouts, bleachers, scoreboard and parking lot.
After the girls and their coaches rimmed the infield, the opening day pitch was thrown out by Gabriella Lancelotti to her father, Charles, in honor of her sister Giada, who died after being hit by a car in June 2025. Gabriella and her dad returned to the league for a sport in which Giada was very active.
High Sierra Softball has dedicated the season to Giada. They presented the family with a check for $1,000 during the ceremony, made out to the Live Like Giada Memorial Scholarship Foundation. Live Like Giada, or LLG, is on all players’ pink sweatshirts this season.
The season begins on Monday at South Tahoe High School. The girls have games Monday through Thursday evenings, and all day Sundays.
The four divisions – Minis, Farm, Minors, and Majors – are for ages 5-17. Each team has one coach, one assistant coach, and other parent volunteers throughout the league.
This year, the league was able to provide ten scholarships thanks to donations that also support registration fees.
On Friday, April 24, there will be a fundraiser at Little Beans Ice Cream inside Cascade Kitchen in South Lake Tahoe, where a “takeover” is planned. A portion of sales go the High Sierra Softball.
