Bridge Play Team New York Makes History at International Softball Tournament in the British Virgin Islands

Invited by the British Virgin Islands and Edge Reloaded, New York Women’s Team Becomes the First from New York to Compete in the 4th Torneo Clásico Internacional

Bridge Play Team New York takes the field in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, May 2026. | Photo: Capture the Moment

NEW YORK, NY — Bridge Play Team New York made history earlier this month, becoming the first New York women’s team to compete in the 4th Torneo Clásico Internacional. Invited by the British Virgin Islands and The Edge Reloaded, the team traveled to Road Town, Tortola for a four-day competition held May 13–17, 2026, representing their city and community on an international stage.

The trip was made possible through Bridge Play Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating competitive opportunities for women 18 and older who are no longer in college — a stage of life that, for most female athletes, marks the end of organized team competition. Recognizing this gap, Bridge Play Foundation found a new stage for these women: an international one.

The roster featured women — most of them from the Bronx, New York — drawn from ADW League and the Bridge Play Women’s Softball League, which plays out of Macombs Dam Park in the shadow of Yankee Stadium. Many had not played fastpitch softball in years, and some had never played at all. Together they made a 12-hour journey each way: flying from JFK to St. Thomas, then boarding a ferry to Tortola. Once on the field, they competed against teams from the BVI, the Dominican Republic, and St. Thomas. Bridge Play Team New York opened against the BVI national team, falling 6–1, before bouncing back with a commanding 9–3 victory over the Dominican Republic. They closed the tournament in a hard-fought 4–2 battle against St. Thomas.

“This was bigger than softball. To take a group of women, many who hadn’t played fast pitch in years — and some who had never played at all — and step onto an international stage representing New York and our community was truly special. And to make history as the FIRST New York women’s team to ever participate in this event makes it even more meaningful.”

— Rosana “Rosy” Fernandez, Manager of the Bridge Play Team New York

The milestone was made possible through the collective effort of players, coaches like Alfie Ramos, Rafael "Bomba Capital" Ramirez, Willy Ramirez Rosana "Rosy" Fernandez and Katrina Semey, Bridge Play Foundation, and a community that showed up in every sense of the word. Back in the Bronx, local restaurants pulled up the live stream on their TVs, turning their dining rooms into watch parties where customers and neighbors alike gathered to cheer the team on in real time — proof that while the team was thousands of miles away in Tortola, the Bronx never left their side.

To support Bridge Play Foundation and help create future opportunities for women athletes, visit [www.bridgeplay.org].

Special Thanks

Bridge Play Team New York would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the British Virgin Islands and The Edge Reloaded for their extraordinary hospitality and for making this experience possible. Edge Reloaded is a visionary organization that has built something truly special — a space where women's and men's teams from the Caribbean and beyond can gather every year to compete, connect, and celebrate the game they love. It is because of their partnership, their dedication, and their belief in this tournament that we were able to stand on that field and make history. Thank you for opening your doors and your hearts to us.

We are also eternally grateful to the incredible community that rallied behind us every step of the way. To Capture the Moment for always being present and capturing the memoried that will last a life time. To Legends Softball Corp — your unwavering, continuous support across everything we do means more than words can express. To Olivia Restaurant, a beloved staple of the Bronx softball community — thank you for showing up for us. To ADW Softball League — thank you for believing in our journey and lending your support when it mattered most. And to La Silla Caliente TV — thank you for amplifying our story, for the outpour of love, and for trusting our vision and sharing it with the world.

None of this would have been possible without each and every one of you. We are honored, humbled, and eternally grateful.

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About Bridge Play Foundation

Bridge Play Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive recreational sports programs and opportunities for underserved youth and adults. As a fully established nonprofit, its commitment to fostering community engagement, promoting healthy lifestyles, and creating equitable access to sports is stronger than ever. The Foundation believes that sports and recreation have the power to bridge gaps, unify communities, and empower individuals to thrive — and the women of Bridge Play Team New York are proof of that.