We all too frequently get so busy with softball—making it to the practices and games, traveling to the tournaments and showcases and looking towards the next big thing—that we don’t stop nearly enough to appreciate the journey.

The tragedy of Amanda Stockman’s death three weeks ago stopped us in our tracks.  It was shocking that this 2018 infielder from New York and a member of the Jersey Intensity program was suddenly taken from us and we all felt like a part of our family—certainly our softball family—left us all too soon.

In the midst of the shock and heartache that no one should ever have to endure, the Stockman family started the Amanda Stockman Scholarship Fund and we’re happy to report that the desired goal of $15,000 has just been reached.

But is our hope that the softball community will continue to honor this wonderful young lady by continuing to contribute to this great cause and will double or even triple the amount initially hoped for.

If you would like to contribute to her scholarship fund, you can do it from the link above or make a check out and send it to:
Amanda Stockman Scholarship Fund
PO Box 26
Avon by the Sea NJ 07717

The Stockman family reached out to FloSoftball through the Jersey Intensity organization and wanted us to let everyone know of its “genuine appreciation for the emotional and financial support of Amanda Stockman’s passing.”

Here is the full text of the letter from John Stockman and the entire family, which also includes Amanda’s five sisters…

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AMANDA STOCKMAN    
March 11, 2000 – September 23, 2015



There is no way to fully express our gratitude for the outpouring of loving support, kind words and inspirational messages everyone from around the country has sent after Amanda’s passing.  

We can’t begin to express how emotionally moved we are that our baby girl has touched so many lives in so many positive ways and did so in just 15 years.  

In time we’ll come to fully accept she’s with God in his majestic kingdom.  

But until that time comes, we can’t help to be a little selfish and wish she was here on Earth with all of us playing softball, basketball, enjoying movie night with her sisters, and those special moments that she kept close in her heart.  

As we all know too well, this world seems to be spinning into turmoil and chaos.  Brother against brother, country against country, religion against religion.  We see it on the news, read about on the Internet and hear it on the radio.  

So much hate and bad will toward one another.  

But through these current events we saw sincere love and compassion for one another. Amanda’s death brought us—all of us—together in love, peace, joy, happiness and sorrow.  

It’s too bad that all too often it takes the loss of a beloved one to remind us what’s truly important in life.

My family and I ask if you can only take one thing away from this tragic loss, it would be to slow down in life, help one another and love your sons and daughters, forever reminding them there’s nothing in life that is so bad they couldn’t come to you and talk about it.  

The outpouring of love and support our family received will always be cherished and rest deep within our hearts.

God bless each and every one of you.

The Stockman Family
John, Kathy, Kelly, Danielle, Shannon, Amanda #32 in spirit, Kristin and Mary