Thursday, July 14, 2011
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Thursday, July 14, 2011 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
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Fielder’s Choice Keep up good work People who work with our children have a special place in my heart. Perhaps that’s because I started coaching youth baseball the first summer after graduating from high school. Last week I had a chance to do some newspaper work in the heat and see some good folks volunteering their time to help our young people. Thursday afternoon, I drove to Batesville for the opening game of the Dizzy Dean State Tournament for the Marshall County 10-year-old girls all-star softball squad. A smiling coach Chad Smith greeted me, and said, “Hey! What are you doing here?” I replied, “I’m going to take some photos for the newspaper. Good luck.” “Thanks for coming,” he replied. It was lots of fun, watching the Marshall Heat give an all-out effort versus Hernando. The girls were hot – often needing water and wet rags to their faces. But they never gave up. For the most part, the parents and fans were very supportive of the coaches. Remember, these coaches are volunteers, and these players are young children. They’re going to make mistakes, but they’re the ones on the field doing the work. Cheer for them. Encourage them. For photos from the game, see this week’s sports section. It has been another busy spring and summer for youth teams. Thanks to all who volunteer their time to coach, be a team mother, umpire, organize games, work the concession stand or whatever the task. And thanks to those businesses, individuals and industries who sponsor teams. You are all appreciated. Saturday morning, I was at Sam Coopwood Park in Holly Springs for the Lester/Rice Youth Football Camp (photos coming in a future edition of The South Reporter). A host of adults, led by Brian Lester and Eric Rice, were teaching a group of about 25 boys some fundamental football skills, while also building character. And they were all doing a lot of sweating. Saturday was one of the hottest days of the summer thus far. I saw lots of smiles – on the faces of the kids and the coaches. More than anything else, they were having fun. Later Saturday, I snapped a photo outside Wal-Mart. The men of Omega Psi Phi – Psi Rho Chapter – were hosting a “Fill Up the Bus Back 2 School Drive (photo in this week’s or a later South Reporter).” The men were passing out school supply lists to customers and asking them to make purchases and help fill the bus. A Holly Springs School District bus was parked on site. It was an outstanding effort in helping children who cannot afford school supplies. And believe it or not, the start of a new school year is just around the corner. These men were taking up their Saturday “free time” to toast in the summer sun and support Holly Springs’ young people. This is just a sampling of the excellent work going on around Marshall County with our children. Summer Youth Camp wrapped up last week, too, at the Eddie L. Smith Multi-Purpose Building in Holly Springs with good participation. And there have been basketball camps, Vacation Bible Schools, football camps, church camps and more. It’s been said many times – our children are our future. |
     
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