Fielder’s Choice

Back in 2006, when I was involved as a parent and a volunteer in the Marshall County Dizzy Dean League, I wrote in this space with a headline, “City park alive.”

According to what I’ve seen and heard from those involved in 2019, it may be even more alive now.

The postseason baseball and softball tournament was held at Sam Coopwood Park the past couple of weeks. And before, there were league games regularly throughout the week and on Saturdays.

I visited a few times, and I’ve tried to keep photos in the newspaper of the youngsters playing the games and having fun at the ball park – in Holly Springs and Potts Camp.

It was a delight to see all four ball fields at Sam Coopwood Park so busy. The parking lots were full. Parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles were on hand supporting the children.

And by the way, the fields and the park itself looked better than ever. I had more than one person comment to me, who had just passed by on Highway 4 East, about the beauty of the facility. Thank you, City of Holly Springs and its workers.

The players and the fans came from all parts of the county. If they didn’t know each other, they got to know each other.

A lot of the success of this league the past 15 years or so is all about unity. It tears down walls. If we want harmony, it must start with our youth. Teamwork starts at a young age and continues a lifetime.

This league is about bringing folks together from the various communities. It’s about children being children, loving their teammates and enjoying themselves. And it’s about parents being parents, loving their own children and all the other children on their team and other teams.

It’s about the coaches, who give of their time, without pay, to not only teach the children the fundamentals of baseball and softball, but also quickly become someone these children can look up to and respect.

This season, thanks to the dedication of a lot of people, was another huge one in the success of this league.

Headlining the efforts again this year was a lady who never ceases to amaze me when it comes to dedication to this league and its children – Janice Wagg. I was blessed to meet Janice and her husband Doug shortly after my move to Holly Springs in 1991 because of initial meetings to organize a county-wide youth baseball and softball league. Holly Springs wanted to get organized and focused in 2019, so they called the right person.

And Janice will be the first to tell you, she did not do it alone. It was a group effort.

What one parent wrote via Facebook sums it up best.

“I just have to say again that in seven seasons of three boys playing ball, that this year by far is the most organized and enjoyable as far as the Holly Springs park goes. The teams were correct, the coaches were enthusiastic and wonderful, the uniforms were great and on time, the fields were always cut, the lights were on, the concessions were always open, and the umpires were always there on time. It’s just unprecedented. It makes me proud of our little town to have everybody here in the evenings cheering on our babies.”

Amen!