Fielder's Choice

I’ve been sitting in this editor’s seat for almost 21 years, and I’ve said over and over and over again that one of the best things going in Marshall County is the Dizzy Dean Baseball league.

There have been times it has hit snags, including this year. And the snags are disappointing.

But I don’t want to preach on the snags. We need to work through those issues as adults — somehow — by putting our children in the forefront.

I want to preach on the benefits.

Our children need things to do. They need exercise. They need fun.

And they need opportunities right here at home — not in DeSoto County or Tippah County or Lafayette County.

But that doesn’t top the list of assets.

This league brings Marshall Countians together — from every single community across the county.

The diversity at the ball park is special. These youngsters become teammates. They become friends, including players from different teams. The parents form bonds, too.

The countywide league took shape in the first few years I moved here. I only had a tiny part in it but I’ve never been a part of anything else so rewarding.

I loved coaching. My children loved playing. The good times were great.

Seeing the kids and the parents from every community in Marshall County together at the ballpark is special.

If we need anything in this county, we need togetherness.

Marshall County and its municipalities have to invest more in their children.

We start looking around for projects to spend money on, and where do our children rank in those choices?

I’d like to pitch an idea to our Marshall County Board of Supervisors.

The Marshall County Fairgrounds is a super nice facility. But there’s space for more.

Let’s build some ball fields. Let’s make it a really, really nice sports complex ­ like other ones in nearby cities and/or counties.

Kudos to those communities in our county who are having youth baseball and softball this spring. I applaud you.

Here’s hoping next year, one league countywide will take shape — again.

I’m biased on this topic.

As an 11-year-old kid growing up in rural Alabama, having the opportunity to participate in youth baseball had a tremendous influence on my life.

And it wasn’t easy.

My dad died at age 10. My mother worked all day.

We had to figure out a way for me to get practice, and sometimes games. But we did it. My mother knew how much I wanted to participate. She made it happen.

Some of the teammates I met then are still my friends today. And I will be 61 years old in August.

Let’s do what’s best for our young people in this county — whether it’s sports or some other worthwhile cause.

They’re our future, and we need to be helping to influence them for the better while they are young. Let’s teach them that we can all get along.

Let’s teach them that teamwork, be it in sports, government, economic development or whatever, usually proves to produce the best results.