THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 1, 1994 TAG: 9406290137
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAN COOLEY, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
IT'S NOT JUST the Boys of Summer anymore. Drop by the two fields behind Sparrow Road Intermediate School, and you can see the Girls of Summer, too.
You can hear the typical ``Hey batter, batter'' or ``swing batter'' chatter. But the voices are a little higher, and there might even be a giggle or two.
And there are the cheers when a teammate reaches base and the high fives when a runner scores. But there is a little more hugging and jumping up and down.
This is happening not only in the Indian River-Greenbrier area, but throughout Chesapeake as well. Girls softball, sponsored by the city's Parks and Recreation Department, is in full swing and this league is one of several programs.
At these fields, games are played Monday through Thursday each week - at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. Each contest lasts 75 minutes or seven innings, whichever comes first, and fans can see five or six games each evening.
The season began June 18 and will continue through July 22.
``Our goal is to build teamwork, self-esteem and the confidence level of the girls,'' said Al Powers, president of the league. ``Above all, we want to provide good, clean, healthy and general all-around fun for them.''
To accomplish these goals, the city provides the umpires, playing fields, medical care and coaches. Volunteer organizations, such as the Indian River-Greenbrier Girls Softball Association (IRGGSA), supply the uniforms, concessions for players and fans, family day picnics, trophies to top teams in each of the five divisions and, of course, the players.
City and league officials teach sportsmanship, and there is no taunting of opponents and no cursing by either players or coaches. After a game - hard fought as it may have been - everyone shakes hands.
Chesapeake sees to it that all coaches are top flight. All must go through three years of training to be certified to coach in the league. Again, the goal is to make certain the girls learn the game right and have fun at the same time.
Charles Brown, 45, and John Grinels, 43, are prime examples. Brown has been coaching seven years while Grinels has been in it for six.
Both have daughters playing on their teams but agreed with the city's goals.
``We're trying to teach them to play the game properly,'' said Brown. ``Then they'll be ready for high school.''
However, there are women coaches, too. Beverly Dawson, 32, has been coaching seven years, and Janetta Johnston, 25, is a five-year veteran.
``I'm more concerned that they have fun than winning right now,'' said Johnston.
``Softball keeps them off the streets and away from drugs and alcohol,'' Dawson said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Heather Hammonds of the Reds watches the game from the dugout.
Above, Betty Sue Tolbert (24) and Katie Biddix (21) of the Reds
shadow each other while they listen to instructiions from their
coach. At right, Reds coach Ed Core helps Laila Ashant get herself
ready to blast the ball off the tee.
by CNB