THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507250133
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
WHEN MOST KIDS are heading down to the beach or working part-time jobs, the Beach District softball players are minding the diamond.
Just two weeks after high school ball ends - a little more if their team doesn't make the region playoffs - the girls lace up their cleats and oil their gloves for summer league.
Under the direction of Princess Anne coach Dennis Nixon, the Beach District has found a way to play softball year-round.
The summer and fall leagues, run under the National Softball Association flag, aren't affiliated with the Virginia High School League or the school system, giving players and coaches more flexibility when it comes to the rules.
``I thought the kids needed to be playing in the summer,'' said Nixon, who is also the director of the NSA and runs tournaments for men's, women's, coed and church leagues. ``It keeps 'em playing ball.
``The boys, they have American Legion and other leagues. Nobody's ever done anything for the girls. I don't think the girls get what they should. The boys get everything.''
Each of the six teams - there were eight last summer - bat with 10 players, including both an extra hitter, who can take the field at any time, and a designated hitter. To participate, players must be of junior high or high school age. In addition to those rule changes, Nixon plans to implement the international tie breaker rule in the fall, where in the case of a tie, each team bats with a runner already at second base.
Bayside coach Conrad Parker is a big fan of summer play and likes its flexibility as opposed to Little League.
``Teams are realizing that if you don't play, you're going to be behind,'' Parker said. ``Most of the girls are playing Little League ball, but in this league they're not restricted to how many innings they can pitch and such. The only problem I have with Little League is that they have too many rules. When kids get at this age, we want them playing this.''
Princess Anne pitcher Melissa Hirsch said year-round play has been a big reason the Cavaliers are among the top contenders at the Beach.
``It keeps everybody doing something and from not getting rusty,'' said Hirsch, who was named Beach District co-player of the year. ``We get ready for next season, especially the people coming up.''
Added Nixon: ``I still think it's the thing that got us over the hump. It was a confidence builder. They started believing.''
And if this summer was any indication of how strong Princess Anne will be when the season rolls around next spring, it's safe to bet they'll be on top of the pack again along with Bayside, which defeated the Cavaliers, 6-5, in the league championship.
Down 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh with two out, Bayside's Stephanie Morickle lined to right to spark the Marlins. Amy Hooks, who will play outfield for East Carolina next year, followed with a walk.
Hirsch blew two pitches by Amber Stout, but Stout beat out the throw to first on a dropped third strike by the Princess Anne catcher Beth LaGrecca.
In the confusion, Morickle scored, Hooks headed to third and Stout took second, bringing up slugger Dawn Bell. Hirsch loaded up the bases with an intentional walk before Tracy Berger knocked Hooks and Stout with a short line drive to center.
While the summer league gives the girls a chance to stay active during vacation, Nixon says the fall league is much more competitive.
``Now that't going to be awesome,'' he said.
He already has 14 teams lined up for a league that will run on Saturdays and Sundays following Labor Day. Nixon is expecting some of South Hampton Roads' best teams in addition to the Beach squads, including Western Branch, Nansemond River, Great Bridge and Churchland.
``All the good teams are coming,'' he said. ``I've had to shut some teams out.'' ILLUSTRATION: Bayside's Amy Hooks, playing for Bayside but bound for East
Carolina in the fall, draws a walk on a pitch in the dirt.
Photos by GARY KNAPP
Kellam pitcher Catherine Howard gazes into the outfield as a Bayside
hit drives in a runner rounding third base.
by CNB