The Hill – On a day where so many new things were on display for the first time, it was incredibly fun to see the Softball family 👪 reconnect with its past.
Yes, there was a 7-inning Softball game won 🏆 by team 2 but the details were not the lead story. Getting together for a few hours and sharing some laughs was the bigger focus point on a day where the Softball community raised money 💰 for those in our Area that have been devastated by the recent Hurricane 🌀.
The challenge for me was to navigate the festivities from start to finish from the Press Box and the highlight being getting to work alongside my Friend Kevin Burress.
Friends would be a common denominator for the afternoon. Our umpires were the two gentlemen who we call Casey & Combs. The men of the hour in regards to the drive 🚗 to building the Indoor Hitting Center. The third member of their Staff has dual citizenship between the programs as Adam Nester is both on the Baseball ⚾️ staff and the Son of Rick and Donna Nester.
We had younger Softball players, the Lady 👩 Cavaliers to be, selling 50/50 tickets 🎟 throughout the afternoon and they raised a pot of $280.00. Then a great act of kindness occurred when the winner 🏆donated her half of the money 💰 back 👏. Thank you Ms Spencer !
Not trying to list folks in any particular order here, just seeing if my memory is still intact after the weekend.
We held a Ceremonial First Pitch for any members of the 2015 State Championship team who could attend and we had three participants. Alexis Dalton, Katie Belton and Hannah Bourne headed to the mound together to toss out First pitches to three of the current players.
Next group to give props to is the current Lady 👩 Cavaliers Softball players. They were tasked with a variety of chores from start to finish, including playing the field during the Home Run Derby. They did a terrific job filling their roles throughout.
The Home Run Derby led off the official events as nine former players took their turn at trying hard to clear the fence while Coach Nester tossed the pitches.
Jena Davison (2017), Katie Belton (2018), Kristin Webb (2003), Misty Carson (2007) and Laiken Burress (2019) each joined a quartet of players from the Class of 2023 – Lauren Alley, Alyssa Nunn, Christian Goad and Macie Adkins for the Home Run Derby.
Katie Belton captured the Trophy 🏆after the Sudden Death portion of the competition. Lauren Alley did send one of the fence in the opening round and all involved had fun swinging for the fences!
Eleven current Student Athletes raised money 💰 for the Indoor Hitting Center through selling sponsorships to local businesses. Four Softball players and seven Baseball ⚾️ players sold enough that they were entered into a drawing for an Amazon Gift Card. Mason Q was the name on the ticket 🎟 that I pulled out of the bucket. Congratulations 👏👏👏 to all 11 that raised enough money to be entered into the drawing !!!
Velvet Creed Leonard was out and about throughout the afternoon. Kind Lady 👩 was taking photos 📷 from start to finish. Here is the one from the Home Run Derby !
Velvet has her entire days work out and available on Facebook !!
Here’s one that Laynie-Jo Leonard took of her Cool Mom with some of her Friends…
The dedicated Staff manning the Snack Bar :
The Toblers handling the Gate…
I will actually sneak one or two of the handful that I took early on before there was talking to do…
Next up – recognizing the Crowd. Thank You to all that came out to support both their Loved ones ❤ and the program ! It was greatly appreciated by everyone who was participating. Special Thanks to those who interacted with me when I needed the help!
Tammy Quesenberry was out there trying to help sell baked goods and our Principal Mr Chuck Thompson was part of the crowd as well.
Now for the Alumni players in the game above the nine players who competed in the Home Run Derby.
The number should be 10 and I will apologize in advance if I get any of the Spelling wrong as its not a typed list. If there is a mistake, PLEASE let me know so I can correct it.
Ingle Miller, Jaclyn Gallimore, Johanah Gallimore and Deana Burcham eached played on Team #1.
Rebecca Harris, Eden Harrison, Regan Halsey, Jessica Martin and Hannah Bourne eached played on Team #2
Tossed that last one in just for Fun as it helps document the effort.
Coach Nester announced that next September 👀 will be the target for the next Alumni game.
Wednesday night (October 9th) will be the Father 👨 Daughter Softball game starting around 6:30. Coach has plans to grill burgers 🍔 and Hot Dogs 🌭 after the game !
Now, hopefully you know a little bit more about our afternoon of Fun at Cavalier Park ! Please report any aches and pains later today…
Will close it up with six more from Velvet…
Have yourself a Blessed Day !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 