The softball field for Red Bird Christian High School had seen no organized competition for three years until last spring when new teachers, Samantha Caldwell (’09) and Chesna Osborne (‘00), stepped forward to resurrect the women’s softball program. There were no wins in the 2014 season largely because skills had not been developed among younger players, but interest was cultivated in the sport. There’s plenty of softball action on the weekend now in an end-of-summer community softball league.
Samantha related how the idea of a league came about, “The League was an idea my fiancé, Jon North (‘09), had after being invited to join several leagues this summer in Lexington and Richmond. There isn’t a lot to do on the weekends in our community around Red Bird Mission, and we thought it would be a great opportunity to get the students, staff, and community out playing together. It would also be an easy fundraiser for both the softball team and the RBCS senior class.”
Financial resources are always limited at a small, private school like Red Bird, but these two resourceful teachers have formed a community softball league to raise money for the softball team, and provide another opportunity for young players to get playing time. The fees paid, $100 per team, or $10 per person, goes towards the softball team. Samantha explained where the fees will be used, saying, “We recently started our softball program back after a three year hiatus so we are desperately in need of equipment – bats, helmets, catcher’s equipment, balls, uniforms, etc.”
Samantha and Chesna are also working together this year as sponsors for the senior class, and they saw an opening in the league games for the seniors to earn some money. She said, ”We offered the senior class the opportunity to sell concessions at the games to earn extra money for their senior trip.”
Each team will play the other teams twice throughout the season that will culminate with a championship and trophy for the winner on September 13th. The four teams all have a mixture of staff, faculty, alumni, students, and community. Although the season is underway, others are invited to form a new team to join in the weekend fun and fellowship.
If you are interested in helping purchase equipment with a donation, mark your donation, “softball team equipment” or email Samantha – scaldwell@rbmission.org – or Chesna –cosborne@rbmission.org.
