Sports Editor

When the leaves begin to turn brown, it usually means fall has officially arrived and it’s time to get ready for football season.

Or is it?

According to Vaughn Daniels, Troy Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director, the people in the Troy community has shown great interest in forming a fall softball and baseball league.

And what the people of Troy wants, TPRD is there to give it to them.

"I think there has been more interest shown toward baseball and softball simply because of the success our tournament teams had this year," Daniels said.

Following the regular 2000 Troy Recreation League season, the Troy Dixie Belles, Dixie Minor National Team and 14-year-old Dixie Boys’ Team all won district championships and advanced to state.

Daniels said the focus of the fall league would be more on instruction then in actual competition.

"We are trying to get players that are moving up from one league to the next," said Daniels. "Pre-Minor to Minor, Dixie Youth to Dixie Boys, etc. There are a lot of different rule variations between the leagues."

One example Daniels used was for a player moving up from Dixie Youth to Dixie Boys. In Dixie Youth a player can only steal bases once the pitch has reached home plate.

"Now let’s say you’re a 13-year-old moving into Dixie Boys and you don’t know how to get a lead off on the base since you can steal, Those are the type of things that we want to get those kids prepared for."

But Daniels said TPRD was primarily trying to get "kids who wanted to play" in order to get the league firmly established.

"We are also going to need coaches," he said. "And once the season begins, we are going to try and bring various coaches in from the Pike County area to hold special instructional sessions."

Daniels mentioned Charles Henderson High School head softball coach Steve Haug as a possible instructor, as well as Troy State softball coach Melanie Davis. For Baseball, names that come to mind are TSU baseball coach John Mayotte and CHHS coach Steve Garrett.

"Many of the coaches could come in and instruct the kids on just one area of the game, such as the fundamentals of bunting or base running, etc.," Daniels said.

Daniels said he would also like to put more emphasis on fastpitch softball in the fall league.

"We need people to come out during this league and work with our pitchers, people who know how to fastpitch," he said.

Daniels also said the fall softball and baseball league would

benefit the city and county school

system.

"Having a league like this will make our area softball and baseball high school teams better," he said.

Registration for the softball and baseball league is now being held at the TPRD main office. Deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 18 and there

is a registration fee of $10. The fall league is open for all children ages 8-14.