Baseball and softball games are back on the diamond with an abundance of joy exuding from the players and coaches to finally be at the ballpark along with fans.
The uniforms were getting dirty fast as players were sliding into the bases and making diving saves on the return to action.
During one of the Moorefield youth baseball games at the town park, one of the youngsters smashed the ball up the middle catching the coach off-guard who just made the pitch and the sudden play caused him to tumble backward to the ground.
The two teams facing each other in this contest was Team Flinn against Team Crites.
The baseball players were enthusiastic about getting on base and running as members of these teams are playing twice per week without an official league.
“Giving these kids a chance to be with friends playing baseball and having fun is what it is all about,” Team Flinn assistant coach Nick Simpson stated.
There were 21 teams on the original brackets for the West Virginia Diamond Fever Softball Tournament in Petersburg this past weekend. This tournament is part of the Shenandoah Valley Softballnation Fast Pitch organization.
One local player on the MOV Pride team, Moorefield Softball rising senior Alyson Simmons, executed a bunt and turned it into an inside-the-park home run with lightning speed.
Moorefield Softball rising senior and MOV Pride’s Tori Humphries showed tenacity at the plate and quickness on the base path stealing second base.
Alyson’s younger sister, Grace, was a catcher for the Mountain Fury and made a leaping catch to save a pass from a teammate behind the plate.
Brylee Reel from the Rippers team representing Moorefield showed her versatility playing as a shortstop and a pitcher during a game.
“There aren’t as many restrictions here in West Virginia, so we are grateful we were given permission to have this tournament. Since we don’t have Little League, we were able to jump right into travel ball with these girls. We are excited to be playing and love being on the field,” Rippers manager D.A. Arbaugh remarked.
There were fans spread throughout the stands with some wearing masks, but the overall focus was enjoying the time watching the teams play ball.