Upon Further Review: Historic night for WCHS softball team
Every now and then, one gets to experience something very special. It might be watching your child play his or her first ball game or getting that first hit or first basket.
Monday night Lady Pioneer softball fans experienced several firsts for the Warren County High School program.
It’s been five years in the making as parents, players, coaches, school board members and countless businesses have volunteered time and money to the Lady Pioneers’ on-campus softball field.
Monday night, around 100 fans enjoyed fast-pitch softball under lights for the first time on the new facility, which included bleachers.
Now many of you may be thinking, “what’s the big deal?” Well, there are several factors that make this a special moment in Warren County softball history.
The new field with lights helps put softball on the right track for a successful program. It gives the program the advantage of not only playing games later in the day so more parents and fans can make it to the games, but it also allows the team to be able to practice longer in order to compete with some of the top programs in middle Tennessee.
Being able to start games at a later time means more people and more money, which helps the program be self-supporting.
Not only was this game the first time under lights at the new complex, it was a first for radio also. WAKI realized what a special occasion this was going to be so they made history by broadcasting the game live.
Yes, softball has taken another step forward by hitting the airways.
As the temperature dropped to freezing by game time many were very thankful for the radio broadcast as several made their way back to their cars watching from the outfield and listening to the game by radio.
It may have felt more like football weather but fans dug out their blankets and even a few brought portable heaters with them as they sat in the stands and shared the warmth with friends.
To top off the night of firsts for the softball program, Lady Pioneer Cassie McGinness made history when she belted a shot over the left field fence hitting the top of the scoreboard.
Now nobody ran out with a tape measure, but it was every bit of 230 to 240 feet. This was the first home run hit over the fence at the complex and it was only fitting a senior be the one to have the honor. Being the first is something nobody but Cassie can claim.
The Lady Pioneers fell to Coffee County on this historic night, but even in defeat the Lady Pioneers took steps forward.
Coffee County is a powerhouse program when it comes to softball. They made it to the Substate last year and are picked to win their district.
In the past four to five years Coffee County has rolled over Warren County by 10-15 runs every time we have faced them. But the Lady Pioneers program has started to make teams take a second look and Monday night the Lady Red Raiders were lucky to escape with a three-run victory.
It feels good when you’re part of something special, and Monday night as a parent of a player and as a fan it was an experience I will never forget. If you enjoy softball or have never seen a game, come out and watch these girls play and I guarantee you’ll have a good time.