CLARKS MILLS SOFTBALL

Above, the 2000 CMC softball team.
Bottom row: Stephanie Reed, Onnalea Reed, Nancy VanSickle, Casey Steckler, Bert Lackey, Carey Steckler, Chad Elder.
Top row: Chuck Moon, Coach Ken Reed, John VanSickle, Jason Law, Bob Elder, Bob Sanders, Brad Elder, Kim Finnegan, Keith Novatak.
Missing from photo: Marla Chess, Eric Wilson, Steve Erdley, Becky Hooker, Kiersten Reed.

Clarks Mills Softball was an idea thought of by young, convincing males who succeeded in getting Earl Fagley to coach and Howard McCartney to buy bats and balls for the first church softball team. Pastor Walter Foulk was a great help in starting this team, too. NO home field -- NO color coordinated uniforms -- NO females -- but there was good Christian fun.

After a few years without a church team, Howdy (Harry) and Virginia Yeager fell into that "parent trap"! Thus, Clarks Mills played again. Under the Yeager guidance, the team wore navy and white shirts and called Otter Creek Township "Our Field". A home run got you a milkshake from Howdy and Virginia, but any winning team around here knows that Shirley's Twin Kiss gives free cones for sweaty and dirty uniforms!

The All Girls team also played very well under the coaching abilities of John Shawkey and Richard Small. In this league they had a rule -- only 3 girls over 18 allowed on the field at one time. Our girls got older, and we learned that the Greenville Church Co-Ed League allowed anyone from 12 years and up a chance to play. Debra and Fuzzy (Gary) Hoovler and Daryl and Dane Yeager guided the team to many victories. Richard Small coached this team, as well.

Under Danny Reichard's guidance, Clarks Mills obtained a new ball field on the church grounds, new gray and black shirts and hats, and more trophies. Pastor Allen Jones helped convince our Administrative Board to plan a ball field "out back". With Fred Elder's equipment and knowledge, a ball field was created out of a swamp.

In 1997 Kenny Reed assumed the important nurturing role as coach. Clarks Mills has had many dedicated Christians who have given of their time and money so that the game of softball could be played in Christian fellowship. Fred Washkevich cheered us when we were up and down. Fred also had photos to prove it from the first we started playing in the Greenville league. Our softball teams have always been an outreach mission.

We play the game as we live our lives, the good with the bad, but we play Because He Lives in us.

 

Page Updated: April 18, 2006