LEEDS, AL - After April's devastating tornadoes, which claimed the lives of over 250 Alabamians and destroyed the homes of many more, it seemed like everyone found some way to contribute to rebuilding Alabama. The 2007 Leeds softball team, which brought Leeds a state championship, has found their own way to give to the victims of the storms. Last Friday, June 10, they put on a youth softball clinic at the Leeds Middle School's softball fields, with all the proceeds going to United Way and Recover Tuscaloosa. "We figured it was a good way to raise money and get younger kids involved," Alex Peterson told the Herald. Peterson organized the event, where roughly 30 children learned the fundamentals of softball.

Peterson also invited UAB's softball coach Marla Townsend and some of her players to help. Townsend, who has coached UAB for 13 seasons and lead the Blazers to their first ever championship tournament bid, said she was happy to lend a hand. "It was probably about a month or so ago that Alex [Peterson] called me and mentioned to me that she wanted to do a camp with all the benefits going to the tornado victims. It was actually at a time when my softball athletes had just spent some time out in Pleasant Grove volunteering and I said that I would love to do anything to help." Townsend said she wanted the tornado victims to know that they "weren't forgotten."

Working on fielding ground balls

The clinic was focused on the basics, according to Peterson. "How to hit correctly, how to field the right way, [how to] catch and throw a ball the right way and how important the little bity things are." The children practiced hitting balls, both pitched and strung on a line, to perfect their batting technique, caught fly balls, practiced fielding a live ball and throwing it to first base, ran agility drills and learned correct base-running form. Townsend also said she wanted to focus on mental toughness by challenging the youths to compliment each other, avoid talking about the blistering heat and to stay focused. "It's more than a game of softball, it's about really seeing positive efforts, hustling and getting the most out of whatever you choose to do."

Chelsie Shelton works with young softball players in the batting cage

It wasn't all drills and work though. Prizes were on hand for all the children, donated by businesses like Covenant Bank, MCM Sports, Greenwave Auto and the players. Chick-fil-A also provided lunches for the kids. Peterson said the event was a success and she hoped to hold a clinic every year, donating to different charities with each new event. "We had a lot of people that came out and helped us. It's been a really fun thing and we hope to do it once a year."

The softball players pose for a picture at the end of the clinic, along with Sabrina Rose (rear) of MCM Sports, who provided their shirts

Leeds, AL - The Leeds Greenwave rolled in their May 19 spring football game, taking down Springville 27-6. The tone of the game, and possibly the next Leeds season, was set on each team's first possession; Springville went three and out, Leeds scored behind a run first, smash-mouth drive that ended when Ladarius Rogers bullied his way into the end zone on fourth and goal from the one yard line. Judging from the spring game, Leeds need not worry about their offensive line. They opened up holes large enough for a small army to run through. The running back situation also seems to be well in hand, with Rogers shouldering the bulk of the carries and some new faces making good contributions.

Ladarius "Speedy" Rogers busts into the end zone for one of his two touchdowns

Leeds stifled the Springville running game

The Leeds secondary allowed several good passes to be thrown but still held Springville to one touchdown

Leeds would go on to score on every offensive possession of the first half, with quarterbacks Dylan Shelton and T.J. Phillips both showing off their running abilities. Either seems capable of taking off at opportune moments. The passing game was a little more hit-or-miss. This may be a Leeds offense that prefers the safety of the ground even more than in the past but Etheredge is optimistic. "I'm real excited with how Dylan Shelton and T.J. Phillips played at quarterback. Both of those guys did a great job tonight."

With defensive linemen like Javier Mitchell, Leeds has a stout defensive front

Springville would not score until late in the game, when they got a touchdown on the Leeds B-team. This was largely because of Leeds' run defense was solid, with ferocious players like Javier Mitchell anchoring the line and speedy linebackers providing backup. Etheredge did say he wanted to work on the pass rush a little more. Another area of concern was depth at certain positions, like cornerback. With eighth and ninth grader starting at cornerback, players being injured or just winded could be a bigger problem for the Greenwave.

"We've just got to create some depth, so guys can get some rest. We don't want guys going both ways all the time. We've got to have some of our younger guys close that gap between themselves and the starters. From what I've seen tonight, they are going to do that. It's going to be a fun year next year."

Quarterback T. J. Phillips catches some air as he vaults a Springville defender

Leeds is still Leeds in the way that Leeds is known for: a stout defense, a tough running game and very physical players. It looks like another promising season for the Greenwave.

Leeds, AL - The Leeds High School softball team, hosting the area tournament, defeated Indian Springs 20-2 in just three innings. Abbie Ellison and Mikal Williams pitched for the Lady Greenwave, while Magan Ball and Elizabeth McDanal each had an in-the-park home run. Thanks to Cathy Ball for reporting the scores and info.