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 - (April 2, 2011) - Leeds Youth Sports kicked off another season of youth baseball and softball today! It was an action packed day, especially for coach Damon Fields' 9-10 year old boys, who defeated Sam Parson's team 10-6. Parson's team attempted to rally in the bottom of the fourth and scored one run but pitcher Rhondale Edwards, in relief of Nick Bolton, struck out the last batter for the win.

Rhondale Edwards of Damon Fields' 9-10 year old team, pitching in relief of Nick Bolton. Edwards received the game ball, along with Bolton, for his pitching, including striking out the last batter in the bottom of the fourth inning

Edwards, seen just before hitting a double, also contributed to the team with his bat

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