Jay council donates $1,000 to help Jay's softball team as they head to Fort Myers
Above, from left, Emery Vaughn, Chloeigh Pierce, Miley McGee, Addy Palmer, Darby Godwin, Presley Hawthorne, McKenna Barrow, Lanie Stephens and Ella Edwards. Not shown is Tenley Smarr. Back row: Council members Nina Hendricks, Wayne Godwin and Mayor Show Owens seated.
The Jay Council Monday night voted to donate $1,000 to the Jay Tri-County All-Stars 10u (10 years and under) softball team as it is headed to compete for the state title this Friday, July 5, near Fort Myers, Fla. The town had money left over from the cost of the fireworks, so it is in the budget, according to Operations Manager Eric Seib.
Coach Jeff Hawthorne said the girls had a car wash at Jay Town Hall last weekend and raised abut $900. The team had to buy new uniforms, which cost about $450. Other costs include hotel rooms, food and gas for the trip. The team will travel the 590 miles and plays its first game Friday at 6 p.m.
"This is an experience these girls will remember for the rest of their lives," said Hawthorne. "I remember going when I was 12 years old. It was something I will never forget."
Hawthorne said Jay Recreation went back to Little League rules this year, and that the girls have played themselves in two teams about 11 or 12 times this year. They played in Brewton in a tournament about a month ago and won.
Hawthorne said the 'Tri-County' represents Escambia County, Fla., Escambia County, Ala., and Santa Rosa County, Fla., but all the players live in the Jay area.
"We had split ourselves into a Jay team and a Fidelis team for practice," said Hawthorne. "There's eight sections in Florida. We are guaranteed to play at least three games. These girls are tired of practicing and are ready to play."
Hawthorne said the team will play Friday night, then Saturday at 11 a.m. and around 3 or 4 p.m.
He said depending on how they play those three games, they could play the championship game on Sunday at 11 a.m.
"You girls are extremely lucky to have the opportunity to go down and represent our area at a tournament like this," said Mayor Shon Owens. "This is a very big deal. If you ladies have never been to one of these tournaments before, it's a much bigger presentation than what you can you see around here. You'll remember these things forever. We are so proud as a community to know that you guys are going down to represent us."
Mayor Owens made a motion to donate $1,000 to the team, which was seconded by Councilman Wayne Godwin and the motion carried.
