Compiled by Abby Hill
Elite Experience
“I can never get used to the heat,” says Jill Hansen from Perry, Okla. It may be way above 100 degrees at her home, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t notice Chattanooga’s humidity.
Hansen and the Oklahoma Elite drove 13 hours for the ASA tournament this week. Though she is far from home, she says she likes it here. “I fit right in with my accent, and everyone here is so down-home,” said Hansen.
While in Chattanooga the team is staying very close to the mall, which Hansen has already visited. “I am looking forward to doing more shopping,” she says, adding. “I want to try some southern barbeque.”
Softball for a Cause
Patsy Spaw is a devoted grandmother who traveled 15 hours form Austin, Texas, to support the Texas Bombers. “This is the farthest I have traveled for softball; it took us two days!” she exclaimed.
Spaw’s granddaughter, Samantha Godfrey, and her Bombers teammates are also devoted. The Texas Bombers and their fans are doing more than playing softball, they are raising awareness for issues they feel are important.
The team was wearing Breast Cancer Awareness jerseys for their game Wednesday morning. “The team does Relay for Life together,” says Samantha, of the fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. “For our opening game we wore Wounded Warrior jerseys to support that cause,” she adds.
Vacation Visit
Alan Rainwater, from Birmingham, Ala., will not be taking a beach vacation this summer. “No matter if we win or lose, we are staying in Chattanooga all week, making a vacation out of it,” says Rainwater, whose daughter plays for the Alabama Twisters.
The team is having some fun together off the field as well. “Yesterday afternoon we went whitewater rafting,” says Rainwater. “We almost lost a couple dads!”
Rainwater is very supportive of his daughter’s team saying that, “As long as she’s happy, I am happy.”