GREENVILLE – The Greenville Girls Softball Association (GGSA) held its 52nd Opening Day ceremonies under the direction of GGSA President, Cindy Rose.
Paul Rethlake, a US Military Veteran and GGSA grounds maintenance worker threw out the opening pitch to start the 2024 softball season.
“This place doesn’t exist without volunteers,” said Rose. This is only my third year truly volunteering on the board or as a trustee. It’s amazing. The facilities are amazing, and the upkeep is amazing. It’s a proud spot here in Greenville.”
Many awards and prizes were given to winners of the GGSA fundraisers, which help support the local program. Some scheduled games were played before an afternoon downpour brought the games to a close.
“It’s a time commitment for the parents and the kids,” said Rose. “It’s a lesson in fundraising out there asking people to buy tickets and support what they’re doing. It’s an important part of who we are.”
Stebbins Field, home of GGSA and the perineal powerhouse Greenville Lady Wave softball program, draws attention from both hometown girls and park visitors.
“We have girls that are just amazing,” Rose said of the LWSB. “We had an hour and a half pitching clinic about a month ago, and some of the Lady Wave junior high and high school students came and helped. The girls who came to participate were so excited to watch the younger look up to the older and the older remember being out here. We had a small tournament last weekend, and the semi-finals were all on Diamond III, where the Lady Wave varsity plays, and we heard Greenville and non-Greenville kids saying we were hoping we would get to play on this field.”
2024 GGSA Board of Officers:
President – Cindy Rose – 3rd Year Officer
Vice-President – Matt Hinkle – 2nd Year Officer
Treasurer – Lindsey Beatty – 13th Year Officer
Secretary – Tiffany Shaffer – 14th Year Officer
Senior League Slow Pitch Coordinator – Open Position
Junior League Slow Pitch Coordinator – Open Position
Minor League Slow Pitch Coordinator – Adam Sturgill – 2nd Year Officer
Munchkin Coordinator – Daniel Myers – 2nd Year Officer
T-Ball Coordinator – Kailey Guillozet – 3rd Year Officer
Tournament Coordinator – Jason Christman – 10th Year Officer
Fast-Pitch Coordinator – Shawn Shaffer – 18th Year Officer
Concessions Manager – Tasha Williams – 4th Year Officer
Equipment Manager – Open Position
