By BOB ETTINGER - bettinger@starbeacon.com
Staff Writer
—
Twelve-year-old Bailey Beckwith, a member of Girl Scout Troop 369, was searching for a project to help her earn the Silver Award. She received a piece of advice that led to quite a project.
“I had to choose a project and they said to choose something I was going to stick with and that I liked a lot,” Beckwith, the daughter of Tracey and Bill Beckwith said. “So I chose softball. My mom and I have been working together on it ever since.”
More specifically, Beckwith is putting together a softball game that will feature some of the great players from Ashtabula County’s past in order to raise money to help the JAGS Complex.
“I am trying to get girls from the past in the Ashtabula area to come together to play a softball game to raise money to help the JAGS fields.
“I’ve been playing for JAGS since first grade. I want to give back some money for what they’ve done for me, helping me with softball.”
The Celebrity Softball Game will be Aug. 21 at the JAGS Complex. There will be a home run derby at noon with the seven-inning game starting at 2 p.m.
“The game is free to the public,” Beckwith said. “We are going for sponsors. We want to put banners up on the fences. During the home run derby, if someone hits a home run over that banner, the sponsors will give money. We’re also putting sponsors on T-shirts and we’ll have concessions.”
So far, Beckwith has gotten commitments from Courtney and Hannah Francis, who will both be playing at Saint Francis (Pa.) under area product Sabrina Lane next year, Pam Dreslinski, who played at Hofstra, Trisha Dreslinski, who is currently playing for Hofstra, Ronda Carter, who played for Jefferson, Kim Triskett, Krystal Force and Kelly Henson, who were all greats at Grand Valley, Tammy McTrusty and Heather and Lynn Lillie.
“It’s gone pretty good so far,” Beckwith said. “I have about enough girls for one team. I’m trying to get enough for the other team, now.”
The response Beckwith has gotten has been very warm so far.
“My mom is on Facebook and I was looking through her friends and sent messages asking them if they wanted to play.
“They were like, ‘Yeah! I’d love to play.' They’re happy to come back to Jefferson and play with people they used to play with.”
Beckwith has taken the opportunity to learn from the players she has made contact with.
“It means a lot to me just to hear how they played. It’s just really amazing for me.”
Beckwith has learned the former stars know about her, too.
“They say they read about me in the newspaper and they tell me to keep working hard,” she said.
Former players interested in playing in the Celebrity Softball Game can contact Beckwith at beckwith5@embarqmail.com or through Tracey Beckwith’s Facebook page.
