The circle of life is much more than the theme song by Elton John from Disney’s huge hit movie of 1994, “The Lion King.”

In essence, it is life, when you get right down to it.

One hand feeds or helps another, then it’s passed on to another, then another, then another...

In the realm of softball, that is certainly being shown during these times, as was magnified at the 2011 Ohio Jaguars Summer Showcase over the weekend in Jefferson (and a huge tip of our cap to Scott “Cliff” Francis and his Jaguar gang for their efforts in making this tournament not only the biggest, but also the hands down best-run softball or baseball tournament in Ashtabula County).

For example, when I see, hear or read about the likes of Tammy McTrusty, Kim Triskett, Pam Dreslinski, Trisha Dreslinski, Courtney Francis and Hannah Francis giving up their time during the summer to coach youngsters, I can’t help but smile.

Not only was each member of that Super Six a former high school softball star who earned first-team Star Beacon Ashtabula County recognition during their playing days at their respective schools, they are also doing what comes natural.

They are blazing the trail for the generations of youngsters who have, are in the process of or will follow in their footsteps.

There is no bigger influence or role model to the young girls who grace Northeast Ohio ballfields than people such as Tammy, Kim, Pam, Trisha, Courtney and Hannah because the wide, innocent eyes of the little ones know these women were, at one time, where they are now.

Young, eager and ready to be led down the road to become a ballplayer... to become females who plays multiple sports... to become a teenager... to become a young woman.

And while this Super Six — five of whom have played or are playing softball at the Division I level — is willing to show the way, you can bet one of the biggest reasons they are willing to do so is this:

Others did the same for them.

The one of this Super Six who did not play Division I softball is Tammy McTrusty, who gained notoriety during her days at Jefferson as not only a softball star, but also a contributor in both basketball and volleyball.

Truth is, Tammy certainly possessed Division I abilities on the ballfield. Blessed with a strong right arm, a line-drive bat and, perhaps just as important, the famous Wludyga drive, competitiveness and, yes, feisty streak.

Anyone who saw Tammy Wludyga play softball is aware she certainly was good enough to play Division I softball. Problem was, during her day (Tammy graduated in 1982), Division I softball coaches found their way to places such as Jefferson about as often as Cleveland professional sports teams win a championship.

In other words, they didn’t.

It was the same for Tammy’s older sister, Stephanie, who graduated from Jefferson in 1966, a year shy of a full decade before the Ohio High School Athletic Association brought scholastic sports for girls back after having discontinued them after the 1938-39 school year.

But that didn’t stop Stephanie from spending countless hours working with Tammy and countless other youngsters, from the time she was a young woman through the rest of her life.

While Stephanie was herself a tremendous athlete and competitor — excelling in both slowpitch softball and bowling well into her late 30s — she wasn’t the ballplayer or the athlete her sister Tammy was.

However, those two helped to produce the first of what still numbers only three Division I scholarship players in Jefferson softball history.

Ronda Carter, who played four years at the University of Akron as a center fielder, is Stephanie Rogers’ daughter.

She is also Tammy (Wludyga) McTrusty’s niece.

Stephanie, who to the surprise of no one who saw Ronda star in volleyball, basketball and softball at Jefferson before graduating in 1988, also taught acrobatics to youngsters all through her adult life, gave to Tammy, and the two combined to give to Ronda.

And Tammy continues to give today, as coach of the 16-and-under Ohio Jaguars.

It’s almost fitting that my thoughts turned to this Super Six and how they are being shining examples to young girls of today this weekend, first on Friday, July 15, 2011.

That was 20 years — to the day — Stephanie Rogers, mother of the great Ronda Carter and sister of the wonderful Tammy (Wludyga) McTrusty, finally surrendered after a courageous battle against cancer.

She was 43.

As she looked down this weekend, though, and saw Tammy and the rest of this Super Six, I’m sure she was wearing her trademark smile.

Of this, I’m sure.

The circle of life, indeed.

McCormack is the sports editor of the Star Beacon. Reach him at donmac@suite224.net.