For the next two weeks, softball Reigns in the Valley

For the next two weeks, softball Reigns in the Valley

Beginning tomorrow, the weather in the Mahoning Valley becomes harder to predict. There will be a combination of Heat, Storms, Thunder, Flashes of Lightning, Ice, Dusters, Hurricanes, Tornados, Fires and Wildfires, a Tsunami and an Aftershock.

And watch out for the wildlife. There will be Jaguars, Wildcats, Lions and Alley Cats, Gators, Sharks, Cardinals, Hornets, Grizzlies, Cobras and Fillies, Chargers, Mavericks, Mustangs and Ponies.

There will be all those Dangers and some Magic on playing fields scattered from Niles to Bazetta to Liberty in Trumbull County and Boardman and Canfield in Mahoning County. It is the opening of the Mahoning Valley PONY National fastpitch softball tournament. Competition in the 10-and-under and 12-U age groups begins tomorrow; the 16-U and 18-U teams begin play next Saturday.

The girls will be bringing Pride, Spirit, Intensity, Finesse, Hustle and maybe even a little Fury or Rage to the field. And if you haven’t already guessed, they Express themselves by taking to the Diamond in uniforms that bear names covering an Extreme range of weather conditions, fauna and minerals (such as Sapphires, Emeralds, Rock and Jade). There are no teams bearing the name of flora. In this league, a team dare not try to get fired up with a chant of “Go, Daisies” while the girls in the other dugout are chanting “Crush, Crush, Crush” or “Blitz, Blitz, Blitz.”

From far and wide

The tournament Web site shows just over 200 teams registered. They will come from all over Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as from Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Virginia, Washington , D.C., Montreal, Quebec, and even the Czech Republic and Russia.

Hundreds of people have been working hard to prepare for the influx of thousands of players and their families. The rest of us should take any opportunity we get to make them feel welcome. If you see girls wearing shirts emblazoned with Kaos, Fuzion or Krunch, don’t correct their spelling. Be a Charmer. And if you get a chance to go to a few games, please do. More information is available at www.mvpony.com.

You’ll see some excellent softball, because every girl is a Star and each Elite team hopes it will be the Eliminator or the Heartbreaker.

We knew there was a Danger that we weren‘t going to be able to work all the team names into a few paragraphs. We issue a General apology to those we missed and an appeal that you not seek Revenge by going on a Rampage or writing your Senators. We had a Devil of a time getting in as many as we did. Trying to work in Patriettes, Rebelles and Banshees would have been a Nightmare.

But please know that you are all welcome, even the Bandits, Raiders, Renegades, Rebels and Divas. We hope you have good games, safe trips and enjoy everything the Mahoning Valley has to offer. And as a Dixie Chick might say, y’all come back now, hear.