Bats Against Butts

By Clint Cox


A good time was had by all this past Saturday morning as the Marianna Middle School baseball and softball teams combined for their second annual “Bats Against Butts” day. This event is co-sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department as well as Jackson County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) and is designed to discourage young people from using tobacco products. The dangers of using tobacco are presented to those attending and the event targets smokeless tobacco and candy flavored tobacco products since these are marketed towards a younger audience.

The baseball and softball teams combine for a co-ed slow pitch softball game with the coaches for both programs serving as pitchers and umpires. The game is unique for both the boys and girls as most of the baseball players have previously played little or no softball. For the girls the game is unique because they are accustomed to playing fast pitch softball. Prior to the game the athletes were served a breakfast of pancakes and deer sausage.

The girls softball squads have concluded their season and had another fine year as the A Team finished 10-2 and the B Team finished 9-2-1. The boys baseball season is coming to a close with their conference tournament. (see related article on page one of sports).