Greenville Girls Softball Association, Inc.

The 40th Anniversary Greenville Girls Softball Opening Day held on May 5th, 2012, has been deemed a huge success. Finally the association kicked off their season with great weather after years of windy, sometimes cold, and rainy weather. Over 350 girls making up 34 teams will play both slow pitch and fast pitch softball at Stebbins Field this season.

After weeks of planning things got underway on-time after showers and storms just missed the Stebbins Field complex during the overnight hours. It takes many hours of preparation by GGSA volunteers including coaches, players, parents, officers, trustees, and many others to make such a great event successful.

The 2012 opening ceremony was a special occasion as GGSA is celebrating their 40th Anniversary season this year.

A special guest was on hand for the 40th Anniversary Opening Day Ceremony. Connie Eckler who was one of the founding members of The Greenville Girls Softball Association spoke to the crowd. She said, "many things have changed since that first year when only girls ages 9-12 were allowed to play and that there were only 8 teams that first year."

GGSA has come a long way since 1972, now with over 350 young ladies ages 4-19 years of age. From playing their games on sometimes flooded diamonds on Ohio Street, to purchasing land and moving to Stebbins Field on State Route 49, to building a new concession stand with restrooms. It is through this kind of support and selfless dedication by the community that GGSA and Stebbins Field was built and continues to thrive today. GGSA is proof that with hard work and persistence, anything is possible. This is something that the Greenville community should and can be proud of.

Pastor, Gary Cloyd, of Castine Church of the Brethren, led the large crowd with an Opening Day prayer reminding all, "to keep their eye on the ball".

American Legion Post #140 raised the flag while local talent Kristi Strawser sang our national anthem "The Star Spangled Banner".

During the ceremony, GGSA thanked some individuals and business' that helped prepare for the 2012 season. They were Kris Garrison, Sam Stebbins, Lowe's Home Improvement, Keith "Slick" Schlecty, Rod Drew & Drew Ag Transport, and Becky and Terry Hartnagle.

A huge thank you went out to The Hole-Coppock Trust and Dick and Diane Brown who's generous donations made a total refurbishing of all four diamonds playing surfaces a possibility. New sod was installed on all four diamonds last November and then 70 tons of Alabama Red Rock was trucked in from Birmingham, Alabama, by Drew Ag Transport this spring and was installed by the association with the help of volunteers, officers, and trustees.

The new playing surface is of top notch quality and is one of the best in the area which will provide a great playing experience for all of our GGSA players and also for many players throughout Darke County and the region who will travel to play at the Stebbins Field facility this year and for many years to come.

Varsity Lady Wave head softball coach also spoke to the large crowd and spoke about how great the last 10 years have been for GGSA and softball in Greenville.

To open up the 2012 season members of the Hole-Coppock Trust and founding GGSA member Connie Eckler were selected by current GGSA officers and trustees to throw the ceremonial "first pitch" of the 2012 GGSA season. The catchers were current young ladies who will be playing ball all season long at Stebbins Field. This group represents the past and the bright future of GGSA and Stebbins Field.

The spring fundraiser drive is the backbone of the organization. The players and parents have supported the organization through the entire 40 years and 2012 is no different. These are the top sellers for 2012:

FUNDRAISER TOP SELLERS
1.Tabitha Richards
2.Haley Christman
3.Emma Erisman

COOKIE DOUGH TOP SELLER
1.Paige Waterbury

OPENING DAY CHICKEN DINNERS
1.Cheyanne Hartsock
2.Cheyenne Harmon
3.Jasmine Baker

TOP TEAM - CHICKEN DINNERS
Yes "Deere"/coach Ashley Hartsock

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING WINNER
(2-night trip for four to Great Wolf Lodge Cincinnati)
Tabitha Richards

2012 GGSA Officers: President-Bob Roark, Vice President-Galvin Strait, Treasurer-Abby Wilson, Secretary-Tiffany Shaffer, Concession Manager-Stephanie Christman, Fast Pitch Coordinator-Shawn Shaffer, Senior Coordinator- Tracy Roark, Junior Coordinator-Alishia Funk, Minor Coordinator-Heidi Klosterman (Bill Frazer), Munchkin Coordinator-Shellie Walker, T-Ball Coordinator-Lindsey Beatty, Equipment Manager-Joe Osborne, and Tournament Director-Eric Fellers

2012 GGSA Trustees: Jeff Shilt, Justin Reigle, Tom Cromwell, Jim Hackney, Dean Richardson, Randy Ruble

More information can be found at www.ggsaonline.com and on Facebook by searching Greenville Girls Softball Association.