Adult softball teams disappear in Burke
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

Willie Dukes has been coaching youth and adult softball in Burke County for nearly three decades.

But now he's concerned about shrinking interest among Waynesboro men and women.

Though Burke County once had several teams playing in a local league, there are no longer enough players to support a men's, women's or even co-ed league in the county. Last year was the first time in several years that Burke County did not have its own league.

Dukes ended up coaching a team made up of a few local women and several from other towns. They played a schedule against teams in Augusta.

"We just have too much talent in Waynesboro not to have a team," Dukes says. "As a coach, I'm just concerned about what happened to our leagues."

Burke County Recreation Department director Rolene Rowell understands Dukes' concern but said there just hasn't been enough interest to support a league here the past couple of years.

"It's not that we don't want to have a league, we just haven't had the participation," she said. "I really think that everyone is just too busy now."

Rowell said her staff worked hard to recruit teams for a local league, especially for co-ed which had been very popular, but they had no success.

She added, however, that if enough people were interested, there is still enough time to develop a short schedule for local teams.

Those who are interested in playing should contact Robert Allen at the recreation department, 706-554- 5210.