Every week during the spring, we publish scores and standings for the Southampton-Sussex baseball and softball leagues. It isn’t always an easy task, as we often find ourselves chasing down a coach or two at the last minute for the results from a game, but for us it is a labor of love. We do it because there’s something special about “county ball.” On any given Friday or Sunday, or Saturday mornings for the younger players on t-ball and coach pitch teams, on ball fields across our community you can find grandparents cheering on their grandchildren who compete on some of the very same fields on which they played 60 years ago. The kids who play in these leagues often play with and against their schoolmates for ten years or more, making memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Those adults who give of their time to coach, work the games as umpires or volunteer to staff the concession stands reap as much reward as the kids themselves do. It’s a worthy endeavor, as well over 600 children from our community played on various teams this year.

On Saturday the 22^nd of June, three final baseball games will be played at the ball field in Newsoms, the host of this year’s Championship Saturday. The mustang, bronco and pony divisions will crown champions in games played at 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. If you’ve been in attendance on Championship Saturday before, you know how exciting it can be. If you haven’t, it’s something you should experience at least once. Pack a chair, bring a little money for the concession stand, and come be a part a child’s memory that will last a lifetime. You’ll be glad you did.