Summer Shade field fan looks forward to reunion

I recently read with great delight of the upcoming reunion/old-timers game involving players of by-gone eras at the Summer Shade field.

Although I’d played many softball and baseball games in the cow pastures of Mt. Gilead and Rockbridge, it was on the “hill” that I played my first organized game of softball with umpires. That was in the summer of 1964. It looked like we might depart with a victory but a rocket launched by Greg Lake that ended up somewhere near the “pond in the holler” dashed our hopes.

And although I have so many fond memories of that field as a member of the Rockbridge, T-ville All-Stars and Deposit Bank softball teams, I can’t help but remember some gentlemen who have gone on and won’t be thereon the Sept. 22. Mitchell Word, Wondell Branstetter and Joe Bowles were so much of the lore and tradition of that park. Their true love of the game of softball and their sportsmanship involved was always evident.

My favorite memories of the field will always be: 1) seeing a ball come flying into the infield area from the darkness of the left field foul area, 2) the hand-operated hanging numbers scoreboard that would have the digits knocked off about once a game by a foul line drive, and 3) the smell of the fish cooking in the Lions’ Club fish fry — best fish sandwiches I ever ate. I was there the night Alan Feldhaus hit the ball over the center field lights that was found somewhere near Nobob.

I applaud those involved in the organization of this special event. I look forward to attending and possibly pinch-hitting with about three bats duct-taped together. I hope to see many teammates and opponents who share memories of that time-honored softball diamond with me.

I just have one question. Is there a 30 and under we can make the “eternally-young” Tim McMurtrey play in?

Rita Miller

Tompkinsville

Voters urged to take responsibility for future

Do you really want alcohol sales in Glasgow? You may think alcohol sold by the drink in a few restaurants is not so bad. What do you think about liquor stores and bars in Glasgow? Alcohol sales by the drink are likely the first step toward a wet vote in Glasgow in later years.

Although only those who vote in city precincts will see this issue on the ballot, a vote to go “moist” will not only affect Glasgow, but also Barren County and the surrounding counties. It is important for you to vote. A heavy voter turnout will likely defeat the issue. Those who are for alcohol sales will definitely be at the polls on Nov. 6.

Barren County voters should encourage their friends and relatives who live in the city to vote on the issue. Offer to take the older people in your family, church and neighborhood to the polls to vote. If you choose not to vote, you are helping to bring alcohol sales to Glasgow.

The proponents say we need alcohol sales, but Barren County is the No. 1 place to live in rural America without alcohol sales. In fact, alcohol sales might have changed the community in such a way that we would not have earned that distinction.

If you have not voted recently or you have moved since you registered to vote, you must call the Barren County Clerk’s office at 651-3783. The deadline for registering to vote in the November election is Oct. 8.