THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407020223
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
WHEN IT COMES to softball, Buddy Cummings is trying a new twist.
In his 15-year association with the Tidewater Virginia Amateur Softball Association, Cummings has come to realize the plight suffered by many women's teams.
Money.
Not enough of it.
So, the area Class A and B tournament commissioner is taking the cash he earns organizing tournaments and giving it back to the sport it came from.
Meet Cummings Softball - a women's team playing in the top competitive division in Virginia Beach.
Cummings Softball will try to earn one of two berths to the Tidewater Championships when it continues play in the Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation women's city championship tournament.
``The women's program suffers considerably from a lack of sponsorships. Hey, it's tough enough for the men,'' Cummings, 37, said. ``This team has never had a sponsor before, even though they were the Class D state champions for ASA last year. Most sponsors look at the guys teams first.''
One of Cummings' players - Cheryl Miller - approached Cummings seeking help with sponsorships. The wife of coach Chris Miller knew of Cummings' vast involvement with softball and of his business connections.
Surely he'd be able to help. She got more help than she ever could have imagined.
``She lives down the street from me and asked me if I could help find a sponsor,'' Cummings said. ``I just decided to do it myself.
``It's something new for me.''
Cummings committed to sponsor the ladies for three years in what could arguably be the most unique sponsor-team relationship going.
Cummings has already spent more than $2,000 on this team, outfitting the crew in home and away jerseys, bat bags, balls, and registrations for city play and several tournaments.
``The most expensive part of sponsoring a softball team is the start-up,'' Cummings said. ``From here on out, I won't have to buy that much - just registrations.''
But those fees could run high as the team has set a goal to advance to the ASA Class D national tournament - playing in the ASA state tournament and in as many qualifiers as it takes.
``Not much of it has come out of my own pocket, if anything,'' said Cummings, who as a tournament commissioner has transformed a dying Class B men's program into a thriving one.
``This is my first experience as a sponsor and it's very different. My only dealings with sponsors in the past was from sticking my hand out for more money.''
The switch hasn't been easy. Cummings is more used to being involved in running a team.
``It's very hard to sit and watch games and not say anything,'' he said. ``I'm so used to being in the decision-making process. It's always been a matter of pride with me.
``I don't go to a lot of games, because of time and especially since they lost the last one I went to.''
But even with the lack of participation on his part, the venture has so far been rewarding.
``The women are so much more appreciative of what you do for them,'' he said. ``They call all the time to thank me and one even wrote a very nice letter.
``I know the men appreciate it, but they rarely show it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Buddy Cummings, commisioner of the Tidewater Virginia Amateur
Softball Association, has spent more than $2,000 of money he has
earned running tournaments to sponsor a women's team called Cummings
Softball.
by CNB