THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130303
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ADULT SOFTBALL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE SCHLOFF, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 69 lines
When Lou Parsons agreed to coach the Superior Pest Control women's softball team, he never imagined he would build a powerhouse that would gain new glory for Chesapeake.
Or that six years later, his team would place eighth in the nation at the National Softball Association's 1996 Women's World Series in Indianapolis last week.
Parsons began coaching the Superior Pest Control team in 1991 in the Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation Adult Softball League. Two years ago, the core group began competing in the Chesapeake league. Last season, they fell just short of a title in the Tidewater Championships - a tournament which brings together the top teams from each of the area cities.
``We lost a heart-breaker,'' Parsons said of the 1995 championship game. ``We lost by a run on a couple of misplayed balls.''
This year, there would be no similar loss. The 14-member slow-pitch team not only became the first women's team from Chesapeake to win the Tidewater Championships, it also won a berth in the NSA World Series.
In June, the Superior Pest Control squad earned its paid trip to the World Series when it won a double-elimination NSA qualifier tournament in Richmond. Despite the fact that they had already won a playoff spot through the qualifier, the women were required to compete in the state tournament. Honing their skills for the upcoming series, Superior Pest Control finished second.
Last week, they competed in the 37-team World Series, finishing eighth.
Despite the national attention the team has gained, Parsons seems most proud of the Tidewater Championship title.
``The teams representing the cream of the crop play for that title,'' Parsons said. ``We've done that every year.''
Although the team has a core group of players that have been with Parsons for six years, there are no individual stars. Parsons highlights the team aspect.
``Any one of them can come off the bench, pick up a bat and go,'' Parsons said. ``I don't think that I have one player that stands alone as far as records are concerned. They all stick together.''
Sticking together and finishing in the top 10 are habits for Parsons and his teams.
He has coached men's and coed teams since 1977. He took his coed team to Steamboat, Colo., in 1990 and placed fourth in the nation. He coached his current team to four of the last six Tidewater Championships. The top mark for the squad was a seventh-place finish in last year's national championship.
``All-women teams are always harder to coach,'' Parsons said. ``They are more of a challenge than coed teams. They are just like kids, but this is the best team that I have coached in the six years that I've been here.''
Most players on the team are natives of Hampton Roads. Ranging in age from 20-40, players spend their non-softball time as convenience store managers, accountants, teachers and even one grandmother.
``It's the attitude that brings us together,'' catcher Gina Sivels said. ``We love playing together on and off the field.''
A few athletes on the team grew up playing in some of the area's perennial fast-pitch softball programs.
``It's a lot different than coed,'' said second baseman Suzy Mizelle, a former Great Bridge standout. ``We just come out here to have fun.''
Jo Jo Lowery, who owns a convenience store, commutes from Hampton during rush hour to attend the team's early evening practices and games.
``I love the game of softball, that's all,'' Lowery said. ``I enjoy playing with this particular team. I'm a worker and I make time to play.''
While the team comes from all different professions, they seem to mesh just fine on the ball field.
``It's the camaraderie,'' pitcher Marcia Manning, a grandmother of one, said. ``The teamwork is a good nucleus for us to win or lose. This particular team has been together for nearly three years. The record speaks for itself.'' by CNB