Russellville Parks and Rec adult softball league grows interest

“We hope this is something that continues to grow. It gives our fields some use, gets the community involved, gives our student workers some hours and keeps the older adults active,” said Aaron Page. He, along with other directing staff at the Russellville Parks and Recreation Department have spent the past two weeks reaching out in an attempt to grow the adult softball league. “This is a trial thing,” Page said. “We haven’t done adult sports in quite some time, but if this continues to do well, I know some of the guys I’ve headed this up with have some great ideas for the future. Deebo Henderson, and Donny Flannagin, our Parks and Rec director, have been big drivers in this as well. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

The John Blackwell Sports Complex next to Sloss Lake in Russellville has welcomed 20-30 players each night. Participants have included current high school athletes trying to get extra reps in the off-season to older adults trying to stay active. Since the start of the program, talk of new leagues and events for the future have been considered.

Addison Bryant, a senior this year at Belgreen High School, showed up with her dad, Lee Bryant, to get extra reps to prepare for the upcoming season. “Unfortunately, I was out on injury this past season, so this is my first time back playing in a long time,” Bryant said. I pulled multiple muscles in my shoulder, and since Dad has been participating in this, he thought I could benefit from it, too. We wanted to see if it was even going to be possible for me to play again next year.” Bryant drove in runs and played right field in Tuesday’s game last week.

Deebo Henderson, a Haleyville graduate who has been heavily involved in sports throughout his life, said he was eager to help bring them to Russellville. “I used to drive to Florence to play League ball, so I kind of took it upon myself to be able to have something like that again in Russellville,” he said. “We are also looking to do something in August or September, like a tournament or something.” Being a tri-sport athlete in high school has rooted Henderson in his love for sports, but being a part of the police department has played a role in that as well since they play in a slow pitch league of their own and will compete in flag football July 27. The football game will be played at the soccer field where Washington Avenue and Gaines Avenue meet. “We hope to have a big crowd, and that everyone can come out to watch. The event is free to spectators. In the future, I hope that all kinds of sports can be available to the Russellville community.”

Park director Donny Flannagin expressed how he was ready to get in on the action as well. “We want to get adults involved instead of going home from work and playing on a game or TV. It’s been so good to sit and watch these games and people of all ages interact with each other. This is better for everyone. It benefits the community and each player’s overall health. I wish there would’ve been something like this when I was their age. Flag football was available to me. I remember going to play every Sunday afternoon. That is definitely something we are looking at for the future of adult sports in Russellville.”

Flannagin said the casual style is meant to encourage participation.

“We know it’s summer, and people have other things to do, but that’s why we’re doing the pick-up teams. It makes people feel less committed, but still show up to get involved and have a good time,” Page said. “People have been asking about playing with hard balls, but that probably won’t happen. It’s kind of dangerous.”