Paige Case, 17, looks out at the rain from the cover of Frost Stadium on Tuesday. The Tennessee versus Georgia high school all-star softball game was rained out at Frost Stadium in Warner Park on Tuesday afternoon. The game was postponed until the following Tuesday.The 14th Tennessee-Georgia All-Star softball competition was rained out at Frost Stadium on Tuesday and has been rescheduled for next Tuesday. The doubleheader will begin at 6 p.m.
"We feel like with the rain we're going to have the rest of the week, it's best to try and play it then," event coordinator Bobby Hudgens said. "Several of the girls play travel ball. They have to start planning on going out of town. Some of them will go on Thursday, others on Friday. We want to try to have as many of the players back as we can."
Despite those efforts, not all will be able to make it to the rescheduled games. Baylor's Kelli Smith, coach of the Tennessee team, said her 17-player squad won't be nearly as big.
"Actually, at least five told me they could not be there next Tuesday, one being Lacye Walker," Smith said of the Grace Academy pitching ace. The Chattanooga State-bound left-hander plays for the Tennessee Fury's 18-under Gold, which is competing next week in the Colorado Fireworks tournament and their flight leaves Tuesday.
The preliminary 10-under games, the first starting at 3:30, were played before any bad weather came through. The Frost Falcons 2001 defeated the Georgia Tornadoes 7-2 and the Frost Falcons 2000 beat the Georgia Twisters 9-1.
Public-address announcer Ron Hall was almost finished with the high school players' introductions, which was to take place right before local businessman and philanthropist Jim Frost was to throw the ceremonial first pitch, when officials ordered everyone off the field because of lightning. Heavy rain began falling soon afterward and after about an hour delay the postponement decision was made.
"It was the worst case," Smith said. "Everything was ready to go. The girls were excited. It was disappointing it happened that way. As far as it being rescheduled, I know they just had to pick a day and go with it."
Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653.