County teams keep wary eye on the weather

By MEYLA HOOKER
Published April 27, 2005

Six district softball tournaments involving county teams were affected by inclement weather Tuesday.

Some districts got at least one game in before postponing play. Others, including Class 5A, District 9 and Class A, District 7 - both being held at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex in Clearwater - and Class 4A, District 13 in Bradenton never got started.

All tournaments have a day off, which is the rainout contingency plan. Now teams hope to finish play by the weekend.

"They're going to check the weather and see how the field looks around noon," Lakewood coach Liz Eckert said of the District 13 tourney. "If the field is in good condition, we'll play today, Thursday and Friday."

As of late Tuesday, the Weather Channel's weather.com reported a 50 percent chance of rain in the area throughout the day with morning thunderstorms.

According to Eckert, it is at the district's discretion as to how the tournament should proceed this week. But if the weather continues to postpone games into the weekend, the Florida High School Athletic Association would have to be called upon.

"Chances are the FHSAA won't want us to start the tournament and then have to finish next week," Eckert said. "We're used to this, but this time of the year the kids are really stressed out."

Not only are the fourth-seeded Spartans looking to contend for a playoff spot, but they also have prom on Friday.

Talk about stress.

Meyla Hooker can be reached at 727 445-4224 or e-mail mhooker@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 27, 2005, 00:49:07]