All-stars appreciate what they have accomplished

By CAREY FREEMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 6, 2000

INVERNESS -- To fully understand the significance of the Inverness Senior All-Stars' first trip to the South Region softball championship, step for a moment into the shoes of ace pitcher Tabitha Schruffer.

A veteran of three previous trips to the state tournament, there are few on this team with her perspective and even fewer who can appreciate fully the sense of accomplishment.

"I've been to state three times, and it's so unbelievable. You never would have thought this would happen," Schruffer said. "I've been in All-Stars for six years now. And every year, we work so hard, and we always lose at state.

"The teams there are so tough. And this year, it was just unbelievable. We're still in denial."

Schruffer isn't the only one with an appreciation of the moment. John Gelin, her all-star coach the past two years and father of teammates Courtenay and Whitney Gelin, was one of nearly 100 county residents in attendance at the team's sendoff Friday. He was there to support his daughters and the league he has been a part of for nearly a decade.

"It's great for these kids because they've been doing this since age 11," Gelin said. "This is a nice culmination for them and great for the whole program because this represents the effort of 15, 20, 25 coaches that have worked with these kids over the years."

Inverness takes today off before begining play in Waco, Texas, on Monday.

The tournament seems more open than in the past, when dominating powers like Greater Naples (10 World Championships, including eight consecutive between 1989-96) ruled the tournament.

This year's field has a small-town feel as the other three team come from communities similar to Inverness.

Needsville, Texas, is just more than 40 miles southwest of Houston. Canton, N.C. is 20 miles outside of Asheville, and Rockmart, Ga., the hometown of Crystal River football coaching legend Earl Bramlett, is nearly 50 miles northwest of Atlanta.

The field has left an impression on at least one former all-star. Gina Reynolds, whose teams in 1996-97 were the first from Inverness to qualify for the state tournament, said she believes strongly in this team's chances.

"I think it's great," said Reynolds, who will pitch for Stetson next season. "I think it's good that we finally got somebody to go there. I'm very happy for them, and I think they have a really good chance."

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