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Softball fun spans three generations

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By John Bombatch

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BEAVERCREEK — As Joanna Warner, 7, oh-so-patiently waited for her softball game to begin, she couldn’t stop smiling. With her mom and dad as assistant coaches, and her grandfather as the head coach, a night of Beavercreek Youth Softball Association fun at Rotary Park’s Lefty McFadden Youth Complex has become a three-generation family affair.

Frank Flynn is the Ernst Concrete-sponsored team’s head coach. His daughter, Cheri (Flynn) Warner serves as an assistant coach along with her husband, Matt. Joanna is Frank’s granddaughter.

Three generations of softball players on the same green-clad team.

“We were able to get our team pictures taken tonight, before the rain came. So that was a lucky break,” Flynn said. He estimated that he’s been coaching BYSA teams “for forever or so.

“We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather so far this season,” he added. “We had one make-up game, and we’ve already made that one up, so we were in pretty good shape.”

Cheri Warner remembers coming to her brother John’s T-ball and coaches pitch games at Rotary Park as a kid. Now she’s enjoying having Joanna learn the game and have fun playing the sport of softball. She took up the sport in junior high and also played in high school.

“Joanna played T-Ball her first year. This is her second year of Rookie League (coach’s pitch), and she really enjoys it,” Cheri said. “They have fun. It gives us something to do during the summer, and it gives them a chance to make new friends, and some of the kids are old friends … They learn how to be a part of a team sport, and I think that’s a great thing,” Cheri Warner said.

Sipping from a water bottle, Joanna was still patiently sitting on the dugout bench, waiting to play her game.

“I like playing softball, because it’s fun,” she said. “I like batting the best.”

According to their website, the BYSA was first formed in 1983. In each of the past five years, the association has registered more than 1,300 kids on more than 90 youth softball teams. Including a College/Alumni League, there are 96 BYSA teams this season.

While Wednesday’s BYSA leagues were able to get in the scheduled 6 p.m. games, the 7:20 p.m. games (including Joanna’s Ernst Concrete game with Comfort Solutions), as well as the games set for 8:30 and 9:40, had to be cancelled for the night. They will be rescheduled for a later and dryer date.

Family fun on the Ernst Concrete youth softball team spans three generations this season at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park. From left to right: assistant coach Cheri (Flynn) Warner, Rookie League player Joanna Warner, and coach Frank Flynn are all on the same team.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_ThreeGenerations_PS.jpgFamily fun on the Ernst Concrete youth softball team spans three generations this season at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park. From left to right: assistant coach Cheri (Flynn) Warner, Rookie League player Joanna Warner, and coach Frank Flynn are all on the same team. John Bombatch | Greene County News

With a Wright State Physical Therapy runner perched on second base, a pair of Call & Associates infielders devise a defensive strategy in the dirt, during Wednesday’s Minor League youth softball game at Rotary Park in Beavercreek.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_DirtPlay_PS.jpgWith a Wright State Physical Therapy runner perched on second base, a pair of Call & Associates infielders devise a defensive strategy in the dirt, during Wednesday’s Minor League youth softball game at Rotary Park in Beavercreek. John Bombatch | Greene County News

A Beck Law Office player adjusts his helmet during a Beavercreek Youth Softball Association Rookie League game, Wednesday at the Lefty McFadden Youth Complex at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_BeckHelmet_PS.jpgA Beck Law Office player adjusts his helmet during a Beavercreek Youth Softball Association Rookie League game, Wednesday at the Lefty McFadden Youth Complex at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park. John Bombatch | Greene County News

Members of the purple-clad Greene County Youth Activity Fund ball club try to chase down a ground ball to the infield, during a Rookie League (Coaches Pitch) contest Wednesday at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_PurpleDefense_PS.jpgMembers of the purple-clad Greene County Youth Activity Fund ball club try to chase down a ground ball to the infield, during a Rookie League (Coaches Pitch) contest Wednesday at Beavercreek’s Rotary Park. John Bombatch | Greene County News

A Dayton Children’s Hospital-sponsored batter lays into a pitch during Wednesdays’ Beavercreek Youth Softball Association league action on the Lefty McFadden Youth Complex in Beavercreek’s Rotary Park.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_LtBlueSwing_PS.jpgA Dayton Children’s Hospital-sponsored batter lays into a pitch during Wednesdays’ Beavercreek Youth Softball Association league action on the Lefty McFadden Youth Complex in Beavercreek’s Rotary Park. John Bombatch | Greene County News

A young batter swings at a Coaches Pitch toss during youth softball action at Rotary Park.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/06/web1_GreenSwing_PS.jpgA young batter swings at a Coaches Pitch toss during youth softball action at Rotary Park. John Bombatch | Greene County News

By John Bombatch

[email protected]