BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

When Rick Bill learned Stafford County was hosting the Babe Ruth 14U Softball State Tournament, he was ecstatic.

Bill is the commissioner for District 8 softball.

The district featured just two teams when the announcement was made last year, but others soon joined.

Eight teams from multiple districts are on hand for the state tournament that began yesterday at Smith Lake Park. The event ends tomorrow.

Bill said the outpouring of support that Stafford receives makes it the key to the tournament's success.

"It's one of the only places I know that has this much support county-wide," Bill said. "If you go to Manassas, you have the City Council in that small little area. When you go to Leesburg, it's just the Town Council. Very few others will be supported like this."

Teams from Shenandoah, Manassas, Warren County, Herndon, Western Loudoun, Skyline and Leesburg are playing in the state tournament.

Stafford's team is in its early stages.

The Stafford Baseball League introduced a softball program in 2010.

Softball was originally run by the Stafford County Parks and Recreation department.

But Ken White, who coaches the 14U team and is the SBL's softball director, said the department didn't have the manpower to continue operating the softball program.

Still, Parks and Rec helps by supplying facilities. It also provides maintenance.

White said the county's School Board, Board of Supervisors and the community also pitch in.

"Everybody has been real supportive of this enterprise," White said. "We've got volunteers all over the place. The baseball teams are supporting us. Hopefully if we're successful, the support will increase."

The Stafford team defeated Shenandoah 12-3 yesterday in the first round of the tournament.

Stafford hosts Manassas today at 1 p.m. and Warren County tonight at 6.

Two other teams from District 8 are in the tournament. Stafford earned an automatic bid because it's the host team.

Robert Dreistadt, president of SBL's softball organization, said the Stafford team is expected to contend for the title and advance to the Southeast regional in two weeks in Richmond.

"I do believe the 14-year-old Stafford team will win this," Dreistadt said. "This is a good team with a very good coach."

White said all of his players played for their middle school or high school teams last year.

Gabby Palmer was the starting pitcher for Brooke Point as a freshman.

She said she plays with Stafford instead of a travel team because many of her friends do.

"I've been playing with these girls for a long time," Palmer said. "So it's fun."

White and others who run the softball side of the SBL are hoping that Palmer's attitude catches on.

They want more kids to see the level of play and realize they don't have to play travel softball to be tested.

So far, it appears to be working.

Twenty-seven teams participated in the 8U, 10U, 12U and 16U programs this past spring.

"I would bet we'll probably have as many players this fall," White said. "And next spring, it will probably double in size."

Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com