by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Though Friday’s softball game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville between City Hall and the members of the media is just for fun, that hasn’t curbed much of the verbal jousting. City Council president Jerry Holland, the City’s team captain, is already making predictions.
“We’re going to win,” said Holland. “We’re not worried at all.”
In evaluating players on each team, Holland expressed confidence that the media was “more than matched player for player.”
“We’ve got some really good men and women on the roster and there really isn’t any competition,” said Holland. “Tryouts weren’t easy and we had to make some cuts for the betterment of the team, but we’re remaining focused while they’re all out in left field.”
Not surprisingly, Holland — who also coaches baseball at Paxon High School — has already spotted some potential team leaders.
“Mayor [John] Delaney is a very solid player,” said Holland. “He’s strong in the infield and he knows how to put the bat on the ball.”
Holland also cited Council member Doyle Carter as “the best second baseman I’ve ever played with.”
“[Council member] Reggie Fullwood is a power hitter who can drive home some runs,” he said. “And I think we’ve got a sleeper in [City Council auditor] Bob Johnson. He’s a wicked pitcher. Our women are just as strong. People may have forgotten, but [Council aide] Heather Patterson is a former college softball player and she’s quick on her feet.”
And Holland still may have a few more tricks up his sleeve.
“I can’t tell you everything,” he said, “but we’ve got some ringers that, I think, are going to surprise a lot of people.”
When asked about any injuries, Holland said everything has been smooth, thus far.
“I know that when the Council played the mayor’s office a few years back, we had a few people get hurt,” he said, making reference to five players who limped their way through the game. “They were mostly injuries involving the hamstring, so I’ve been making sure that everyone is stretching as much as we can between now and game time.”