One local woman who is passionate about softball is hosting the first-ever Woman’s Softball Reunion this Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Riverside Park.

Maggie Hatcher, who started out playing softball in the cow pasture behind her house when she was a child, played softball in this area for 34 years. The 64-year-old said she came up with the idea to have the reunion “off the top of her head.”

She’s hoping that ladies who have played softball over the years and the ones playing now will come out for food and fellowship to celebrate women in softball.

“I’m hoping we will have about 100 to 200 ladies or more,” said Hatcher, who said many of the ladies she played with have already called to say they will be attending. “So far everybody is tickled about it.”

She’d like to see the reunion continue on every year.

While some of her former teammates have passed away, she’s hoping to see old friends and meet some new friends at the reunion this year.

Hatcher started playing baseball on the boys team at J.J. Jones School at the age of 10. She began playing girls softball at 16. She continued until she was 50.

Over the years, she played for different teams.

“Honey, I couldn’t tell you all of the names of the teams. When I was 16, I started playing with the ‘Chicken House Bunch’ in Dobson.”

She said this reunion is all women who played softball or anyone who coached women’s softball.

Recalling the early years playing the game, Hatcher said the girls didn’t wear uniforms because they were too uncomfortable. She said they only had matching shirts that had the team name and the player’s number on them.

She said the girls wore shorts and pants in those days. When asked if the girls wore skirts like in the movie, “A League of Their Own,” she said, “No Lord, you couldn’t play no ball in no dress.”

She said the girls just like getting together to play ball and have fun.

“We didn’t have no fighting and no fussing — we just had fun.”

She remembered some of the ladies she used to play ball with including Gail Hiatt, Thelma Allen and Nancy Brindle. She said she’s still looking for Dorothy McGee.

Coaches who are planning to attend are asked to bring hamburger and hot dog buns and drinks. Players are asked to bring fixings for hot dogs and hamburgers, and desserts.

For more information, or to let Maggie Hatcher know one plans to attend, call 320-2657.

Reach Mondee Tilley at mtilley@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1930.