By Angie Ledbetter

Since 2007 an indoor practice facility for the South Panola girls softball team has been talked about.

The talking is now a reality.

Concrete for the building was poured January 20 and the first frames went up on February 7. Frame work is complete and siding is up.

The 40 x 80 metal building will consist of a 12×50 batting cage, a 30×160 pitching area big enough for two pitchers, a 20×20 locker room with a restroom, a 30×14 weight room and a 20×10 office with storage space.

When the building is complete on the outside, the school’s maintenance department and Booster Club parents will put finishing touches on the inside.

Head fastpitch coach Ashleigh Hicks is very excited about the new facility.

“I’ve wanted this since I got here and I’m so ready for it to be finished.  I already have stuff to go in there.”

The girls are excited also.

 “One day the team couldn’t even practice because they were watching the last of the frame work go up.”

Hicks gives credit to several groups for making it possible.

“We want to thank the school officials, parents, coaches and everyone who is involved. The building shows what great support we have in the school, our community and parents.”

Hicks said there will be tournaments held in Tunica and at South Panola by traveling teams from every where to pay the yearly payment.

“We have local girls that play on the traveling teams also.”

A lot of work has been put into preparing the field also.

“I think it’s the best it’s looked as a whole. We have our fence in front of the dugout with the padding on them, put new infield dirt out, new warning track material, kept the grass up and worked on our bull pens.”