Softball Players Learn About Southern Storms

Dozens of softball players from around the country are learning about southern storms.

The players are here for the World Series of Softball at the Summit.

Team Miken from Scranton, Pennsylvania was trying to advance to the next round Tuesday, playing the Devil Dogs from Lowell, Indiana.

Monday’s violent storms gave them a quick lesson on summer in the south.

“It was a lot more intense than our storms in Pennsylvania. The lightning was more noticeable and it was a lot louder,” said pitcher Erika Mackie.

“It was just very intense, I guess you could say,” said first baseman Carrie Kobrynick.

The girls and their parents know these southern storms are nothing to play with, and they should use common sense when one pops up.

“We saw it coming over the hill, so we told the kids to keep your stuff packed up. First bolt of lightning we saw we went to the cars,” said parent Mark Kirsten.

And that's the rule when storms strike - get inside, either a building or car.

In between storms, it's the intense heat that's keeping coaches minds on the weather.

“So this is a little extreme for us, but (we have) lots of drinks, fluids, cold towels. Just stay cool, get under the misting fans that they have here,” said Miken head coach Mike Sladichi.

The ladies aren't going to let weather spoil their stay in Chattanooga. They are absolutely in love with the city's newest softball complex at The Summit.

“What do you think about these fields?” asked NewsChannel 9’s John Pless.

“They're amazing. Yeah, they're probably the best the nicest fields I've ever played on,” Mackie said.

“We saw this complex back in November and we said, ‘We have to come here.’ It's absolutely beautiful,” Sladichi said.