Rye Cove's 'Varsity Play Day' to benefit St. Jude's

CLINCHPORT — Softball season is approaching fast at Rye Cove, which is just two years removed from claiming the Eagles' first-ever state championship. Five schools looking to prepare for the upcoming season will meet on Saturday at Rye Cove for what is being called "Varsity Play Day," a five-game collection of scrimmages that are also meant to help in the fight against childhood cancer, a frequent topic in recent months in Scott County and surrounding communities. Joining the Eagles at the softball field behind Rye Cove High School will be Patrick Henry, Virginia High, Twin Springs and Harlan, Ky. Rye Cove will play Patrick Henry at 9:30 a.m., followed by Virginia High-Patrick Henry (11:15 a.m.), Harlan-Virginia High (1 p.m.), Twin Springs-Harlan (2:45 p.m.) and Rye Cove-Twin Springs (4:30 p.m.). "We have had a bunch of schools in play, some of them had to back out due to basketball running long," Edwards said. "We were finally able to settle with this five to participate Saturday. We are thankful for them and hopefully we can all see some things to get ourselves ready as the regular season approaches here in a couple of weeks." While there is no admission, donations are encouraged and will be provided to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis for the care they have provided to area children and their families. "There is no entry fee to the games. We will be taking donations at the game and all of the proceeds are going to St. Jude's," Edwards said. "I don't have a specific goal, just whatever people can contribute we are going to be thankful for and we will just see where it goes from there since it is our first time doing this." Edwards, who has replaced Nick Hood as head coach of the Eagles, witnessed the horrors of childhood cancer when Rye Cove student Sheena Osborne died of a rare form of leukemia in 2001. He said that St. Jude's was instrumental in helping Osborne and her family during that time, and they continue to assist with area children in need. There is a monument at the school in Osborne's memory. "I am hoping to turn this into an annual event with so many people affected in our county and so appreciative of the work that St. Jude's does in how they have cared for these kids in need and their families as well," Edwards said. "It is a place that has been near and dear to us for quite some time... "That was a really tough time in life for many of us. Those things happen, but we are super thankful for what St. Jude's was able to do for them in that time of need." Childhood cancer has been a topic of interest in recent months in Scott County, and it goes beyond the county lines. Edwards recalled that Savannah Adams, the daughter of former J.I. Burton softball coach Tim Adams, was diagnosed a couple of years ago with thyroid canter near the end of her volleyball season. "We talked about trying to do something like this as a way to give back to St. Jude's for all the help they provide," Edwards said. "Thankfully, Savannah was able to be cured and able to play her senior year of softball." Edwards said that around 4-to-6 elementary-aged children in Scott County are currently dealing with the disease. He encourages any children and their families dealing with childhood cancer to attend the games and efforts will be made to get them involved, such as throwing out a first pitch. "I am hoping that any of those that may have recently been impacted by cancer and going to St. Jude's, if they are healthy and able to come to the games on Saturday," Edwards said. "We are trying to get them involved if they are able just to show how much we appreciate being able to see them there at the event doing things they love." St. Jude's was founded in 1962 by Danny Thomas and has been renowned for assisting families of children strickened with cancer by paying for treatment, travel, housing and food. "Anything your insurance doesn't not cover, my understanding is they go ahead and take care of and help provide housing and everything else for those families," Edwards said. "It is an absolutely wonderful place for those in need." Rye Cove will open its regular season on March 17 against Harlan, Ky., with the first home game slate for March 20 against Union. Hopes are high for what will be a young collection of Eagles. "It is going to be interesting. We have a lot of people to replace, graduation hit us hard so we are looking to see what the work the girls have been putting in, seeing how it shows up against somebody other than themselves in practice and show us what we have got to fix as the season gets ready to become real on the 17th," Edwards said. That is little doubt those players will be playing for those affected by cancer as well. "I am sure they will be looking forward to seeing somebody in a different color uniform in front of them," Edwards said. "They have got classmates that have siblings that have been affected by cancer and spent time away so they all rally around things that are going to help their friends' families also." Temperatures are expected to soar into the 70s on Saturday so Edwards is hoping area residents will take the time to not only catch some softball, but contribute to a good cause as well. "We just welcome anybody that wants to come," Edwards said. "If they can bring a donation we would greatly appreciate it. We are just trying to give back to those who are around us."