Simmons looking to see DSL grow in first year as league commissioner
By Andy Collier, The Bolivar Bullet
On May 26, the Delta Softball League held its Fan Appreciation Day to start the season at Blanche K. Bruce Park in Rosedale.
Fans came out to cheer on their favorite teams as the Cleveland Rockies defeated the Pace Cardinals 13-3, the Shelby Sluggers defeated the Ruleville Pirates 12-1 and the Shaw Warriors slid by the Rosedale Gators 8-7. Last year, Shaw won the Delta Softball League Championship.
Delta Softball League Commissioner Nickalus Simmons knows his way around the league. He’s played with Cleveland, Mound Bayou, Rosedale Gators and Shaw Warriors.
Simmons, who is in his first year as league commissioner, has embraced his role with the league.
“It means a lot,” said Simmons. “I’m a former player of the league, and it’s been around 50 plus years. What we’re trying to do is bring more positivity out into the community, bring more people together and have some fun during the summer. It’s just a privilege to be over these guys and help raise up the youth. It’s something that shows the young men that even when you’re (playing) career is over with, you can still come out here and have fun. This is a pretty good thing we’ve got going on here.”
Simmons said the opening weekend with the DSL Fan Appreciation Day was a success.
“We’ve got a lot of positive feedback, and it’s been a good time,” said Simmons. “I think this is setting a foundation for something new where we can give back to the fans. We gave away free hot dogs, chips, soda and water to all children, women and players. I think this is something big that we’ve started up for the first time, and we’re going to try to keep this going.”
Players on the team in the DSL league are professional people with many of them having a lot of high school and college experience in athletics.
Simmons said the league has a lot of upside for the future.
“I think a lot of these guys have set huge stepping stones for the future,” said Simmons. “A lot of these former players, I’m glad to have them in the league. I think they’re great role models. We have a lot of kids ask me how old they have to be to play in the league. They’re like 15 or 16, and I tell them to at least wait until they’re 18 or a senior high school with their parents’ permission. I’m liking the future of it. This year, we had seven teams. It had went down a couple of years, but I think we’re starting to pick up. I think the future is going to be bright.”
Action in the DSL continued last weekend. On Saturday (June 1), Shelby defeated the Drew Eagles 15-0, Rosedale defeated
Cleveland 11-1 and Ruleville defeated Pace 11-9. On Sunday (June 2), Shelby defeated Rosedale 3-2, Shaw defeated Pace 20-12 and Ruleville defeated Drew 11-1.