DEMOPOLIS &8212; The Sports-Plex played host Thursday to 60 girls who showed up to hone their skills in the Second Annual Players&8217; Clinic, a joint venture of the Demopolis Dixie Youth Softball League and the Demopolis High School softball team.

The clinic allowed youth leaguers the rare opportunity to work on all aspects of their games with the girls who play it at the high school level. The five dozen attendees spent time developing their fielding, throwing, pitching, hitting and base running skills while receiving a great deal of individual attention from Tiger players.

While DHS coaches Joey Browder, Kyle Williams and Shannon Goggins were present to supervise, the instruction was handled primarily by the players.

That sentiment seemed to be echoed by many of the girls in attendance. Meredith Mackin, who has taken part in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the clinic, attested to the event improving her skills and said she hopes to return next year.

While the clinic offers obvious benefits to the Dixie Youth players, Petrey believes it also benefits the league, and ultimately the Demopolis softball programs, as well.

He reported 169 girls participated in Dixie Youth in 2007 and the league has already signed up 180 this year without having yet counted the older age group.

While the girls may be the future of the DHS program, they must first make it through the challenges of learning the game. Clinic organizers are optimistic the three hours the players spent Thursday night with their older peers will go a long way in accomplishing that task.