Jamie Varga and Carleigh Deeds are trying to spread the game of softball to the Farmersville community.

Along with being all-district players on the varsity team, they’ve now opened a fastpitch defense clinic, helping players hone their skills and become better all-around players. With two camp days under their belt, Varga said it’s been a good start and she hopes to see it continue to grow.

“We’re really just trying to get kids to love softball and getting outside to get better at it,” Varga said. “We really want to help grow the game in our community.”

The first two camp dates were on May 25 and June 8. With no age restrictions for the group, the duo has three more camp dates on June 22, July 6 and July 20 at the Farmersville softball field.

Any player can come out and learn from the two stars on the varsity team. Head coach Paula Wilfong said she’s encouraging plenty of other players at all levels to go out and get extra reps in.

“We’re just starting with fundamentals and then hopefully, we can help young players work their way up,” Deeds said.

Varga and Deeds have grown up in the Texas Glory club softball program. The idea was inspired by camps they attended with the organization, including older players volunteering their time to help the young players get even better.

“When I was six or seven, around the age of some of our players, the club team I’m on began defensive camps to help us get better,” Varga said. “I figured it would be a great way to pay it forward and do the same for our community. I asked Deeds if she wanted to help me and it started from there. When I went, the older girls would come out and help me get even better and it felt a little more relatable. It was great to go out and learn from them.”

Deeds said she was interested in a future in coaching, while Varga said she didn’t envision coaching before this camp. Now, she finds herself thinking more about the opportunity to be a part of the game.

To read the full story, see next week’s issue of The Farmersville Times. Support your community newspaper for less than $40 a year.

By Kyle Grondin • [email protected]