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04/23/2014 12:00 AMDustin Huguenin is showing Guilford that, at this time of year, it's not just kids who get to step up to the plate.
The Virginia Beach native became Guilford Parks and Recreation's recreation specialist last April after previously directing sports leagues at the Easton Community Center in Fairfield. This spring, Dustin is beginning his initial campaign as the director of both the Guilford Parks and Recreation's men's and co-ed softball leagues that are running from May 19 until August.
?These leagues have been going on for a long time, but they didn't run in the spring last year so I'm trying to get it running again," says Dustin. "I was told that they had 28-30 teams in the leagues in the early 1990s so I want to get back to that prominence. Everything is looking good so far. We have about 10-12 teams ready for the co-ed league and about half that for the men."
Dustin was a part of the organization's fall softball leagues this past year and one thing that really amazed him was the hard work and effort put in by the players off the diamond.
"In the fall, I was really impressed with the initiative the captains and players showed," Dustin says. "I would get phone calls every day from the captains with thoughts on how to improve the league, what we should keep the same, etc. In meetings, we were constantly going over things and I was just really overall impressed with the support and commentary of the participants. The competition was great and everyone was supportive of one another."
Town Parks and Recreation Director Rick Maynard praises Dustin for his commitment to both the leagues and the overall solid job he's done.
"Dustin is a great guy who transitioned well here and is very well-organized," says Maynard. "He is working hard to get these softball leagues going again. He has good interaction with the players and he is very easy to work with. He works hard, makes great flyers to promote things, is well-rounded, and a great asset to the department."
Dustin adds that camaraderie is developing among the athletes who have either competed or intend to play this May and says they also express gratitude about the opportunity provided to them.
"Everyone is really pleased with the offerings we bring in the spring and summer months. I get emails from people saying how pleased and satisfied they are to see these offerings," says Dustin. "There is also a sense of community among the players. They become friends. The biggest praise I think I've gotten is how accommodating we are to work around the job schedules of the players, too."
Knowing there are those that participate to have fun and others that are in it to win it, Dustin aims for a day where the leagues can divide up based on people's desires on the diamond.
"Thirty teams would be incredible, but I would love to see a 15-team, two-division league someday. We will try to make the fields efficient as possible and work together," Dustin says. "I would like to see A and B divisions for serious and not-as-serious players. There are those players that want to keep going to regional and even national tournaments so I would love to put both the recreational aspect and competitive side together."
From a personal view, Dustin notices that the tables turn during these games as the usual sluggers become spectators in watching mom and dad try to knock one out of the park.
"It's great to see everyone competing and having fun. The parents spend a lot of time bringing their kids to games so it's great to see the kids cheering on the parents and then the parents letting loose out there," says Dustin. "It's a role reversal that's funny to see and probably the coolest part about it."
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