Beaman pitch opens Cashion complex
STILL GOT IT – Linzee (Roby) Beaman delivers the first pitch as members of the Cashion softball team look on Monday. Cashion was opening its newly-renovated softball complex, which included new turf. Beaman was on Cashion’s first-ever fastpitch team a
Cashion’s softball past met its present on the field of its future on Monday.
The program’s new softball complex was unveiled during a ceremony held prior to an intrasquad scrimmage.
Cashion’s complex recently had new turf installed along with a number of other improvements.
To commemorate its opening, the program’s first and only All-State player - Linzee (Roby) Beaman delivered the ceremonial first pitch.
She delivered the pitch to her onetime Cashion teammate Kristal (Nealis) Green.
Together, they were on Cashion’s first softball team in 1998.
Beaman, now married to Okarche baseball coach Ryan Beaman, was a threetime pitcher of the year in Cashion’s conference before earning All-State honors as a senior.
She went on to pitch at Cowley County Community College and then the University of Arkansas.
“Linzee was not only a trailblazer for Cashion’s fastpitch program, she set the bar high and we strive for each player to work hard to follow in her footsteps,” said Superintendent Shane Hood in introducing her to the crowd.
The Roby footprints are strong in Cashion football, as Hood explained.
Randy Roby, her father, served as an assistant coach on the team and also helped build the initial softball field on the very spot the team now plays.
Among those helping literally build the program were Nealis’ father as well as D.L. “Dud” Robertson, Charley Robinson and several other Cashion supporters.
“Their hard work, vision and love for the game gives girls today the opportunity to be a part of something special,” Hood said.
Beaman delivered the first pitch - and then a second - to Green as members of the current Cashion team and coaching staff looked on from the infield.
Among those in the stands was Rob McFall, Cashion’s softball coach in the playing days of Green and Beaman. McFall made the drive from Carthage, Texas.
Added Hood: “We are so proud to have Linzee throw out our first pitch today to make the beginning of a new era on our turf field. Please join me in welcoming a Cashion legend, a devoted teammate, a loving mother and wife and forever Wildcat - Linzee Roby Beaman!”
“This was a very exciting and emotional day for Kristal and I to get out on this very same spot where we played together 20-plus years ago,” wrote Beaman in a Facebook post afterward. “And having our first fastpitch softball coach, McFall, drive six hours just to surprise us was a remarkable moment that made this celebration even more special.
“Although I may be pretty rusty from pitching, I still had so much fun celebrating the new upgrades to the softball field.”
After the first pitch(es), the current team members introduced themselves to the crowd before taking part in their scrimmage.