We are less than a month away from the start of fall practice, and in addition to the many football coaches in the county, I am extremely excited at what the fall will bring.

Finally, the smell of green grass from the football field and the “smack” from a volleyball spike will grace my ears.

Per last week’s column, I can’t believe at how fast this summer has flown by.

Coaches that I have talked to about their team’s summer workouts agree.

“Summer has absolutely flown by,” Red Level coach Tony Ingram said. “(The fall football season) (is) fixing to be here. You don’t really get a sense of that until you go to something like (a) 7-on-7, and you say, ‘wow, it’s fixing to be here.’ It just never does get old, and we’re just anxious to get started.”

I am anxious too coach, believe me.

At the end of this month, and the beginning of August, two things will take place almost simultaneously — the end of All-Stars, and the special publication of the baseball and softball tab the Star-News sends out to its readers.

Last weekend, the 2010 Alabama State Babe Ruth softball tournament took place at the Andalusia Sports Complex, and it was a success by the shear number of people that came for it.

Despite the heat, parents, aunts, uncles, siblings and grandparents all attended to watch the girls play.

It was a successful tournament where the South Alabama 14-and-under, Covington County 12-and-under, 10-and-under, 8-and-under All-Stars each won their tournaments at the Andalusia Sports Complex.

Each team will make an appearance at the Babe Ruth softball regional tournament in Altamonte Springs, Fla. July 22.

Congratulations ladies!

Shifting gears to the recreational tab, I am still in need team pictures and players names from the Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth and All-Stars baseball and softball leagues. I have all of the city’s 33 baseball and softball teams with names, plus 11 All-Stars pictures. The All-Stars pictures include both the city and county leagues.

So, please e-mail them to sports@andalusiastarnews.com.

When e-mailing the team photos, include the names of each player and coaches in the order they are sitting or standing in the picture, because the edition will be published in less than two weeks.

Even if you think you’ve already sent your child’s team’s picture into me, send it in anyway.

I do really appreciate the help the parents have and will give into this project.

By the way, to those that are reading this today, there are 15 days left until fall football practice begins.