VIDALIA — Normally Adams County Christian School, Cathedral School and Vidalia High School won’t play each other during the high school softball season for a multitude of reason — primarily because of ACCS and Cathedral are both private and in Mississippi while Vidalia is public and in Louisiana. However, in the summer, they do thanks to the summer league at the Concordia Parish Recreational Complex.

“The way the league is designed is that you can sign up your high school team to play,” said Vidalia head coach Forrest Foster. “It’s real good for us, ACCS and Cathedral.”

The league provides multiple benefits to the three teams. Yet the biggest one is the Rebels, Green Wave and Vikings get to evaluate players who might play a crucial role next season.

Vidalia’s season ended in April. Due to the transition from high school to summer league ball, Foster said it gives the Vikings an extra chance to gauge which young players are progressing.

As for ACCS and Cathedral, the league gives them a chance to get extra practices in during the summer before their respective seasons kickoff in late July.

“It’s a good deal for the kids,” Foster said “It really benefits Cathedral and AC, more than does (Vidalia). It allows their pitchers to sharpen prior to their season starting because ours is over. After (Friday night), we can’t pick a ball up until January 19.”

Barry Iseminger, who coaches Cathedral during the summer league, went onto add just how useful it is for the Green Wave.

“We can only practice so much,” Iseminger said. “These games give our players live batting practice, which is hard to get in practice in a timely manner. It’s just great game experience to get them back in the rhythm before we get back over there. And, with other local schools coming in, it gives good competition.”

Although this league may seem out of the ordinary, it’s not.

Ever since Foster has been coaching fast pitch softball — which is 14 years — ACCS, Cathedral and Vidalia have all participated in this league ever since it started.

“We played in the league in Ferriday,” Foster said. “Then we moved to the old (Vidalia) complex. I have been coaching in this league ever since it started. So this is nothing new.”

Even though the league is primarily for ACCS and Cathedral to get into rhythm before their season begins, and for Vidalia to see who can be future contributors, it is also determines who will be on the all-star squad later this summer.

Cathedral will give its players the month of June in order for them to enjoy their summer vacation and attend a variety of camps. However, once June, starts it will be all business for the Green Wave and likely for the Rebels as well.

“We only had two seniors graduate,” Iseminger said. “We have a ton of girls returning. However, we have two spots to fill and this league allows us to determine who can fill them. But after (Friday night) we will give our players a break, and then once July comes, we will hit the practice field hard.”