Mary Petitt, in her fifth year with the Howard Palmetto Khoury League, will be the vice president in charge of handling Division IV softball for the upcoming season.

Mary Petitt, VP Division IV softball

Married to John Petitt and the mother of two daughters ­ Britny, 12, and Erin, 8, -- Ms. Petitt will take on the duties of making sure the coaches in Division IV abide by the rules and that all the girls who participate enjoy themselves for the four-month season.

"My biggest challenge is to reemphasize to the coaches that the league is designed to help the kids, not to accumulate wins," said Petitt. "It really takes special people to volunteer and help keep an organization strong."

Not only has Petitt taken on the duties as Vice President of Division IV softball, she also coaches one of her daughters' teams every year.

"I switch every year and take turns coaching my daughters from year to year," she said.

Over the years, Petitt has watched the changes in the Khoury league and found that it caters to all the people.

"All levels of talent are welcome,"

she said. "So many times you find people reluctant to play organized sports because they have the idea in their heads that it's only for those who are the best players in the sports. And in the Howard Palmetto Khoury League that's just not true.

"Kids of all levels come through the program and my biggest satisfaction is just watching them develop into great players."

Division 4 season play begins in late January.