Among numerous military accolades and achievements, Fort Jackson might have another first.
Mercy Rule, an all-female intramural softball team, has arrived on post. The team, made up of military spouses, started its season this spring.
"We're here to have fun," said Beth Smith, first baseman.
Mercy Rule is the brainchild of Shannon Grover. Grover, wife of Drill Sergeant Mark Grover and a history major at the University of South Carolina, called her friend Amy Scarpulla one February morning and asked, "Do you want to play softball'"
Grover, who played softball as a middle and high schooler in her home state of Washington, decided to use the sport as an outlet, an activity, which would be a respite from the demands of military life and school.
Scarpulla, also the wife of a drill sergeant, agreed.
"They don't have many options for the spouses and family members on Fort Jackson," Scarpulla said.
"So, we created our own," Grover added.
Grover and Scarpulla called Fort Jackson's recreation department, listed their team and began recruiting other military wives to join.
Grover signed on as the team's pitcher. Scarpulla decided to play shortshop and be the "team trash-talker."
Their husbands supported their effort. Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Scarpulla and his unit, the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, provided uniforms. Grover's husband signed up as team parent.
Mercy Rule's roster quickly filled. "We had a lot of requests to add people on but we couldn't," Shannon Grover said. Their 16-member team was off to practice.
This season, the team is set to play about 20 games against other mostly all-male teams on post and from other nearby military installations.
Grover said their male competitors have also been supportive of their team.
"For the most part, the guys have been really good to us," Grover said. "They understand that we're women trying to have fun. They cheer us."
Cindi Keene, of the FMWR Community Recreation Division, said in her seven years as sports coordinator, this is the first time she has registered a women's intramural softball team.
"I think it's great that they're out here playing against predominantly all-male teams," Keene said.
Grover added that though the team's name references a softball/baseball rule in which a team loses so badly to another that "mercy" is called and the game is ended early, she never wants that to be the case for her and her players.
"My personal goal is not to use the mercy rule at all," she said.
Although the team lost its first three games, Mercy Rule remains hopeful that it will win some games by the time the season ends in late August.
"We put forth the effort. We're actually playing, and we're pretty good," Amy Scarpulla said.
Delawese.Fulton@us.army.mil
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