Once the Greenville Softball Complex became a reality, a City employee set out to schedule what has become a regular event n The Butler Activity Center/Greenville Fire Department softball game.

"Whenever we look at ourselves, thinking that we have life hard, we can always look around us and find someone else that is especially challenged," said Capt. Andy McKeown, of the Greenville Fire Department. "This is one event that I look forward to all the time."

McKeown and other members of the fire department have gathered at least once a year to play softball with the consumers of the Activity Center.

"I've been doing this for many years," McKeown said. "And some of the folks from the center have been there from the beginning."

McKeown said the love and warmth can be felt like no other feeling when he sees the smiles of his special friends' faces, and they are laughing, and enjoying the day in the fresh air.

"Some of these guys can run as fast as lightning," McKeown said. "I am exhausted by the end of the day."

Elaine Sexton, an employee at the Activity Center, said the consumers came back excited after the day's event.

"They all came back to the center singing their own individual versions of the excitement of their day n they absolutely live for things like this," she said.

McKeown said plans are already being made for the next game. "We would like to have another game, later in the evening, when it is a little cooler," McKeown said. "And The Greenville Advocate has agreed to join in with us the next time."