| Mildred Burrell, a pioneer in the women's and girls youth programs, has been inducted into the United States Slo-Pitch Association Hall of Fame in the Longevity Category. Burrell, a Chesterfield, Virginia native, has been an active member of the USSSA organization since the early 1970's. She co-founded the Virginia Belles women's softball team as manager, captured the USSSA Women's "B" World Championship in 1975. As Women's National Program Director from 1981-1987, she was instrumental in building team registrations and laying the groundwork for the first women's world series in 1988 at Garland, Texas. Burrell was appointed as the Girl's Youth National Program Director in 1975. It was as Girl's Youth National Program Director that she really hit her stride. Beginning with only 168 teams in 1976, her program now boast over 15,000 team registrations. .She was the driving force to go to the 11" ball in the women's and youth programs, and worked to put the re-entry rule into the women's program. Her never ending work has been instrumental in organizing youth player and coaches clinics all over the nation. In 1991 Burrell was presented with the coveted USSSA Presidents Award. She was honored in 1984 as the USSSA-DeBeers Sportswomen of the Year, and in 1991 became the recipient of the USSSA/Worth Youth Director of the Year Award. In 1991 she spearheaded the girl's youth tour to the Soviet Union. At the time Burrell's induction into the USSSA National Hall of Fame she had previously been enshrined into the USSSA Oklahoma State Hall of Fame, the USSSA South Carolina Hall of Fame, and the USSSA Virginia State Hall of Fame. To Mildred, the kids are her life. Overseeing their development into fine adults from the good lessons they learn in softball is one of her main objectives. A local television announcer best described the high regard with which she is held by players and parents alike. When he quoted a young ball player as ," Mildred gives the best hugs." |