Team shares bond of blood on ballfield

Most families gather at Thanksgiving and certainly Christmas.

But for the Marler family, they gather every Wednesday evening — at the ball field.

Family Ties co-ed softball team, sponsored by Glass Doctor of Niceville, is made up of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins or in-laws, all descendants to one of Destin’s original families, William T. and Camilla Marler.

For some on the team, playing ball is something they do all the time, but for others they had to dust off or even buy a glove.
The oldest on the team is 58-year-old Sharon Dillon.

“It’s been about 20 years since I’ve played,” Dillon said, who is a great granddaughter of William T. Marler.

“I’m loving it, but I think they are taking pity on me,” she said, by not throwing the ball to her as hard as they can.
“I think they think about it before they throw it,” she said.

After three games, Dillon is carrying a .250 batting average.

“My proudest moment was when I hit a double to right field,” she said. “I was ready to retire after that.”

Dillon’s sister, Karen Parrish, was the one who originally came up with the idea of forming the family team.

Parrish and her brother, Richard Lawson, have played in the city softball leagues for years as well as some of their kids.

“I thought ... we’ve got enough for a team, let’s do it,” Parrish said.

Family Ties is all about having fun.

“I know my sister (Karen) and brother (Richard) and nephews are very competitive, but we’re here for fun,” Dillon said.

“And there’s been a whole lot of fun practicing and fun at the games,” Dillon said.“Everybody seems to get along really well,” Parrish said.

However they do joke around a lot on the ball field.

Parrish said it’s kind of funny when “your kids are out there saying come on Mom do this or that.” That’s when Parrish said she just says “shut-up, I know what I’m doing,”

Parrish has a .444 batting average after three games.

The team has five veteran players and seven rookie players.

One of the rookies and youngest on the team is David Meadows, son of Parrish.

“It’s a good time ... playing and relaxing,” Meadows said. “I look forward to Wednesdays now.”

Meadows plays third base and outfield and is carrying a .444 batting average also.

The player on the team with the highest batting average is Richard Lawson. Lawson, who is batting a 1.000, is loving the family team thing.
“I think it’s outstanding,” Lawson said. “The greatest thing to me is that we’re all descendants of William T. Marler. And we all get along.
“There are no downers on the team ... we cheer each other on.” he said.

Lawson who’s played more than half his life says this is “less stressful” than playing on other teams.
“We’re just having a lot of fun,” he said.

Parrish, who has been part of some “great teams” like Florida Septic and Sewer and South Walton Chiropractic, says “this is the most fun I’ve ever had. You look around and there’s your brother, sister or a cousin. And it’s not as stressful ... things just happen and you laugh.
“I’ve enjoyed it so much,” she said. “It gives me a high playing with my brother and sister. I’ve never had that opportunity before.”

Sandy Trammell, another great granddaughter of William T. Marler, plays second base and outfield for Family Ties.

“I love it. We have a good time. I’m glad Karen came up with the idea.”

Trammell said she hadn’t played since high school.

“I thought I was done,” she said. But then she started playing ball with Destin Water Users two years ago, and now she’s with family.
“That’s the best thing ... to get out there with your family,” she said. “It helps you keep in shape and have fun at the same time.”

Before the family team joined the league, she laughingly said, “it seemed like the only time we got together was to eat,” over the holidays.

But on the ball field, “everybody laughs and has a hoot ... it’s just great to have family,” Trammell said.

Family Ties softball is something the family hopes to continue in years to come.