It was Jones' mother, Kerry Smith, who introduced her to the game and now it's her kids that have brought her back.

Smith was always been heavily involved as a player and coach which meant at the age of five, Jones picked up the bat to play in the Campbelltown competition.

That lasted until 2008 when Jones was 22 and she injured her shoulder while taking a catch, ending her softball days for the time being.

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The Joneses moved to Tamworth a decade ago and then three years back, daughter Melody, 11, took up the sport.

Jones followed her daughter back into the sport in a big way.

She is on the Tamworth Softball Association committee, helps out with the juniors in whatever way she can and also plays for Savages.

Jones just has to take it easy on her shoulder which is prone to dislocating.

"I play second base so I don't have to throw it as much but I used to be a pitcher," Jones said.

"That's what's hard for me - I'm not really meant to overarm it and because I'm a windmill pitcher [pitching isn't an option].

"I let the other people do that. I'm happy playing my second base and at least I'm playing now. I'd love to [pitch] but it is what it is."

When told the Savages are running high up on the ladder, Jones replied with a laugh: "Are we?"

It's a gives a good indication of what the team is all about - fun.

"We're a group of like-minded ladies. We just go out and have fun. We laugh at ourselves - we all make mistakes. It's a bit of fun and we've all got kids so it's good," Jones said.

"We talk everyone up. Everyone's so encouraging."

That flows through to the juniors, too.

Along with Melody, Jones' son Hank, 7, also plays while the youngest Eddie, 3, is bursting at the seams to get out there but will have to wait until he's five.

"He got a little foam bat for Christmas, so they get the tee out in the backyard with the wiffle ball," Jones said.

Other than supporting her kids at softball, Jones got involved with the committee to help build the sport back up.

"We're trying to revive the sport," she said.

"When I grew up it was really huge, really popular."

The committee is also looking forward to a successful end to the season.

Last week's matches were rained out and rain is forecast again this Saturday.

There are four rounds to go before finals.

This Saturday's round 12 games will see Benchwarmers Green clash with the Hurricanes at 3pm. At 5pm, Benchwarmers Black take on United while the Savages will play the Diamonds.

TSA SENIORS LADDER

United 36

Hurricanes 27

Savages 23

Benchwarmers Green 22

Diamonds 16

Benchwarmers Black 15