Our History
The West Virginia Dusters is an organization of girls fastpitch softball teams ranging from ages 8U to 18U. The organization was formed and managed by Steve Hall from 1996 to 2010. Steve coached all age groups and in particular, the 18U team. During his tenure, Steve never strayed from the simple philosophy of hard work and dedication can make your dreams come true, and a little laughter along the way made it even easier.
The teams are comprised of girls throughout the tri-state area of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky along with players from Virginia and North Carolina over the years who have a desire to succeed. The level of dedication his teams displayed led to the 18U WV Dusters to multiple State ASA championships along with countless other tournament titles and over 400 wins during his tenure as manager.
During that 16 year span, the Dusters were able to assist 109 players in their dream of playing softball at the next level. With hard work, dedication and education of what the next step requires, even more young ladies have, and will continue to, realize these goals.
Unfortunately, Steve passed away in April of 2010 leaving a void to fill in the softball community. Over the years, Steve shared his knowledge with several assistant coaches along with former players that have gone on the be successful as well. Collectively, all of those coaches and players have made an effort to contribute back to the organization and still continue to do so.
After Steve’s passing, longtime assistant coach Michael Cooper stepped away from his coaching role and into managing the WV Dusters organization. Mike stepped right in and continued moving the WV Dusters forward, staying in that role until 2017. Mike said it best that “it is important that we all rally together to make the most out of this very short youth career that our daughters have! I can speak from experience when I tell you that it is very short, but very awesome! I will cherish memories and good friends for the rest of my life”. At that same time, Steve's daughter Kelli Hall-Parks, Nicki Brock and Danielle Salmons stepped into the coaching roles for the 18u team.
After Cooper stepped away, Ricky Adkins assumed the leadership role of the WV Dusters and looked to continue what Steve and Mike had paved over the last 20 years. Like so many others, Ricky helped several players reach their dreams of playing at the next level with his first WV Dusters team. After his first daughter graduated and began her college career, Ricky moved back down to lead his youngest daughters team. Ricky led the Dusters until mid 2021 when stepped away to pursue other opportunities.
In the early summer 2021, Steve Dillow assumed the leadership duties of the WV Dusters organization after his daughter graduated in the spring of 2021. During Steve’s nine year tenure as head coach with the WV Dusters ‘03, his teams amassed over 300 wins, multiple championships, and helped several players realize their dreams of playing at the next level while receiving a quality education.
Over the last two and a half decades, more than 140 players have realized their dreams of playing in college but gone on to be successful women, wives, mothers and coaches.
In now what has been more than 25 years, the West Virginia Dusters have proved Steve’s philosophy of hard work, dedication, and a lot of fun can quite frankly be a formula for success not only softball but life as well.