Frances Herrod/Reporter, Thomas Jackson/Reporter
OKMULGEE, Okla – As the heat continued to bear down on visitors at the 2025 Muscogee Nation Festival, the Legends Softball Reunion offered a moment to reminisce and relax. The event held at the MCN Safe Space on Saturday, June 28 honored players both past and present.
The celebration included remarks by current and former MCN leadership including Principal Chief David Hill, Second Chief Del Beaver, and former MCN Representative and Living Legend inductee James Jennings. Former Principal Chief Tiger acted as emcee.
The event was also attended by families of players. This included former Chief Tiger’s family including his wife Frances Tiger (Mvskoke), and their daughter and granddaughter.
For Frances Tiger, softball is a family affair. She played for Bristow Kwickset, named for a local company that made door locks, around 1980. Her daughter Kendra Root-Samples played for the Okmulgee Phillies, and her granddaughter Kenslie Samples currently plays for the Native Athletics out of Claremore.
“As a first time catcher, at first I was shocked at how fast and hard the pitchers could throw the ball. My hand was red and really hurt, next game I was more prepared and put more stuffing in my glove. It was always a great time to play softball with my team,” Tiger said.
Squeegee played second base and was also a utility player for the Country Warriors team, he shared, “I’m from Seminole. We played a lot of tournaments in Mekusukey every weekend.”
“This reunion is pretty good, ‘cause you see old friends and stuff like that. It’s a good thing to bring people back.”
