For the first time in nearly 30 years, Warren Central will have someone other than Lucy Young coaching a softball team.

Young, who has guided WC’s slow-pitch program for 29 years and the fast-pitch team since its inception in 1999, has resigned as the school’s fast-pitch coach. She will be replaced by Chris Perritt, the boys’ assistant basketball coach, before the 2006 season starts in February.

&#8220At the end of last season, I had decided I wanted to cut back a little bit. I’ve done two sports for 30 years now,” said Young, who served as a soccer coach at WC before the fast-pitch softball program was started. &#8220When I have handed over the reins to somebody, you do that when it’s timely and you know you have somebody who can do something with the program.”

Perritt has the pedigree to do that.

The 36-year-old started coaching the sport on the recreational level as a teen-ager in Jackson and led Central Hinds to Mississippi Private Schools Association state championships in 1998 and 1999.

On the same day he was hired at WC in 2004, he turned down a job offer from Clinton to become that school’s fast-pitch coach. Perritt also coached basketball at Central Hinds.

&#8220I’ve been around (fast-pitch) all my life, and grew up in south Jackson. Baseball and fast-pitch softball were the community things to do there,” Perritt said. &#8220I did not come to take over the fast-pitch program, but when the opportunity came about I thought it was a great opportunity.”

The 54-year-old Young has been a teacher and coach for 33 years, giving her enough time to earn full retirement benefits if she chooses.

But she said it’s too early to choose retirement.

She will continue to coach the slow-pitch team, which plays in the fall, and teach safety education at Warren Central.

&#8220At that age, you would do something else, and at this point I don’t see anything else that I would enjoy doing right now,” Young said. &#8220I love to work. I still enjoy coming here every day. I saw this as an opportunity to downsize a little bit.”

WC won four division championships and made four playoff appearances under Young’s leadership. Following in her footsteps without a dropoff or adjustment period will be tough, Perritt said.

&#8220That’s our No. 1 goal, is to continue the excellence that Coach Young has established. Just continue that success and that reputation,” Perritt said. &#8220There’s no nervousness. I’m just very determined to make sure we uphold that status.”

Young said she had complete faith in Perritt’s ability to keep the Lady Vikes’ program rolling.

&#8220If I didn’t feel like that was a good decision, I would not have done this. I would keep them. It’s a great opportunity for him to do it,” Young said.