[07/18/01] The Vicksburg Flag Football Association will for now play under the umbrella of the Vicksburg Parks and Recreation Department, a move to add stability to the 3-year-old league.

Parks and rec director Craig Upton said talks between the city and the league have been ongoing, but the city wanted a few years for the league to prove itself.

The same procedure was used with the Vicksburg Baseball Association and the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association when they were in their infancy.

“We told them if they wanted to take it serious and get their association started, we would see where it went,” said Upton, who took over for newly elected South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman. “If it was successful, we would try to take it over and it has become successful.

“We’re willing to work with them now.”

Upton said the city will pay for officials and scorekeepers, arrange use of the old Temple Stadium, next to Vicksburg Junior High, and also enforce the rules.

In past years, a player who fought during a game was fined a small amount, Upton said. Now, player who fight will be banned from playing the rest of the season.

For the most part, the league will continue without many changes, Upton said.

In the three years since its beginning, the league has expanded from six to eight teams, playing all their games on Sunday afternoon.

Participation is at an all-time high right now, Upton said, and the league is filled with former college and high school athletes.

Last season, the Isle of Capri scored a late touchdown to complete a perfect season with an 18-12 win over Ameristar.

The flag football “Super Bowl” will be at Temple Stadium in November.

“We’ve been in the process of developing and growing more sports,” Upton said. “I’m glad this is getting started.”