All-league softball
May 29, 2008 @ 9:18 a.m. by Joannaby joanna
A couple posters beat me to this discussion on all-league softball. I was absolutely flabbergasted when I saw that Augusta catcher Kayla Sears was not first team all-league in AV-CTL Division III. (this is by no means a rip on the Rose Hill catcher, this is a question/criticism of the coaches who picked the team)
And this is not about Sears being an All-Metro selection and not all-league. It’s about how Sears is not the all-league catcher but is the league’s MVP. I called Augusta coach Ray Aguirre about it yesterday to find out what the heck happened.
Before I get into that, I’m not bothered by certain teams cleaning up in the all-league category. The fact that Augusta had 7 first teamers, that Ark City had eight, I’m not bothered by. Some teams are successful based on a strong team that doesn’t have superstars. Others it’s obvious that their success is because of superstars. It happens. Now, no representation by Valley Center, I’d be concerned about. Were there other players in Division III more deserving than the Augusta kids? I don’t know, feel free to discuss.
I’m actually surprised that so many from one team get represented because what I see happen so often is that other teams in the leagues seem to think like this, “Well, I already voted for two kids from that team, we need to spread this around.” There’s nothing more frustrating for a coach to see than a kid who is a mediocre player be chosen over a stud player simply because there’s too many players from that team already named. At the same time, is it fair that only the most dominant team gets all the selections? This is so subjective.
But back to Sears. I think her being named MVP is a way the coaches tried to rectify the voting and her being left off first team, so in that regard, I give them credit for fixing it, kind of. You see it happen a lot where a kid ends up DH or utility because there was tough competition at the real position so the coaches found a place for them.
I kind of did a similar thing with Heights’ Charlotte White and Goddard’s Jenny Heerey. Both are known most for their pitching, but both play other positions and play them well. So because pitcher is always a competitive position for all-Metro, you try to get those kids on somewhere else. It’s the same in football. On our all-class teams, there’s only one QB, but there’s multiple quarterbacks who deserve to be on the team. So when they play another position — usually defensive back — you get them on in that way.
I still remember when Kamerion Wimbley was a junior at Northwest in 2000. He was such a jack of all trades that he didn’t have outrageous numbers anywhere that he was only All-City at punter — just to find a spot for him. The next year he was at defensive back and punter.
All-leagues, they are crazy.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Reminds me of last year when Heery was 2nd team all league but all-metro. Coaches hold grudges and are so worried about their own kids they don’t vote for who really deserves it. They will vote for a lesser kid just to make sure their kid makes 1st team. All league is a shady business but at least in the AVCTL not everyone who gets a uniform makes honorable mention like the city. It takes almost two pages to list all the football players who make honorable mention.
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May 29th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Good point on the All-City, although at least the City League has three more teams than each of the AV-CTL divisions do. Everyone is just so eager to reward everyone.
Anyone who is in the workplace have that happen to them?
I know this is about the kids, but it’s a little weird, nonetheless.
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May 29th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Coaches need to realize how important these types of awards are to the kids. They need to put their favorites aside and choose on results.
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May 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Joanna,
Can you explain the process/rules of picking these teams?
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May 29th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Joanna. Just my humble opinion, but the four infielders from Augusta were the best in the league, and their center fielder is by far the best at that position although the sophomore from Rose Hill is a close second. Watch for her next year.
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May 30th, 2008 at 12:26 am
loganismyhero says:
If I remember right, the first team pitcher for D-1 last year is pitching for Baylor this year. The coaches were correct last year in that pick. Just as they were correct in naming Heery first team this year. Sometimes, especially in that league, players are so good that others have to wait their turn.
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May 30th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I believe he was wondering how Heerey was All-Metro last year but second team all-league.
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May 30th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Different strokes for different folks
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May 30th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Joanna I would like to make a point about the Augusta infield that needs to be made. I do agree with 3 of the 4. I dont agree with the 3B choice. I watched 4 games, two being at Regionals and I saw nothing extraordinary out their 3b in the big games, maybe I missed it and if I did I am sure someone will correct me. Mulvanes Jesica Goldring should have been 1st team in my “opinion” and her coaches. I won’t bash Cody Downs for her play because I did not see the other 17 games. I will just state the case that I have personal knowledge of. In the two games in which Mulvane swept Augusta, Cody was not a factor, Jesica was solid at 3rd playing the hot corner against Augustas big bats and played a role in securing the sweep of a very tough team. In Goldrings’ Regional game against Rose Hill, which was epic. Mulvane had 4 hits off a superb performance by K. Bonar and 2 of those hits were from Jesica, the last being a lead-off single in the 7th that eventually moved to 3rd but failed to score, which was sad. Jesica also had 5 assists and 2 put outs, the last being a inning ending unassisted double play(which you may have seen on Channel 12 that night!) with 1 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd in the bottom of the 6th. I may be called biased being her father, but I am also her summer coach and from what I saw and heard from others, Jesica had the better year and stepped up in games that mattered. That being said its a crap shoot and I have no hard feelings about it, she is just honored for the recognition and she has two more seasons to be 1st team and All Metro. Thanks for the forum Joanna.
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May 30th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Oh someone said I should put Jesica’s stats so here they are: .350 batting average in the 5 slot. 3 strikouts in 60 at bats. 35 assists and 13 putouts at 3rd.
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May 30th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Also there are no hard feelings, congrats to Cody! Its still an honor and like I said it was my opinion and I was giving my view of the outcome.
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May 30th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Kansascoach.. here you go again… We as parents ALL love our kids and are very proud of them. But when it comes to honors or discussions you always have to pump your kid while bringing other specific kids into your discussions. We thought your hovpen discussions would teach you something.. I guess not… I too could look at the honors and say.. HEY why not this one or that??? I wont even mention who my SON is.. He did make first team honors this year but that is NOT the point. Even as a Baseball Dad I read alot of all the forums and keep up on different sports and seeing the ‘kansascoach’ name just makes me cringe as I say.. “Here we go again”.. We at work all get a huge laugh and even feel a bit of saddness as we see that a father would try to bring his kid up while putting down another.. or saying.. HEY my kids better the yours!!!! Grow up!!!!!
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Here we go again. Kansascoach1. WE all thought you might learn your lesson before, but there you are again pumping up your daughter at the expense of others. We all as sport parents love to see our kids names. We all question the selection process when they don’t come out just as we want or feel they should. I am a baseball Dad and also feel that there were some major omissions during the selections, but WHY must you get specific and call one (proud girl) out just to say MY DAUGHTER IS BETTER!!!!! Come on, don’t you see what this does to not only this other girl but the embarrassment of those that know you well. We all at work have laughed and at the same time felt sorry for your antics on other blogs but I guess some just don’t learn. BTW, I don’t see reading where anyone ask for your daughters stats. I am sure she is a great player but let her speak for herself on the field rather then you always having to put others down to try to bring attention.. Of course this is just MY opinion as well but………….. just thinking!!!
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:47 am
For someone who has no hard feelings it certainly appears that you do. I only saw your daughter play three games and based on those three I certainly wouldn’t judge if she was a good third baseman or not. I don’t have Cody’s stats other than her batting average which was .448 which was considerably higher than Jesica’s. Please don’t get on here and complain about your daughter not getting the recognition you believe she deserves. Cody did a good job this year, just as I am sure your daughter did, but to get on here to complain so that everyone knows that you think it was wrong is pretty petty.
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May 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Cody Downs lead her Augusta team in hitting throughout the entire season with a .443 batting average. That is tough to do with all the great hitters on the Augusta team. She had 27 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. She had 38 assists and 18 putouts at 3rd. At regionals she had 4 hits in 9 at bats hitting .444 in the “big” games against great pitchers. She did not have her best game at Mulvane, but she is well deserving of her honor in my “opinion” and she has the stats to back it up.
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May 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am
#1
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May 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am
You sound very negative fastpitch12. My post said nothing negative about Cody. It was my opinion and it was all positive. Why would you tear that down. Lots of people have seen Jesi play and would disagree with you, so lets keep it positive. Joanna asks for opinions and I gave mine and gave congrats to Cody, because if Jesi would have been first team somebody else would have had their opinion on that and thats all. I did not bash and will not so try not to be so negative and nothing I said was petty, your comment would be construed as petty. Everyone has the right to answer questions ask and have their own opinions and please re read mine and you will see it was just that.
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May 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I woulda voted for Goldring too. But both girls deserve a lot of props.
As for Sears, maybe the fact she played some shortstop this season worked against her? Summervill (the RH catcher), is about as solid a catcher as you’ll find. Smart, solid player. Did she deserve first team over Sears… uh, no. But she does deserve to be recognized.
Nice pick on Sears, Joanna. She’s a helluva ball player.
As for the RH CF, that’s Jordan Rehm. She’s a big talent. Zero errors in CF this year and her bat is improving too. Only other issue I had was Kaylie McDiffet not gaining even honorable mention. She led RH in hitting and was a catalyst for that offense (Avg around or over .400!)….
regardless, congrats to all the girls on a great season. Next year will be fun with AC joining Mulvane and Augusta in Div-III and RH joining Andale and Clearwater in Div-IV.
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May 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I believe their were three pitchers on first team last year so if all three are pitching for Baylor then I understand, but if not Heery should have been on there. That is the one nice thing about all-metro, that politics does not come into play as much as all-league. It was strictly politics by some coaches that Heery didn’t make first team as a junior. She belonged on all-metro both years and should have been a first teamer both years. But I think she is content when everything her team accomplished this year.
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May 30th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I just wanted to share some of Cody Downs’ stats, showing why in my “opinion” she was very deserving of 1st team all-league 3rd base. Cody’s batting average was .443, leading a great hitting Augusta team throughout the entire season. She had 27 hits, 23 RBI’s, 21 runs, 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 2 home runs. Cody had 38 assists and 18 putouts. She may not have had her best game against Mulvane, but one double header does not a season make. In post season play, which was 3 games for Augusta, Cody tied for the most hits on the Augusta team with Kayla Sears. She hit .444 at regionals, and that was in the “big” games facing great pitching.
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May 31st, 2008 at 8:40 am
Tom, I agree with you on McDiffett. She is a solid player that swings a solid bat. Next year will be great as these sophs become juniors and the leagues shift. Sears is deserving although she did split time at two positions that should have been an asset to be named 1st at one of those position but they made room for Taylor R. so that must have been the issue there. Also to the Augusta defenders, I will reiterate for you, I never said that Cody was not deserving, I was making the case for why Goldring was and also stated that we were happy with the recognition. I stated Cody may have had big games when I wasn’t around and stated what I did see is all. Please read it through and don’t take offense. Cody got what she got and Jesi got what she got, plain and simple. We can discuss this again next year, which is great for all! It’s softball!
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May 31st, 2008 at 8:47 am
Sorry didn’t see the bashing that I took from ksbbq. Can you read? There was no bashing and others see it that way too. You have such hair trigger defense mechanism that its so funny. If you are not your daughters biggest promoter then you are failing your child. I am also her coach which would make it more of a failure. Funny thing is, I don’t make up anything, I dont inflate numbers like most. She backs up what I say and always has. If I had said the 1st Team All Leaguer and not her name, you would still have known who I was speaking of, so grow up. I am a proud parent and coach and will always fight for recognition for my child as you should. So stop your negativity it makes you look small and present your arguments in a civil manner. There were no problems on Hovpen just 1 misunderstanding and Bob and I have discussions all the time. So stop your slandering tactics and get over it.
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May 31st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Sears played 22 games at catcher and 1 game at short stop. We don’t inflate numbers either. Your girl struck out twice against Augusta and she only had 1 other strike out all season?……amazing!
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May 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
That is correct. She struck out 1 time vs Kennedy, 1 time vs Visor and 1 time vs Schmelzer and you can take that to the bank and verify with Coach Mason. Funny how you come out of the woodwork and bash someone at the same time complaining about others bashing your kids? Hypocritical?
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May 31st, 2008 at 4:19 pm
It does look like the Augusta fans are attacking this girl and it also seems that Ks was just making his case for his daughter. He actually complimented and congratulated the Augusta girl. Congrats on the 3 K’s. Too bad they don’t keep a contact percentage stat. Was that in 20 games? I hope everyone can be polite to each other and let each person have their opinions, thats the only way forums like this can be useful. Good luck to both girls this summer and next year!
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May 31st, 2008 at 4:34 pm
21 games.
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May 31st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I know kansascoach1 and he is very proud of his daughter much like any parent should be. My daughter played for him in the past and he is unique among a lot of the area coaches and that gets him a lot of dislike from a lot of the ultra competitive teams. He never has a tryout and has never turned a kid away. He takes what he has and makes them competitive and he has done that since moving to Wichita in 2001. He doesn’t have the winning is the most important attitude. You don’t see his girls throwing helmets or parents screaming like someone just kicked their dog at the umpires. He wants his girls to have fun and grow their skills and if they have the desire, he will help them with college recruiting. So that draws a lot of attention because he does this and still competes and his kids have pretty attitudes, which is a reflection of his coaching. He does this year in and year out. He has turnover like every other coach does, because you cant make everyone happy all the time. We left because our daughter had a chance to play with a team closer to home. As for Jesi, she is one of the most unassuming kids I have ever known. She shows up and does her stuff and leaves the attitude to the other girls. I believe that she only struck out 3 times, because Ive watched her wholes summers and not seen her struck out that many times, so kudos to her, it shouldnt be questioned just commended. So, I just wanted to give props to coach and dad who has done it pretty much straight forward without selfish motives and to let you know why some people from other teams might not like what he does. Just a reminder it is softball, not Congressional lawmaking they are doing and people shouldn’t get their panties in an uproar like they do on these boards. So good luck to Jesi this summer and next year and congrats on the 2nd team honor. I know its hard to get the recognition when your an outsider. Good luck to everyone else including those that have such sour outlooks.
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May 31st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
his kids have pretty(good) attitudes, SORRY FOR THE TYPO!
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May 31st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Well said. I dont this guy but I have seen Mulvane play us this season and the 3b if thats who played against was very solid at the corner and she hit the ball very well, i think i only saw her get out once on a line drive. I was working the day we played Augusta so I dont know what kind of player their third baseman was, Im sure good because Augusta is good and they killed us. I think the Mulvane dad was just stating his case for his daughter. He didnt state that the Augusta girl didnt deserve recognition. doesnt look like he inflated any stats or he would have said she was batting .500! Sounds like hes very proud and is doing his job promoting his daughter and letting her back it up on the field. I do the same for my daughter but shes only a 9th grader and hasnt had her chance yet. I agree when you jump all over someone for being proud of his kid that make s you look small or jealous to the rest who read it.
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May 31st, 2008 at 5:04 pm
bbg and hs do your daughters play for the Freedom? Lucky guess? Lol j/k I wont go that route with ya alls. I like some of those girls and I heard they got coach Aguire to coach them and he wont put up with junk that Ive seen in the past. good luck to them.
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May 31st, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hey coach Bob. If this isn’t attacking the Augusta girl what is.?
kansascoach1 says:
May 30th, 2008 at 1:15 am
Joanna I would like to make a point about the Augusta infield that needs to be made. I do agree with 3 of the 4. I dont agree with the 3B choice.
One girl hits 446, the other 380. Not hard to make a decision there. I doubt if either is on the Coaches all-state team.
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May 31st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
O K-Think you even repeated it for him again. The key sentence would have been “I dont agree with the 3B choice” That means he states his opinion he didnt say anything bad about the other choice. Is that so hard to see. Its so funny that you think this guy brags about his daughter but like most things on these forums, the more you talk about it the more attention you bring to those you wish not too. So your helping his cause, which I have no problem with. He didnt bash in the way you have.
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May 31st, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Yeah that is funny Joecool, he even states the line that just states that guys opinion. Its not negative at all. way to make a point! Sometimes people can be funny. Well this has done Cody Downs and Jesica Goldring tons of good! They get recognition and every person on here keeps talking them up. Good for them. They are names I will be watching for next year!
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May 31st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Its always the same people bashing on these boards. Unless its one there own they attack everyone on here. KS didnt bash and thats easy to see even for a simpleton. Sounds like a good player, good parent and a good coach. Have fun this summer and see you next year!
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May 31st, 2008 at 10:27 pm
kansasscoach1, You wrote, “Funny how you come out of the woodwork and bash someone at the same time complaining about others bashing your kids? Hypocritical?”
I don’t see how you think I am bashing. It is truely amazing for your daughter to only strike out 3 times in 21 games. Congrats to her. I simply gave Cody’s stats since you gave your daughter’s, and stated why I thought she deserved her 1st team honor. Congrats to all the kids on their post-season honors.
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May 31st, 2008 at 10:37 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
you guys are putting me to sleep with this stuff.
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June 1st, 2008 at 7:26 am
Yay everyones friends again. Good luck this summer and hopefully see both of them on the Metro team next year!
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July 25th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Ok i am the player in question, and i really did strike out only 3 times. I didn’t strike out at all until we played augusta, which was a couple games in. I am not going to comment on the idea of first team or second, it doesnt matter to me i play for the experience. But thanks to SBParent4life for the recognition. The parents who come on here and argue are immature (I know my dad).
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July 25th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Plus, I was hitting over 500 in 42 appearances with six doubles to my credit. That was before augusta!!!!!!
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