I found an interesting video about a former softball pitcher at Dawson High School in Texas that advocates face masks for pitcher and other select infielders. She was hit with a line drive and suffer a skull fracture as well as other injuries. Anyone have any thoughts on this.

Also be sure to look at this video I shot to go along with my Sunday story “Soccer goal: education, awareness”

by joanna

I know a few of you have mentioned this in past comments regarding softball, but I thought I’d put this up as a full-fledged post to get your opinions on this change.

The National Federation of State High School Associations decided that  the distance will move from the current 40 to 43 feet.

I doubt this will hurt the elite pitchers, but what about those who don’t play as much summer ball?

by joanna

The Kansas Softball Coaches Association has released its all-state softball team.

(more…)

Anyone remotely interested in the World Cup has heard about Robert Green’s costly mistake for England in the team’s match against The United States on Saturday. The slow-rolling goal that looked like a sure save didn’t cost England a loss, but the team was disappointed with a draw. To make matters worse it was replayed time after time for American laughs and entertainment. But somewhere deep down inside you have to feel sorry for the guy, even if you can’t stand the English team.

This kind of thing happens at the high school level too, excluding the ESPN overkill. But there are times when outcomes are influenced by plays that athletes would like to forget. What are some of the more memorable ones in the Wichita sports timeline. And how have coaches, parents and players handled them?

by joanna

Arkansas City sophomore Kelsey Stewart, a pitcher and second baseman, was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas. The Florida commit is the first winner from Ark City. She also has been, along with Goddard’s Shelby Davis, was invited to try out for the 2010 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Team.

Congrats to Kelsey!

Below is the news release:

(more…)

by joanna

The All-Metro softball team was released today. This is a team that is selected by myself after receiving nominations from coaches in the three counties.

Please remember that you can disagree or agree with my selections, you can analyze the players, but please don’t dog them.

by joanna

I will be updating this throughout the day as I get them typed in, so make sure to check back. All-Metro and these all-league lists will run on Friday.

All-City League, AV-CTL Division I, II and III, All-MCAA and All-Central Plains League softball is below.

Please remember that if you’re critiquing the all-league teams, please don’t dog the athletes. Analysis is different than dogging. Gracias.

(more…)

Andale-Garden Plain won the Class 5A softball title with a run-rule victory over Bishop Carroll.

Andale-Garden Plain finished second in 5A last year, it’s first time in 5A. The team won Class 4A in 2008.

Sydney Eck provides a dominating pitching performance while Andale-Garden Plain produced an offensive onslaught that included 15 hits.

by joanna

More scores below (2:45 p.m.)

Some scores below

This is it. The final day of the 2009-10 high school championship season. We’ve got plenty of area kids performing today in baseball, softball, track and soccer. So let’s hear who you are picking. Let’s hear those updates.

This discussion is open for you.

Good luck to all the teams, including Kapaun, which is playing for the 5A soccer title. Good luck to all those in the semifinals of baseball and softball, and good luck to all the area track athletes trying to get a state title.

(more…)

by joanna

Let’s talk state softball. The preview for state will run in Thursday’s paper, but I’d like to hear what your predictions are.

In Class 6A, I like Maize and Northwest’s chances against the big, bad northeast Kansas schools. These are two traditionally strong programs, and I think they’ve got the balance offensively, they’ve got the pitching, and they’ve got the depth to move on.

(more…)