Letters To The Editor

Newport deserves more

This year, the second season for Northeast A fastpitch softball, and once again no coverage from our local paper. Being Northeast A League champs two years consecutively, like Newport, deserves more than just stats reports in the paper (of which they were not always correct).

These young athletes and ladies have worked hard at becoming champions and representing their community professionally. These young Newport girls deserve a round of applause and some recognition from other athletes. They have done a commendable job in their playing performance and have a great deal of support locally from parents and friends. What they really would like is to be recognized as winners and champions, which they are. If we were a school located in Spokane, you bet your bottom dollar we would have coverage. I see and read it all the time. Even last year at the district playoffs, I think girls fastpitch softball was granted maybe a small paragraph.

We manage to make it possible for baseball, basketball and football coverage, but somehow cannot manage to represent our girls in softball coverage. How disappointing. Our league champs this year and last had the opportunity to have a selected few get chosen for the all-star teams in the division (nominated by other players and coaches).

It is a real shame we have chosen to ignore young women’s sports. I know what hard work they put into becoming champions and how proud they feel of “our team” and how disappointed they are when they open the sports page to see their names, or stats and find nothing at times. I know because I have a young athlete who has been part of the Northeast A League fastpitch softball division the past two years. Please, let’s do them the honor next year of a little press coverage. Stacey Hammel Newport

Give University credit

In responding to your article regarding the AAA baseball regional playoffs last weekend, there are some points that require clarification.

1) Both teams, Shadle Park and University, conducted themselves as sportsmen, gentlemen and intense competitors, both on and off the field. Both losses were highly competitive contests that the outcome could have easily gone either way. These games were wellcoached, well-played, and ones that Wenatchee must be breathing a sigh of relief to have escaped victorious with.

2) As U-Hi parents, we are aware that the trip itinerary was much like a business trip with a purpose and a focus on “getting the job done” and returning with a regional championship, not at all the basketball watching picnic outing you described. To indicate anything less than the dedication and hard work these fine young men displayed insults the integrity of both of these fine programs.

Instead of “trashing” these fine programs and the young men who represented them, why not give them credit for their accomplishments? Your own paper picked U-Hi to finish no better than fifth or sixth at the beginning of the season; not second at regionals and handily defeating the Big Nine regularseason champion Kennewick. As for any disparity in the level or quality of play between the two leagues, anyone witnessing the three games on Saturday would have to say that any one of the four teams could have won.

Congratulations to U-Hi for a great season. As coach Don Ressa said, “It was a great ride.” We’re all proud of you and your accomplishments. Doug and Gayle Sander Spokane

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