Quick hits

Following the revelation that an all-classification volleyball state tournament would not be realized next year because of a Tacoma Dome conflict, a contingency plan that includes Spokane was put in place.

WIAA Assistant Executive Director Cindy Hettinger said Spokane is in line for the 1B and 2B tournaments, if two sites can be secured.

Eastern Washington University is available the weekend of Nov. 10-11, she said, but that the WIAA is still waiting on Spokane Falls Community College.

“We need both,” said Hettinger.

She said that Spokane has been approached about the 2007 4A-3A tournament. Public Facilities District director Kevin Twohig confirmed that he is holding space in the Spokane Arena for that possibility, and in the Arena and Convention Center for a possible all-classification tournament in 2008.

“From 1995-2002 the rent was structured so low we gave the WIAA the Arena as a public service,” he said. “We’re no longer in a position to give them the buildings, but we would love to have (the tournaments) here. That’s why we’re holding the dates. I’m content to sit and see what happens. Hopefully, it all works out.”

When the WIAA met Monday and Tuesday to set tournament sites, it was reported in the Seattle Times that recommendations were for the 4A-3A to be held in Kennewick if Spokane could secure 1B-2B sites, with the 1A and 2A tourneys in Yakima. If Spokane cannot fill sites, Kennewick would get the 1B-2B events with the 3A-4A going to Yakima the following weekend.

GSL adds slowpitch

The Greater Spokane League will compete in another sport this fall. The league’s principals recently voted to add girls slowpitch softball as a league sport, with a league-wide schedule and champion, according to Randy Ryan, GSL secretary.

The five Spokane School District high schools have competed in slowpitch since 2002, but under league bylaws, at least half the league schools must compete in a sport before it can be considered a league activity. The Central Valley School District added slowpitch over the winter and East Valley did the same this week. The Mead schools are still considering the addition.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association doesn’t offer state playoffs at the large school level in slowpitch, so the season will culminate in a league championship.

Around the area

Great Northern League: Riverside (2-0, 2-0) opened its baseball season with a pair of shutouts, both courtesy of the combined effort of Kyle Hjelm and Jason Paul. Softball league play begins Saturday with Lakeside (1-2) at Chewelah (5-0), Pullman (2-0) at Deer Park (0-2) and Medical Lake (6-1) at Colville.

Northeast A: Last year’s league softball champ Freeman finishes its tour of 2A opponents today when it travels to Riverside. The Scotties (2-3) did well despite losing a doubleheader to Chewelah last Saturday, 3-1 and 3-2, and they used an eight-run second inning to stomp Lakeside 10-2 Tuesday. … While most league play doesn’t start until April, the first league wins of the baseball season went to Colfax (2-2, 2-0), which swept a doubleheader against visiting Freeman 11-2, 11-0 Monday. Newport and Kettle Falls play a league doubleheader Saturday at Kettle Falls, starting at 11 a.m.

Bi-County League: With the first full day of league baseball play on Saturday, Lind-Ritzville looks to defend its league title. The Broncos (4-0, 2-0) are off to a good start, allowing three runs in four games and getting a no-hitter and a one-hitter from Cameron Stevenson.

Panorama League: Inchelium (4-0) took big steps toward establishing itself as the league softball favorite with a 2-0, 6-2 sweep of Curlew on Tuesday. Both teams are returning the majority of their players from state tournament qualifiers. Selkirk (5-1) and Springdale (3-1) are also off to good starts, with their only losses coming when they split a doubleheader. … Northport is off to a 4-0 start in Panorama baseball play, throwing a pair of no-hitters and a one-hitter. Coming off a 7-12 season, St. George’s looks like it will contend after sweeping co-defending champ Republic 10-8 and 4-2 to open the season. The Tigers bounced back, winning four straight since.

Whitman County: League baseball play begins Friday, with reigning league champion Asotin hosting LaCrosse-Washtucna. In other Friday games, Colton will host Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia and Garfield-Palouse will travel to Endicott to face St. John-Endicott. … Colton softball will begin its WCL title defense against TOR. All of Friday’s games and locations are the same for both sports.