Passion and flair

Coeur d’Alene High softball standout Kylie Chandler brings a presence to the field. It’s more like a swagger.

She wants people to notice – whether she’s in center field or at bat.

“She knows she puts that out there,” Coeur d’Alene coach Larry Bieber said. “I’ve talked to her about it. It’s not arrogance. Sometimes it rubs people the wrong way, but she enjoys that persona.”

“To a certain extent, I can be too vocal and too opinionated,” Chandler said. “I’ve tried to learn to channel it so I don’t come off too strong. People who don’t know me too well can take it wrong.”

Chandler hasn’t had any problem backing up her confidence on the field, though. She’s been a three-year starter for the Vikings and started last summer for the elite Spokane Sliders 18A team and will play this summer when the Sliders play 18 Gold. She’s signed to play at Jacksonville State University, an NCAA Division I school in Alabama.

Bieber moved Chandler from left field, where she started the last two years, to center this year because it’s the position she’ll play in college. Chandler said she was Jacksonville’s No. 1 recruit and has been told she will start right away as a freshman.

Chandler hasn’t made an error in 156 innings.

“She’s been an absolute rock for us,” Bieber said. “She gets a great jump on balls because she reads it right off the bat.”

At the plate, Chandler has the Vikings’ fourth-best batting average (.316). She bats fifth in the lineup, behind power hitter Jenna DeLong, who also will play for a second year with the Sliders.

“I needed somebody behind Jenna so teams wouldn’t walk her all the time,” Bieber said. “Kylie provides great protection.”

DeLong smiled when asked if Chandler lacked for confidence.

“She can be intimidating to the opposing team,” DeLong said. “She’s a passionate person about the game. Sometimes her emotions get the best of her. But she brings a lot of heart and leadership to our outfield.”

The heart and leadership are things DeLong, also a senior, respects. She hopes Chandler will provide her usual motivational spark when the Vikings seek to defend their State 5A championship beginning today at Post Falls High School. CdA (24-2) opens against Meridian (17-10) at 5.

Chandler started experiencing back spasms last week, forcing her to miss practice Thursday and Friday. She believes she tore muscles in her back sliding into second in the Region I title game. Her father took her to the hospital late Friday. Bieber said the doctor wasn’t hopeful that Chandler could play at state.

Bieber has another idea, though.

“If there’s a will or way, she’ll be there,” Bieber said. “She’s never been injured before. There’s no way she’ll want to sit on the bench – and I don’t want her to. She’d drive me out of my mind.”

Bieber knows exactly where he wants her – at the plate with runners in scoring position.

“She’s money with runners in scoring position,” Bieber said.

Spokane Sliders coach George Lynn agrees.

“I want the bat in her hands when the game’s on the line,” Lynn said. “She brings a level of confidence that most players at that age do not bring. She’s an extremely clutch hitter.”

Chandler wants to be a coach. She started playing softball at age 9, and her father coached her most of the early years before she reached high school.

“My coaches and my parents – those are the people who changed my life,” Chandler said. “Softball has given me so much and I want to give something back.”

Some considered this year a possible rebuilding season at CdA after the Vikings lost six starters to graduation. But those who thought as much didn’t consult Chandler.

“Last year we were expected to win with all of our seniors,” Chandler said. “There were some doubts this year. But for us seniors, this is our year. I have no doubt in my mind that we can do it again.”

If Chandler is able to play, she guarantees she’ll be in the middle of CdA’s success. Just watch and listen.