NEWS
COMMITMENTS
Ryann Horseman, P,OF, currently So Cal Athletics, verballed
to Univ of Nevada-Reno.
GOOD NEWS FROM
UNSIGNED SENIORS
Readers will recall that, when we proposed a new list of
unsigned 2003 seniors, our priority was for those players who have not been
heavily recruited – overlooked would also apply.
In the last few days, we have heard from some of those players we named,
and they are very grateful for the calls they’ve been getting, and, in at
least two instances, for scholarship offers they’ve received.
However many functions SPY may perform, its primary purpose will always
be to promote the interests of the girls who play our sport.
REGION 4
ASA’S Karen Weisman explained today how the Colorado
Stars got the berth which Region 4 failed to award (even though the ASA web site
and the ASA Code made very clear there were two berths, not one, to be
competed). Under the Code, when a
region fails to compete a berth, that berth does to the sector, in this case
Sector 1. However, both Sector 1
tournaments had been completed, so the berth was awarded to the next highest
ranking team which competed in Sector 1 – which was the CO Stars.
AND, WHAT’S IN
YOUR EMAIL?
Earlier this year, I was asked if I knew how to obtain false identity papers – Social Security, birth certificate, etc – for an illegal alien who has worked here for a decade but conveniently never paid income tax, etc. I know how it’s done, but, given my past position, it is actually a felony to ask me.
Today, I got a sorrowful plea from a widow whose husband
was part of the ruling clique in Cote d‘Ivoire who allegedly moved $10 million
to
THE AUSTRALIANS V
THE STORM
Thanks to Alan Usher, we finally got some details on the games ten days ago pitting two JO teams against the Australian national team. Alan’s report:
The Storm
and the Strikkers each had a practice game against the Australian
National team on Saturday July 19th at bayside park in
Strikkers lost the first game 1-0. I did not watch the entire game so I
don't think I should provide any specific details of the game.
The Storm lost the second game 2-0. Monica Abbott pitched the first 5
innings giving up 1 unearned run while striking out 10 of the 17 hitters she
faced. The lone run against her was scored when Simmone Morrow singled to
right and stole second base with one out in the fifth inning. Monica then
struck out the next hitter for the second out and Fiona Hanes-Crawford
singled to right field where right fielder Jennifer Chamberlin threw a
strike to home plate to allow catcher Amy Baxter to tag out the runner
trying to score from second by 15 feet. The umpires unfortunately called
interference on the Storm third baseman allowing the run to count. Monica
gave way to pick up player Danika Dukes of the RR Gold in the sixth inning.
Danika walked four batters in a row after two outs in the inning to allow
the second run to cross the plate before getting the third out on a fly to
left fielder Lauren Schmitz. Danika retired the side in order in the seventh
inning.
The Storm was held to two hits by pitcher Kelly Gentle. Both hits came in
the 5th inning which ended with pinch runner Cat Belanger stranded at third
base following hits by Jennifer Olvera and Virginia Fritsch.
End
A PRAYER FOR
CHRISTIE BYRGE
Jackie Crockett sent us this email about Christie, daughter
of ASA coach Mel Byrge of
Dear
softball friends,
Christie Byrge was in a very bad car accident today and is in the hospital
with brain damage. Sue Robinson told me the next 24 hours will
determine how Christie will do, and she will let me know. I'm sorry
to bear such bad news, but I thought you'd rather know.
Christie is at UMC, and Sue was with Joanne when I spoke with her. I am
uncertain what we can do, but I know it will help to pray for her. Jackie
Readers: your prayers are earnestly sought – and appreciated.
THE MAIL BAG
Our readers are writing to ESPN as requested; we’ve seen some of the correspondence. Thanks, people.
We also received comments about Bob Hope, from readers whose fathers, grandfathers, etc., were serving in the military during various wars and got to see Bob perform on his various USO tours. One man video-taped the event; his family considers the tape one of the family treasures. Another wrote that her father-sailor considered seeing Hope the highlight of the war for him.
WHY I HATE TO FLY
SeaTac was bad, in a class with
Dallas-Ft Worth and American went on the list today.
Ever notice how the pretty young stewardesses you see on the concourses
dragging their carryons never seem to be on your flight?
American actually had a Gwyneth Paltrow type on the flight down from
Dulles. Good start for my 14-day
trip. But, when we boarded the plane
for the flight to
What made the wait more unbearable was the somewhat chubby
lady sitting next to me. She spent
the entire wait, calling friends and relatives, telling them about her trip back
home – and bawling her eyes out as she recalled all the good things she and
her mother used to do. Being a
Southern gentleman, I waited for a break in the calls, offered my sympathies,
and asked if her mother had just passed away.
No, she died 14 years ago. The
woman apparently got unnerved by going home.
To compound the problem, she pulled out a box, unearthed a bottle of eau
d’muskrat and enveloped two rows in a cloud of spray.
I am deepening my resolve to drive half-way across country for the Majors
tournament in
End