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The News-Leader released their 2009 All-Ozarks Softball team yesterday. Three teams ruled the selection. Nixa had three players (Carlie Rose, Danelle Billings, and Courtney DeRonde) picked for the first team and a fourth for the second team. Republic saw Hailey Johnson named first team and two other Lady Tigers named second team. And Ozark had three players given second team honors. 7 seniors, 3 juniors, and 1 sophomore (Ashton Pratt from McDonald County) make up the first team. 8 seniors, 2 juniors, and 1 sophomore on the second team. Congratulations to all those picked.
2009 News-Leader All-Ozarks Softball Team
First Team
- P – Hailey Johnson, SR, Republic
- P – Brooke Brenton, SR, Lebanon
- C – Carlie Rose, JR, Nixa
- IF – Danelle Billings, SR, Nixa
- IF – Courtney DeRonde, SR, Nixa
- IF – Kelsey Leingang, JR, Rogersville
- IF – Abbey Vernon, JR, Reeds Spring
- OF – Lacy Richner, SR, Pleasant Hope
- OF – Tristan Branch, SR, Purdy
- OF – Ashton Pratt, SO, McDonald County
- Utl – Briana Ford, SR, Branson
Second Team
- P – Jakki Prater, JR, Nixa
- P – Callie Weant, JR, Weaubleau
- C – Amanda Davis, SR, Republic
- IF – Payton Appleberry, SO, Republic
- IF – Lauren McCrae, SR, Carl Junction
- IF – Brooklyn Ballowe, SR, Ozark
- IF – Tammy Voorhis, SR, Ash Grove
- OF – Kasey Painter, SR, Morrisville
- OF – Sarah Christenson, SR, Glendale
- OF – Megan Jenisch, SR, Ozark
- Utl – Sydney McAmis, SR, Ozark
Katie Shockley got shafted.
Yes, but I think the problem is that the News-Leader doesn’t see Crocker as their area.
I know… they actually didn’t even play any teams down near Springfield either, so I guess they wouldn’t have gotten a chance to see her even if they wanted to. I guess I’m somewhat tired of the Springfield press only covering the teams around here if they happen to be making a deep playoff run, because it seems like that’s the only time they do. If at all.
(I should maybe clarify that to say that I have seen the TV stations around more often… I just have never seen a News-Leader person at any Frisco League game or any Waynesville game that did not involve a Springfield team. Which makes sense, I guess, what with newspaper bugetary restrictions and all but it’s still irritating when it comes to these sorts of “all-Ozarks” things and they don’t include the kids from my schools who are worthy of praise.)
And in all fairness to the coaches that vote, it’s natural that they would give emphasis to their areas. Most of them do teach and don’t have the time to research beyond what they have nearby.
-nodding my head in agreement-
And the one thing that can really turn the head of the Springfield media is the one thing the Frisco League doesn’t have. Football.
Who makes these selections and are they trying to pick the best area team or are they trying to hand out honors to a wide variety of players from both conferences and several classes?
I believe the voting is done by coaches in the News-Leaders coverage area. I don’t know if they select them to fill positions from that or if it’s voted on by position though. But area coaches do the actual voting.