Fall ball is nearing; Here's my plan for gearing up for the upcoming fast-pitch softball, fall baseball campaigns

July 30, 2011

Can you believe it? The 2011 fall high school fast-pitch softball and fall baseball seasons are just around the corner, beginning Aug. 9.
With a year of being sports editor of The Poteau Daily News, I've learned how, at least I think so, to make things a little easier on everyone — myself, the coaches and the teams.
Since there's the annual Panama Preseason Softball Tournament the weekend prior to the fast-pitch season getting started, I figured when this year's version rolled around I would use it to my advantage.
Because most — if not all — the LeFlore County softball teams participate in the Panama Preseason Softball Tournament, I figured I would use the event to get the coaches' questionnaires to them as well as get the team photographs for the 2011 Fall Diamond Tab.
Here's my plan:
— I plan on attending most of Thursday's games, where I will give you coaches your questionnaires to fill out.
— If your team is dressed in their game uniforms, I plan on photographing them. The photos will appear on the same page as your team's respective preseason preview story. It would be helpful if your teams are in game uniform — at least on opening day.
— If you coaches will fill out your questionnaires that night, and bring them back — along with your schedules — to Panama on Friday, I will be back to collect them. If for some reason your team doesn't wear game uniforms on Thursday, if your team will do so on Friday, I'll take your team photos at that time.
By doing this, it will enable me to get your questionnaires and your schedules so that the following week I'll have the information I need for putting together the 2011 Fall Diamond Tab.
The 2011 Fall Diamond Tab, which will have the preseason preview stories on the fast-pitch softball and fall baseball teams, is tentatively scheduled to be published Aug. 13 — which is the Saturday edition after the season-openers on Aug. 9.
For Baseball Teams
Since there is no preseason tournament for the fall baseball teams as the fast-pitch softball teams, I'm planning on handling you five teams differently.
I sent you five coaches your questionnaires by mail on Friday. They should be in your school's mailbox by Monday.
If you coaches can fill out your questionnaires and return them — along with your schedules — to me by mail (P.O. Box 1237, Poteau, OK 74953) or my fax (918-647-8198) by the time your regular seasons begin on Aug. 9, I would appreciate it.
As for photos, I was thinking that since your teams begin practice on Monday that either Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday (tentatively) of next week or Monday, Aug. 8 (the day before your season openers), I could come out to your practices, have the players get into their uniforms and take your team photos then. You can contact me at (918) 647-3188 (office) or (580) 341-8419 (cell) to set up an appointment.