A select group of young ladies from the Northern Panhandle is getting to put on their high school softball uniforms one last time.
It’s an opportunity many felt was lost months ago thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but with restrictions eased, the decision to hold the state’s North-South All-Star Softball Game was made.
The format is different, but that matters not to the ladies playing in the game, nor to the coaches selected to manage the teams. After all, they’ve been waiting for softball too.
“This is the first year in almost a quarter-century that I haven’t had any kind of baseball or softball in my life,” admitted Buckhannon-Upshur coach Levi Bender, who is coaching the Region I team. “I was pretty down about it and was itching to get back to it.”
The games will be held on Thursday, July 9 in Buffalo, W.Va. starting at 10 a.m. Follow Mike Hughes on Twitter at @El_ChubbyCabra for game-day updates and LedeNews later for a recap, player photos, and reactions.
Some of Bender’s players have played in the game previously but this is the coach’s first chance to be involved. His lone senior for 2020, Olivia Caynor, will be joining him as the W.Va. Wesleyan signee was selected. Bender is still rounding out his team, but a number of OVAC products have already agreed to play. More have been called as the roster is being finalized.
The Local Talent
John Marshall has had a dominant presence in Upper Ohio Valley and West Virginia softball for more than a decade. No surprise then that a few of head coach Ed West’s players are playing. Twin sisters Anna and Abby Blake were picked, along with Mackenzie Hall.
“I got an email about a week ago from Coach (Bender) and he asked if we had any seniors,” West said. “I told him yes and sent out the info.”
Like Bender, all of West’s seniors are able to make the trip. In the past, he’s had multiple talented players. All-star games have limited spots, though, and some deserving Monarchs were left behind. Not a problem this time.
“We’ve had five or six good players and in the OVAC game, you could only nominate four and that’s tough to do,” West said. “But we had three and we could send three, so it worked out well.”
Anna Blake is a returning first-team all-W.Va. centerfielder while her sister Abby is a shortstop. Hall splits time between first and the outfield. They will be joined by Brooke pitcher Rachel Kazmirski.
Second-team All-W.Va. the last two seasons, Kazmirski signed to play with Marietta College next spring.
Bender noted he’s contacted other OVAC-area coaches and is waiting to hear back on confirmations. He didn’t want to announce names until their participation is certain.
Player Reactions
“When I found out high school softball was canceled, I sat on my porch and I cried,” Kazmirski recalled. “I never thought I’d put on my Brooke jersey again.
“This opportunity is huge for me and is truly an honor to represent Brooke one last time.”
When Rachel’s dad told her that Bender wanted her on the team, she jumped at the opportunity. Noting their daughter’s excitement, the Benders left the decision to play entirely up to Rachel.
“My parents let me make the decision,” Kazmirski said. “They said whatever I chose, they would support wholeheartedly.”
The Blake sisters were similarly raring to go. Softball has and is a major part of their lives and ot being able to see through what should have been a promising season and receive closure has been tough.
“We were a little shock but mostly pumped,” the Blakes responded via email. “Softball has been our lives for 14 years. We never had a day off and were always working to get better.
“To be able to play one last time and represent John Marshall softball is awesome.”
Neither Blake sister is playing travel ball this summer, opting to prepare for college. Collegiate athletics is still on the table, but that decision isn’t made either. There’s a real possibility these two games could be their last competitively.
“It is going to be very exciting getting that closure of playing against some of the best,” the Blakes said. “We are so thankful we get this opportunity.”
Updated Format
In recent years, the North-South format pitted players from the top half of the state vs. those from the bottom in a best-of-three series.
This year is slightly different. Organizers decided to appoint four head coaches, one each from the state’s four regions. Those coaches selected their players and will enter a bracketed tournament.
Bender noted he’s not sure which region his team is playing first, but that the first game gets underway at 10 a.m. The game won’t be played on Buffalo’s turf field, as the local school board did not approve. But there are plenty of quality natural surface fields surrounding the area which will be utilized.
The two winning teams will play one another, as will the losing teams. It’s a format West said her prefers and one he hopes sticks in the future.
“I’ve coached it a few times and turned them down a few times,” West admitted. “I didn’t like the setup and I believe this is better. Before you’d play three games against the same team and by the third game, you were ready to get out of there.
“I like this format better,” he said. “And if they keep it and ask me to coach again, I think I’d accept.”
It’s certainly an honor for the 72 girls who were asked to fill team rosters of 18 each because now they get one last chance to suit up in the colors and represent their schools, their towns, and themselves.
