BUSY TIMES

 Last weekend was a busy weekend and the one ahead will be as well. Last weekend I worked my 13^th year as director of the East-West Kentucky High School Softball All-Stars series.

It used to be just a game with t-shirts. It has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, now it is a three-day weekend with uniforms for the girls to a reception for the Kentucky Fastpitch Hall of Fame.

There were some big moments in this year’s event from Marilyn Mitchell of the KHSAA throwing out the first pitch to Mary Ratliff of Montgomery County signing autographs for the girls after an outstanding career at the University of Florida.

The big thing was how well the East Seniors played. They swept three games for the first time in 13 years. Never before has an East Senior team has swept the West. That team included Corbin’s Andria Shirar who played extremely well and earned a spot on the Kentucky All-Star squad who will play the Middle Tennessee All-Stars next Thursday at Middle Tennessee State University.

Shirar is headed to Midway College where she will play volleyball this fall. It’s really hard to say which is her best sport. She works hard to be among the best in both sports. I think she could have been a big-time softball player if given the opportunity. She was very impressive at UK last weekend.

However, after watching her in volleyball for the last four years she is a very tough cookie on the court as well. You don’t want to get in her way when she is hitting the ball.

No doubt she will have a great career at Midway College.

I have to give Corbin softball coach Chris Hart a lot of credit for the East victories. Hart, Jim Woodall of Southwestern and Larry Slone of Rowan County really put their heads together and came up with a historic game plan.

Chris eats and sleeps softball. He has really put Corbin fastpitch softball on the Kentucky map and in mentioned in the same breath as North Laurel and South Laurel. I know for a fact the Lady Redhounds program has been mentioned across the state as the up and coming.

Clifford to play at East/West

Whitley County’s Ted Clifford will get an opportunity to show his stuff this weekend when he plays in the same type event, only this time for the guys. No one knows how long they have played the East-West All-Star Baseball Games, but I do know it was started in the late 20’s. It is the oldest all-star event in Kentucky.

Clifford signed with the University of the Cumberlands and coach Brad Shelton. I think with Shelton’s guidance he will have an outstanding career. I have been impressed with Brad Shelton since I’ve been covering the Patriots.

Woodbine Rebel Shootout

It’s time for the Woodbine Rebel Shootout, which will be held in Corbin and Williamsburg this weekend. Jimmy Hendrickson and his family do an outstanding job with that tournament.

I know how hard it is to put something like this together and if you have not seen it, try to find your way to Miller Park this weekend for some outstanding men’s softball.

This tournament is huge for the city of Corbin. With the majority of the teams being from out of town, it fills up the hotels, the restaurants and the players and fans visit some of the sights.

I met a family last year that visited Cumberland Falls for the first time ever and they were very impressed. You see families in front of KFC taking pictures. There is a lot of history fans can take in in a very short period of time while they are here since the sites are very close.

Since Hendrickson moved the tournament back a week a couple of years ago now I get to go enjoy it even more.

With several of last year’s winners not in the event, it will be interesting to see which teams will be in the hunt for the 36^th championship.