6/14/09 Letters to sports

Rams an example for Little Leaguers

To the sports editor — I would like to congratulate the West Valley Rams for their third-place Trophy at the State 3A Tournament at Safeco Field.

Coach Klayton Wyckoff, his coaching staff and, of course, the players show all of us in West Valley Little League all the qualities of a true champion.

They have taught our Little Leaguers how to win with class and lose with grace, show how hard work can lead to big things and gave our kids a real eye opening experience in playing in a big league park that they too can be in their shoes one day.

Some of the players are also umpires in our League and have been great role models for our kids.  The kids have been able to interact and learn from these young men, and now they have a solid connection with these players that have played at the highest level in the State.

We appreciate all that Klayton and assistant Kevin VanDeBrake have done for our young League and look forward to the day when this batch of Little Leaguers are playing for them at Safeco.

BILL ROSS

President

West Valley Little League

Congrats to Rangers from a past champion

To the sports editor — As a senior, I started on the Naches Valley baseball team that won the school’s first state championship in 1991.

I have fond memories of the title game, in which we were down by one run in the late innings and then came back to tie and win the game by one. We were called the “Cardiac Kids” because we would get behind in many games, but routinely come back in a thrilling manner to win.

I’m happy to see the 2009 Ranger baseball team finally win the big game after coming so close in previous years. It is a real tribute to the excellent coaches and players at Naches Valley of which Mr. Cruzen, my coach in 1991, is still a part of.

Great job, guys. This will be one of your greatest memories in life.

STEVE YOUNG

Prosser

Letter to Sports

Tourney thanks ||

To the sports editor — On the weekend of April 18 and 19, the YVCC fastpitch team hosted 22 community college fastpitch teams in the NWAACC Fastpitch Crossover Tournament at Carlon Park in Selah.

I want to thank Selah mayor Bob Jones, Selah Parks director Jeff Hagler, Carlon Field supervisor Jeff Glaspie and business owner Bill Harris for all of their support which allowed for a successful tournament. With the support of these individuals and the maintenance workers of the Selah Parks Department the tournament stayed on schedule all weekend.  The Carlon Park complex is simply the best venue I have seen for fastpitch.

Thanks to Carol Finney and Trudy Bray who volunteered as tournament managers. They coordinated the fields, team packets, collecting scores and organized the operation of the scoreboards. Without their help, the tournament would not have gone as smoothly as it did.

Thanks to Rich Austin and Mike Carey of the Yakima Sports Commission, Dale Hefflinger of the Best Western Ahtanum Inn and the Clarion Inn for their support of the tournament as well.

This year’s tournament recognized and honored all those who have experienced breast cancer in their lives. Margarett Filkens of Wellness House of Yakima was on hand with providing information on breast cancer. Many teams wore pink socks, t-shirts and hair ribbons in recognition of breast cancer.

I have received lots of positive feedback on the tournament.  Most of the coaches want the tournament to return to Selah again for a third consecutive year. The success of the tournament couldn’t have happened without the efforts of those mentioned above.

CHUCK BODEEN
Yakima Valley Community College fastpitch coach

3/29/09 Letters to sports

Fans need to give coaches a chance

To the sports editor — A note to the parents of West Valley school district athletes:

Prosser’s Tom Moore is obviously one of the best high school football coaches in state history. However, I noticed a few interesting things about his career. Of his astonishingly low number of career losses, 12 of 38 came in the first three years of his career. Even hall-of-fame coaches need a few years to get their programs on track.

I wonder if Prosser parents were after his job after that first five-loss season? I also noticed that in 2002, Moore’s Mustangs lost three games and did not make the state playoffs.

I wonder if Coach Moore forgot how to coach that year, or if maybe that substandard season was due to injuries, a lack of athletes, or improved competition? Coaches like Tom Moore are very, very rare indeed. And one of the key ingredients to their success is the support of parents and the community.

ROB O’BRIEN
Yakima

Hunt was a great experience

To the sports editor — I would like to go on record about a hunting experience I had this past fall on the Black Rock Ranch.

I was one of four people to draw a permit to hunt on private land in the state of Washington. I thought, what a wonderful opportunity the state has awarded me.

The area was Black Rock Ranch, managed by Charlie Blevins. I contacted him as directed by the state and gave Charlie my phone numbers so that he could contact me as to when I could come out for the hunt. It was a pleasant conversation. I was under the impression that I would have only one day to or chance to get my elk. Charlie quickly dispelled that misconception. As it turned out, I was able to hunt until I was able to harvest my elk, which amounted to four or five days of great hunting. Charlie guided me every one of those days. He kept tabs on me to make sure I was OK and safe at the end of each day.

I felt as if I had paid a guide service $5,000 to take me on this hunt. It was a hunt I will always remember and hope I might get another one like it someday.

The owner, Mr. Badissy and Charlie should be praised for giving us lucky few this opportunity.

ROY T. ROGERS
Kennewick

3/22/09 Letters to sports

Saint Mary’s not a Jesuit school

To the sports editor — I noted with interest The Associated Press story about Saint Mary’s College in Monday’s sports section.

Since becoming a member of the Board of Trustees for the college, my interest in the basketball team has increased significantly.

While visiting La Salle High School and its community of Brothers and Lasallian Volunteers in Yakima, your brief article was a welcome sight. However, I must say that we did a double-take when we read in your article that Saint Mary’s is a “small Jesuit school near San Francisco.”

While we are located near San Francisco, but we are not a Jesuit institution. The Jesuits run fine institutions of higher education (and a couple of pretty good basketball teams) but Saint Mary’s College is operated by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, also known as the Christian Brothers or the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Yakima’s La Salle High School, is one of 58 high schools, 14 middle schools, eight colleges/universities, and numerous other educational institutions in the United States, most of which are focused on the poor and working class.

None, so far as I know, are associated with an educational tradition other than our own Lasallian tradition (based on St. John Baptist de La Salle, Patron of Teachers in the Catholic Church, and the Brothers order that he founded). Thank you for your (almost) perfect reporting of the game between Washington State and Saint Mary’s. As in all sports, some errors are expected and allowed for… and we do practice forgiveness… as long as the errors are not repeated too often.

Br. George Van Grieken FSC, PhD

Napa, Calif

Thanks to Top-Hi for sportsmanship

To the sports editor — On behalf of the administration and coaching staff at Grandview High School, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Toppenish High School for their classy display of sportsmanship during a girls basketball game earlier this season.

On Jan. 23, Kinzi Poteet scored the 1,000th point of her career in Toppenish’s gym.

In a perfect world, we could plan these things so we could have celebrated this at a home game in front of our crowd.

However, Toppenish Athletic Director Brett Stauffer, coach Akil White, announcer Glen Newland and timer Dan Perez showed true sportsmanship by taking the time to stop the game and acknowledge Kinzi’s accomplishment.

Our appreciation also extends to the officiating crew and fans from both teams for recognizing Kinzi and what had just been achieved.

It is with much gratitude that we say “thank you” for making that an evening that we as a coaching staff as well as Kinzi and her parents will never forget.

Grandview High School girls basketball coaching staff

Deadline change no help to hunters

To the sports editor — To all hunters who would have liked to purchase a permit for the multi-season deer or elk hunt, you are too late.

What, you say? The deadline is at the end of March.

No, not this year as it was last year and all the years before. If you missed this change in the permit deadline (Feb. 28), don’t feel bad, so did I.

What you and I should have done was read the 2008 game pamphlet for 2009 deadlines. There it is on Page 53 by itself. It is in the middle of ads for license plates and 2008 raffle hunts. Shame on me for not turning every page of the pamphlet and checking carefully. Special hunting season and permit applications are on Page 74, but there is nothing on the page about a change in permit deadline. It seems to me if there was a change in permit deadlines they could have let the public know by way of the local newspaper. I’m sure the Outdoors section of the Yakima Herald-Republic would have printed the change.

Maybe our department of fish and wildlife didn’t want sportsmen to know of this deadline change. Maybe their friends and family weren’t getting their multiseason permits.

I would like to have an answer as to why our wonderful department of fish and wildlife kept this change quiet. It sure seems they are not the friend of the sportsmen and women of Washington

Don Wetzel

Yakima

Why not limit general season?

To the sports editor — I’d like to comment about a Dec. 22 article, “Elk hunters say warm season uncool.”

Most elk hunters would agree that our hunting season is too early and too short. I find it difficult to accept that this is how our game department manages the problem of too much demand on a limited resource.

Granted a mid-November rifle season could potentially devistate our elk population … unless … why not reduce demand? Make the privilege of hunting general season a limited draw. One would not be able to hunt every year, but when you could, it would be a reasonable assuption that the experience would be a quality one. I imagine such a proposal would be quite controversial not only with hunters but those who would perhaps see a loss of revenue.

If solutions for a later season are too difficult, at least give us quality special permit seasons. Holding branch bull and cow season during regular season only encourages party hunting.

Many of us invest six to 10 years in obtaining a special permit. That dedication should be rewarded. Currently we are left with the perception that game management relates only to the amount of dollars obtained from those that hunt.

James W. Scott

Yakima

Granger’s thank you

Thank You for Your Support at the 1A Basketball Tournament

We would like say “thank you” to all of the people who came out and supported the Granger Girls’ Basketball Team throughout the state tournament last week.
First, thanks to the die-hard supporters that we get on a regular basis – from the parents and grandparents to the students and the graduates and the Granger community members who are always there cheering on the girls. You are truly the lifeblood of support that our programs need.
Second, thanks to the alumni and friends of Granger that came out who haven’t been able to make it as often as they would like but were at the Sundome in full force in their Spartan red and white. It was good to see so many of you in the stands once again.
Finally, thanks to all of those people from around the valley who came out and cheered on the Lady Spartans. We were extremely touched to see people from towns and schools that we call rivals supporting us, especially in the state championship game on Saturday night. Rumor has it that even a few Zillah people were sporting red outfits in the stands (or as close to red as they could allow themselves to wear in public!). While we may wear different colors and sit on opposite sides of the gym when we play against each other, it was nice to see so many people from other communities join us as neighbors and friends to watch our girls’ amazing run through the tournament. Rivalries are great for communities to have with one another, but the true spirit of high school athletics showed through last weekend as rivals came together in support of a shared goal.
Thank you so much for your kindness and support. You’ll never know how much it meant to all of us.

Scott Rosberg, Athletic Director, Granger High School
Andy Affholter, Granger Girls’ Head Basketball Coach

2/22/09 Letter to sports

Thanks for helping ailing Selah coach

To the editor — I first met Wayne Purdom while I was officiating high school wrestling matches. He later became a wrestling official and these last few years we coached football together at Selah High School.

I believe God placed us on earth for a purpose before he calls us home. Wayne’s job has been to touch the lives of young people through sports. He has touched many in a positive way.

I would like to thank all of those involved with our efforts to raise money for Wayne and his famile.

First, I would like to thank Michelle McCartney who took the ball and organized the whole thing.

I’d also like to thank the Selah schools staff, people from the Selah and East Valley communities who donated time to operate the different fundraising stations, those who attended and donated money, the people and businesses who provided food and raffle prizes, and Scott Spruill and the Yakima Herald-Republic.

Thank you all and God bless Wayne, Biz, Wayne Jr., Brett and their families.

Gene Ramos
Selah

Letter to sports: MMA is here to stay

To the sports editor — I am writing this in response to the Feb. 8 letter by Eric Aaberg.

My husband and I own Yakima Mixed Martial Arts, Rich is also a professional MMA Fighter. We have been actively involved with the sport since 1998. I feel that it is my duty to be an advocate for this sport and educate people on the facts.

I believe that people are entitled to their opinions regarding MMA, however people should do their research before they make remarks about it.

MMA is a sport and much more than that. MMA is a state-regulated sport that allows the participants to compete in a safe environment.

Mixed Martial Arts encompasses four main disciplines: wrestling, boxing, Muy Thai kickboxing, as well as jujitsu.

Why is it that if one of these disciplines is showcased by itself it’s a sport, but when they are brought together it’s brutal?

In “clean” sports such as football, it is reported that there were 1,006 direct and 863 indirect fatalities between 1931 and 2006 as a result in participation in all organized football (from kids to the pros). Yet, people call our sport brutal.

How can anyone compare mixed martial arts to gang activities? Many competitors are highly educated indivduals. And if MMA was so bad then why is it that our armed forces and police departments all across the country have MMA as part of their tactical defenses training? In fact we have many YPD officers that train with us. MMA is the fastest growing sport in the country. The participants invest countless hours in training and preparing to compete. There is a huge fan base locally and the Herald-Republic should continue to report on this wonderful sport.

The sport of MMA is in fact here to stay.

Julie Guerin

Yakima

2/8/09 Letters to sports

No MMA, please

To the sports editor — I generally support the Yakima Herald-Republic in its endeavors. I have subscribed to your fine newspaper for more than 30 years.

However, I wish to register my disgust with your decision to include an item from a mixed martial arts event in the Herald-Republic’s Jan. 25 sports pages.

Mixed martial arts is not a sport. It is an exhibition of violence and brutality. It is not an “art,” since one usually thinks of an art being something beautiful, not something ugly and despicable. Information about mixed martial arts should be found next to stories about gang violence, graffiti and drive-by shootings, if it is ever published at all.

Your sports pages are full of information about basically clean sports that publicize decent athletic activities. What place is there for an activity in which one participant can hit his opponent in the face while he is on top of him? No more mixed martial arts in your sports pages, please.

ERIC R. AABERG

Selah

Willie’s a wonder

To the sports editor — The Jan. 30 article on Wapato’s Willie Blodgett was great. What a complete basketball player Mr. Blodgett is.

I’m a middle school coach in Wapato and this young individual deserves all the recognition he gets.

Coming from the Yakama reservation myself, there really aren’t many positive things young Native Americans can look up to. I feel that Willie sets a great example for the kids in Wapato and kids around the Valley.

If you ever go to a game in Wapato, you will see Willie with a ball in his hands, always improving. This kid comes and helps the middle school practices and lends advice to the younger kids as well. This community is very lucky for that.

Lastly, years back we all got to see a great guard come to the Yakima Valley and shine. Luke Ridnour, a pro athlete coming from 2A. I feel that Willie ranks right up there.

Keep up the good work, Willie. Thanks for being a person that kids can look up to.

JAMES BOBB

Yakima

• The Herald-Republic welcomes letters to the sports editor. To be considered for publication, letters should be no more than 300 words, with 200 words or fewer preferred. All letters are subject to editing and should be free of personal abuse and signed by the writer. Writers must include an address and telephone number where they can be reached during the day. Telephone numbers and addresses will not be published, but the Herald-Republic will not print letters it cannot verify.

Address letters: To the sports editor, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909

Address e-mail: sports@yakimaherald.com

FAX: Newsroom fax machine, 24 hours: 509-577-7767

11/02/08 Letter to sports/outdoors

Improve modern rifle season

To the sports editor — Recently there has been news about muzzleloading changes, pitting the traditionalists against in-liners.

I have hunted elk with black powder since 1973 using both side-hammer as well as in-lines muzzleloaders.

I currently hunt with an in-line and it is more accurate at longer distances and is easier to maintain. It is almost always certain to go off when I pull the trigger.

Would I like to keep hunting with a in-line? Yes, but I have noticed some alarming changes in the type of hunters who are entering the black powder hunting arena. Most have the same modern hunter mentality of the more the merrier.

I have hunted the same place for the past 10 years and it used to be rare to see another hunter other then members of my group. Now we have been inundated by hunters who have the ethics of the average modern hunter. They rarely get anything, but they shoot numerous times and have ruined my chances at being successful.

I would be in favor of going back to side-hammer rifles and changing bullet restrictions, if that would limit the amount of black powder hunters. As far as scopes go, if they were legal I’d have one on my in-line, but I’m against anything which brings in additional hunters.

If we had better modern rifle season, most people wouldn’t be even considering going to black powder.

I suggest the department of fish and wildlife use the same allotments for an early season as they do for cow permits. If there are 225 cow permits for unit 368, have 225 during the early season in unit 368. Anyone who doesn’t get drawn for a early tag would be able to hunt a new late season, which would be in the old areas. I would say better then half of the hunters would rather hunt those units anyway.

Mark Blanchard
Yakima

10/26/08 Letter to Sports/Outdoors

Scopes and muzzleloaders

To the sports editor — In my mind there is just something not right with putting a scope on a muzzleloader (The scope trial, Oct. 21 outdoors/sports section).

I have hunted many years with a traditional black powder rifle and still use a patched round ball and have had no problems with it doing the job. If I recall correctly, we used to call the black powder season a primitive hunt and we enjoyed a fair amount of time in the field for black powder only.

My son and I now enjoy one week in our area to hunt with a muzzleloader. Seven days. That’s it. And we look forward to that every year. The last day of the hunt we are talking about the hunt next year. I wouldn’t mind having a few more days added to the season but I certainly do mind losing any more days.

As far as failing eyesight goes as a reason to allow scopes, I’m in that boat also. I hate wearing glasses while hunting and my sights are a little fuzzy (sometimes real fuzzy) but that is the way it is. The bottom line is: If you can’t make an ethical shot, then don’t take it.

I really don’t care if others use in-line muzzleloaders or have scopes on them, but I do care if that is going to shorten my time in the woods with my traditional rifles.

Those who prefer scopes have the option of hunting the regular season — go for it! I just don’t want my primitive weapon season to be affected by it. For me — this is still a primitive hunt.

Verne Bakker

Yakima

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