One of the drawbacks of an All-Star coach this week is roster control, especially when it comes to softball.
Teams only have two practices together before they play in today's doubleheader at Farris Field in Conway, and coaches have to quickly scramble for a replacement player on short notice if one of the selected players decides not to participate at the last minute.
Arkansas High School Coaches Associaton All-Star Softball Games
When: 5 p.m. doubleheader
Where: University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Team rosters (Subject to changes)
WEST
Head Coach: Michael Brooks, El Dorado
Assistant Coaches: Brian Butler, Greenbrier; Lyndsey Hill, Dardanelle; Tony Sagely, West Fork
Manager: Alyssa Stanfill, El Dorado
Name^School
Katie Bailey^Pottsville
Delaney Bone^ Benton
Jessi Bratton^ Magnet Cove
Bailey Bunch^ Mena
Morgan Burke^ Sheridan
Allison Cree^ Trinity Christian
Andi Cumbie^ Mansfield
Leslie Hudgeons^ Dardanelle
Olivia Karnes^ West Fork
Chrystal Kegley^ Foreman
Kennady Kremers^ Scranton
Charline Lasley^ Greenbrier
Ashley Lyons^ Vilonia
Paige Mendoza^ Fort Smith Southside
Sydney Orr^ Spring Hill
Kayla Reap^ White Hall
Olivia Reed^ Sheridan
Chandler Sone^ Huntsville
Madison Taylor^Taylor
Alex Webb^Atkins
Kenzie Ziem^Springdale Har-Ber
Haylee Zimmerman^Rogers High
EAST
Head Coach: Chris Cope, Cabot
Assistant Coaches: Chad Hutson, Woodlawn; Eric Chambers, Beebe; Karen Sanders, Brookland
Manager: Heather Hill, Cabot
Name School Coach
Amanda Berry^ Harding Academy
Maddie Bishop^ Jonesboro
Lakynn Brown^ Viola
Peyton Carter^ Paragould
Kristen Dempsey^ Haskell Harmony Grove
Erin Eckert^ Cabot
McKenzie Escovedo^ North Little Rock
Megan Goodnight^ Cabot
Madison Greathouse^ Buffalo Island Central
Brittni Huggins^ Brookland
Alexus Lawellin^ Batesville Southside
Abbye LeJong^ Greenwood
Michelle Long^ Marion
Brooke Mason^ Bald Knob
Abigail McCauley^ Armorel
Chase Nelson^ Paragould
Paisley Pratt^ Midland
Ellie Reaves^ Beebe
Halley Ryburn^ Monticello
Tori Stafford^ Van Buren
Kendal Sullivan^ South Side Bee Branch
Jordan Wylie^ Woodlawn
"This is my third time in the coaching part of the All-Star games, and Monday is always a challenge," said West Fork coach Tony Sagely, who was selected as one of the West assistant coaches. "There's always some who are expected to come and eventually don't. There could be up to five kids who might do that.
"But I think it's always fun to go down there. It's a chance to meet some of these girls and watch them for the last time before they go off to college. For others, it's a chance for one more game before they go on to the next step of their lives."
Sagely said Saturday the search for new players has been at a minimum since the All-Star rosters were announced on May 27. Only two player changes have been named on the West team out of the original 22-person roster.
Players were scheduled to report to the University of Central Arkansas campus by 1 p.m. Monday for All-Star week. The softball teams then held a short practice following the photo session, and they will have another one this morning before today's doubleheader.
"These should be the best of the best players in the state," Sagely said. "There shouldn't have to be a whole lot of work done before we throw the into a game. Two practices should be all right."
Sagely expects pitching to be a strong point for the games, and the West roster should be solid with pitchers. He and the other West coaches were expected to determine who would pitch and what innings they would pitch when they met Sunday.
Another bright spot for Sagely will be the chance to coach Olivia Karnes again. It will be the final game for the former West Fork standout, who will go on to be a student at Arkansas Tech.
"Olivia was great at the plate, hitting around .400 this spring," Sagely said. "She was also a good defensive first baseman, so that's going to be a special experience to coach her again. I'm honored to be one of those coaches."
Sports on 06/23/2015