Thanks for help with physicals ||

To the sports editor — On June 8, more than 200 student-athletes received a sport screening exam at Franklin Middle School. A successful exam allows the middle school and high school athletes to participate in interscholastic athletics for the next 24 months in the Yakima and Union Gap School Districts. For some students this is the only way for them to get a sports exam, which is a requirement for them to take part in sports and activities.

A big thank you needs to be given to the 48 physicians, medical personnel and school staff who volunteered their time to administer the exams. The volunteer medical help was provided through the Yakima County Medical Society, and included nurses from local hospitals, YVCC nursing students, medical students from Pacific Northwest University, physician assistants, physical therapists, and resident physicians from Central Washington Family Medicine. Dr. Ray Snyder and Charlene Upton from the Yakima County Medical Society played a big role in organizing the event. The event was a smooth running operation due to the many people who volunteered their time and energy.

School and community partnerships are extremely important to the Yakima School district. The DYE Sports Screening Exam is a great example of the benefits that can be provided to students and families when we work together. In today’s world students need to be involved in school activities and stay physically active. Research shows that students who are involved in school sports programs and other activities get better grades, have fewer discipline problems, have better attendance and seldom drop out of school.

The Yakima School District appreciates our partnership with the Yakima County Medical Society and 34 years of collaboration in providing outstanding sports medical screening exams to our student-athletes.

Gene Rostvold
Director of Athletics
Yakima School District

Don’t take state away from players ||

To the sports editor — During high school I took part in the Zillah basketball team and one goal that I was always reaching for was playing in the state tournament. I can’t imagine going through high school without having the chance to do so. I hope that this isn’t taken away from future players.

Brooke Mortensen
Zillah

Are there rules for cheering? ||

To the sports editor — I recently went to a youth football game in the SunDome and was pretty pleased by the way the game was going on my part.

Going into the second half of the game it all changed, in the stands that is.

When parents and fans cheer that is normal at a youth game, but when parents from the opposing team come and sit by you and tell you that you need to quit cheering for your team, that is what I call bogus.

A whole squabble happened with the parent and security. To make it better, the security would not let our side speak our piece and sent one of the parents right out of the door with no justification.

I want to know when is it right to cheer for your team and not? Is there some rule that you can only cheer to a certain point?

Rafael Morfin
Selah

Hoop supporters, voice your opinion

To the sports editor — As current coaches in the state of Washington and members of the Washington State Coaches Association we want to urge all players old and new, parents and fans to immediately contact the WIAA Director Mike Colbrese and any Executive Board Members in your area and ask them to reconsider their decision on restructuring the high school basketball state tournaments.

The decision appears to be rash and in simple terms, the smaller schools are paying a huge price for the financial problems the larger schools are experiencing. Most troubline for us is just recently as a few months ago, we were told nothing was going to happen anytime soon by WIAA staffers.

As coaches who have participated in the B, 1A and 2A state tournaments in out careers, we can attest to the excitement that qualifying for a state tournament brings to a school and a community. Cheapening that experience by reducing by half the number of students who get to take part in the state experience is saddening to us.

It is out hope that the WIAA and Executive Board has significantly underestimated the importance that small schools hold for the state basketball tournaments. It is a TRADITION like no other!!

ROBI RAAB
East Valley High School

ANDY AFFHOLTER
Granger High School

New format will hurt tournaments

As a former high school basketball player at East Valley High School in Yakima, I was shocked to hear that the state tournament has been cut to only eight teams. As a player who went on to play at the D-I college level, I can honestly say that although I had some exciting moments in my college career, nothing could ever top the experiences I had with my high school teammates and community at the state tournament those four years.

The excitement it brings to both the school and community is amazing and it truly brings communities together. Cheapening the experience is saddening to me. This would take away a once in a lifetime opportunity from 1,152 players across the state EVERY year. It also takes away the experience from their fans, band, cheerleaders, team managers and families. I would really like this choice to be reconsidered for the sake of current and future high school athletes. I would not want them to miss out on the wonderful opportunities I had. Thank you.

Jessica Huntington

Eastern Washington senior

East Valley graduate

Thanks for help at fastpitch tourney

To the sports editor — On the weekend of April 18-19, the YVCC fastpitch team hosted 23 community college teams in the NWAACC Fastpitch Crossover Tournament at Carlon Park in Selah. For the third consecutive year the tournament ran extremely smooth, and this was due to the help and involvement of many, including the maintenance staff of Carlon Park. Jeff Hagler was a big help in obtaining apples for each team and a coaches’ social.

Trudy Bray and Carol Finney volunteered to be tournament managers again. 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 smooth as it did.

Rich Austin, and Mike Carey of the Yakima Sports Commission coordinated rooms for officials traveling from out of town. Dale Hefflinger and the Best Western Ahtanum Inn served as the host hotel.

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. Fans, players, coaches and officials raised $1,350.00 for breast cancer care and research.

I have received lots of positive feedback on the tournament. Most of the coaches want the tournament to return to this area again for a fourth 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

Fond memories of George Perry

To the sports editor — The untimely death of George Perry and his wife broke my heart. As his high school football coach, I met him when he was 15 years old. He was always full of enthusiasm to play sports at Davis High School. From the very beginning, George showed a special gift for leadership. Even though he was built like a lineman, his take-charge attitude was tailored made for the quarterback position.

George was very easy to coach. He wanted to learn everything about the game, and he made sure his teammates felt the same way. There was no horse play when GP took control. In his senior year, the team tied for the Big Nine championship. They lost only to Lewiston, Idaho, on the road, in a first game that was questionably officiated. The following week, Davis played the co-champion Kamiakin to a tie, just a day after a letter written by Mrs. Cecil Andrus, whose husband was then an Idaho state senator, impugned the team’s sportsmanship. (Many letters defending the team followed the next week). Later in the season, George led the team to victories over Wenatchee, ranked No. 1, and Walla Walla, ranked No. 6. It was unfortunate that there were no state playoffs at that time.

After high school, George broke several passing records at Whitworth and then went on to a long coaching career. Without question, he touched the lives of his players as a leader, motivator, role model and coach. We were friends throughout his life, sharing coaching philosophy and often talking the on phone. Most recently, we were in contact through the internet. For me, I will miss the big fellow, but not the fond memories we shared. He was a coaches’ coach.

Dwight “Dee” Hawkes

Davis coach 1967-72

New Ike can’t forget volleyball

To the sports editor — As a person who has benefited from the Yakima School District’s policy that provides public access to its facilities, I hope the plans for the Eisenhower gymnasium continue to be as friendly to volleyball. The original Ike gym holds four regulation volleyball courts. Will the new facility offer as many? It is hard to tell at this stage — floor dimensions have not been divulged on the rendering I saw. Four volleyball courts would each need 80 by 50 feet (total floor space of 80 by 200).

Hopefully, the Yakima School District could the host more volleyball regional championships at one site. Currently the event is held more often in the Tri-Cities and Spokane, both sites with better facilities.

Volleyball has proven to be a popular sport in the Valley. More clubs have been formed within the last five years with Grandview, Sunnyside, Simcoe (Goldendale) starting clubs with one or more age groups and Selah growing to seven teams. Even Team Yakima has returned to 11 teams while Al Roger’s Cascade Club holding at five teams.

With a quality coach and program in place at Eisenhower, I hope they do not get short-changed regarding space.

Virginia Hays

Yakima

Keep lights on for soccer players

To the sports editor — Our grandson plays soccer at the Selah fields by the swimming pool. Many games are late in the day and require lights before the games end. I don’t know if somebody is there taking care of things who doesn’t want to be there or what, but they sure are in a hurry to turn the lights off. They turn the lights on before they are really needed. I know that some types of lights don’t reach maximum output immediately, but the real problem is after the game is over. Before even half the people get off the field, they turn half the lights off. Before everyone is off the field, they turn all the lights off. There are parents trying to get all of the stuff they packed to the game ready to haul to the car and kids are rounding up their soccer balls, clothes, etc. Guess what: All of the lights are turned off and we are left on a totally dark field.

Is this what Selah thinks of its kids and the parents/grandparents who support local soccer? When somebody gets hurt in the dark, will the small amount of money saved by turning the lights off early be all that important?

Richard Grimm

Yakima

Ellensburg girls say, ‘thank you’

To the sports editor — The varsity girls basketball team from Ellensburg High School would like to thank the Ellensburg and Kittitas Valley community for its support during our 2010 season, especially during the 2A State Tournament.

Teachers, staff, administrators, and the EHS booster club were great. From homework help, to special treats on the bus, to just ‘Way to go!” from people in town … everyone was generous and thoughtful. Diane Hendrix and Shannon Radich deserve special mention for donating fabulous backpacks and decorations.

The Ellensburg High School pep band and cheerleaders were supportive during our entire season. They did a stellar job at the SunDome. The garbage can” band was especially memorable and has been invited to perform at the opening of the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima in September.

Special thanks to all those who helped with, and participated in, the send-off parade including moms and dads who worked on arrangements, the fire department, and the Ellensburg Police Department who led the way with lights and sirens, teachers and students at the various schools for their well wishes and high fives. The parade is one of those small-town events that makes living in Ellensburg so special.

We wish that the EHS boys basketball team had experienced the state tournament with us. Even though they weren’t on the court, the guys and their families were in the stands during many of our games.

Dan Rossow and the Shirtworks gang made our state shirts in record time and they looked wonderful. Super One provided snacks, goodies, and water for our bus trips to Yakima.

Each team that qualifies for the state tournament is assigned hosts. The Yakirna State Fair Board was a fabulous group. We much appreciated their hospitality. The coverage provided about our team by the Yakima Herald-Republic throughout the year, especially during the 2A tournament, was stellar and kept everyone informed of our progress.

Coaches Faire, Majsterek, and Fahey, as well as the students who kept score, managed our equipment, and taped our games, were invaluable in creating and supporting our team. Finally, our parents, families, grandparents, surrogate family members and grand fans were with us through thick and thin, wins and losses, early mornings and late nights, and tears of both joy and disappointment. We couldn’t have done it without their love and support.

It would be great if every team was good enough and lucky enough to make it to the state tournament, but we know that doesn’t always happen. We consider it a privilege and an honor to have represented our community in 2010. Thanks to everyone for their support.

ELLENSBURG GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

Thanks for coverage of band, drummers

To the editor — Thank you to the Yakima Herald-Republic, Tourneytown.com and Scott Sandsberry for your kindness toward the Ellensburg High School band and the percussion ensemble.

Some people know and understand how hard my band students work. Thank you for honoring the kids with a “Dribbly” award and for posting the video of the percussion ensemble on Tourneytown.com. Recognizing student work is greatly appreciated.

Also thank you to those who paid for the bus to go to the games, Woods Ace Hardware for the galvanized garbage cans, and Pepsi for the large plastic garbage cans.

DON MAY
Instrumental Music Director
Ellensburg School District

Indoor football a community effort

To the sports editor — What an exciting thing for our entire Yakima Valley.

We are bringing professional arena football to the SunDome with our first home game on April 3 against our archrivals, the Wenatchee Valley Venom, with kick-off time at 7:15 p.m.

I became involved with The Yakima Valley Warriors after spending time with the CEO of the Warriors and co-founder of the American Indoor Football Association  Michael Mink and seeing his passion for the game and for wanting to help young men reach their dream of playing professional football.

I was also very moved by Mr. Mink’s enthusiasm to make the Warriors a huge part of the Yakima Valley by working with youth and teaming up with the the Grid Kids Association and starting the Junior Warrior Indoor Football League.

Warriors players and management have also teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses for the less fortunate in the Yakima Valley. This is your team and something very positive that we are all working very hard to bring to the Yakima Valley.

So, come on, Yakima, come and check out some of our own homegrown football talent and help us by supporting the Yakima Valley Warriors. Be sure to check out our Web site at www.yakimavalleywarriors.com.

STEVE SHELDON
Co-Owner, Yakima Valley Warriors

Knights coach says thank you

To the sports editor — What a wonderful week the Sunnyside Christian boys basketball team experienced during the Class 1B state basketball bournament.

With so many enjoyable experiences occurring, I can only share my thanks to the sources of the entire four days.

As a coach I have been thoroughly blessed to enjoy so many special times with the young men on the SCHS basketball team, and I am sure Coach Smeenk feels the same emotions when working with the young ladies. Thank you, players, for your diligent effort and dedication for another fine season.  Also, I want to thank my assistant coaches, Brian and Henry Bosma for their dedication and commitment to excellence.

God is good!  Without His constant care none of these accomplishments and memories would be possible. May we thank Him daily for the blessings He provides.

Fans, you were again wonderful.  SCHS enjoyed great fan support all week in the SunDome.  What an encouragement for the players and coaches.

To the cheer-squad members, girls basketball players, fellow students, parents, and season game workers, thank you for your commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication adding to the success of the team.

Another thank you I want to offer is to Gene Rostvold, Andy Affholter Sr., Gene Evans, and the other cordial staff at the SunDome for their hospitality and assistance.

We also enjoyed the benefits of a fine host, Mr. Joe Mann, owner of Ron’s Coin and Book.  What a pleasure to have Joe both support us at the games and enjoy the fine meal that he purchased for the players and coaches at The Olive Garden.

Last, thanks to Scott Spruill, Scott Sandsberry, Dave Thomas, and Roger Underwood for their excellent reporting and thorough coverage of the Knights at the 1B tournament, and thank you to the photographers from the Herald-Republic for the work that you did taking photos.

Once again, thank you to all who support Sunnyside Christian School.  May God bless you.

DEAN WAGENAAR
Sunnyside Christian boys’ basketball coach

Thank you from Bickleton girls

To the sports editor — We would like to thank the Yakima Herald-Republic, the Yakima SunDome personnel, the WIAA, our sponsor, AAU and Mr. Paul Campbell for the gracious treatment they gave us while we were at the state 1B basketball tournament.

We also want to thank coach Emily Barnhart, her assistants, Neal Brown and Selena Naught, and Mr. Palmer, out superintendent for getting us there.

We were no doubt one of the smallest high schools at the tournament, but we have the greatest fans. We love Mr. Nelson and our pep band.

Thank you to all the alumni, former coaches, family members and friends who came from far and near to cheer us on, and, of course, thanks to our “B-town” fans and family for hanging in there with us. We could feel your support every time we hit the court.

We love you all. Being at state was a dream come true for all of us, and we will never forget it. Thanks, Yakima, and thanks to the world’s greatest fans.

BICKLETON GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

Thanks to Central Valley for band support

To the sports editor — I went to the Davis High school regional basketbal game. Davis was playing Richland High School.

When I entered the stadium I noticed there were two bands playing. One was Richland’s and the other was the Central Valley High band from Spokane. I thought to myself, “What are they doing here?” I sat down the game got started and I realized the Central Valley band was playing for Davis.

I found myself tapping my toes to the music. I watched as the band director was coordinating songs with the Davis cheerleaders and the student fan section. I was amazed how the Central Valley Band members embraced the Pirates as they would their own team.

Great plays were met with cheers from kids who don’t even know the kids on the court. My son (a member of the Pirates) told me how uplifting it was to have such an active and enthusiastic band behind them.

I witnessed a part of the game that gets overlooked sometimes — true sportsmanship. Thank you to the Central Valley pep band for cheering us to victory. Thank you to the Davis parents, players and coaches for reconizing the difference the band made in the victory. What a great high school game.

ANGELA ALLEN
Yakima

A great Granger accomplishment

To the sports editor — It is always great to have a winning basketball team represent your school but it is quite unique to have both a girls and boys district champion from one school. Granger High School accomplished that task last weekend.

Their success did not come without sacrifice from the players.  Extra training, giving up private time, increased work loads because of practice were accepted and worked into their daily lives.

Good coaching and support from the parents, grandparents, friends and community that have stood by them since preschool also add to the mix to create the championship teams we celebrate today.

We are so proud of each and everyone of you.

HELEN REDDOUT
Outlook

Sunnyside boys coverage lacking

To the sports editor — I am very disappointed in the Herald’s report on the boys 3A district championship game Saturday night (Feb. 20).

Sunnyside fought off a very spirited West Valley team to claim its first district championship in many, many years. I noticed you did, however, have a good recap of the girls District game between Hanford and West Valley.

What I would like to know is, why didn’t the paper make a bigger deal about our championship? Our boys worked hard for this and deserve a little more recognition.

Patrick Watts
Sunnyside

White Swan teams deserve more

To the sports editor — I am and always will be a Swanner, which is a White Swan Cougar fan. Over the years I have watched the Cougars go to state tourney after state tourney and have always been very supportive. We may not be one of the biggest cities in the Valley, but we do have a bigger fan base than a lot of other schools. The Cougars do not get the recognition they deserve, I feel, along with a lot of other people that support White Swan. We would like to open the sports page and see our team on the front page when it is so much deserved. Both the boys and girls will be playing for district championship tonight (Thursday) and there is not one word mentioned about the games or how well they are doing in their leagues. We love our team just as much as Sunnyside Christian, La Salle, or any other team out there. Please give us some much needed attention. Please, please, please.

Sally P. Armour
Toppenish

Help Seahawks mascot battle MS

To the sports editor — Blitz, the Seahawks mascot, needs our help! The man behind the suit, Ryan Asdourian, was my college roommate and remains one of my closest friends to this day. In addition to his job at Microsoft, he performs more than 100 appearances per year as Blitz, including Walk MS and nonprofit events.

We discovered recently that he has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative neurological disease. This is an all-call for Yakima Seahawks fans to show your support, inspire hope, and find a cure. To start, visit www.BlitzTacklesMS.com or make plans like I am for the Walk MS event in Seattle April 11.

Go Seahawks!

Joe Ketterer
Yakima

Paper missed a golden opportunity

To the sports editor — How is it possible that the sports section of the Sunday paper (Feb. 14) can  have so much coverage for two ice skaters who won an silver and a bronze at the Olympics, and not one word for a skier who won the first gold for the United States?

Stan Hughes
Yakima

Thanks to teams and volunteers

To the sports editor — Youth Basketball of America would like to thank all of the teams that participated in the first annual Sweethearts and Hoops Valentine’s Basketball Tournament. We look forward to future tournaments and league play. Please check out www.yboa.org. Thank you.

David Morehouse
State director

Kyler Bachofner
Tournament director

A spectacular night for Eisenhower girls

To the sports editor — Thank you, Ike girls for a spectacular game against Hanford on Feb. 9.

It was a great competition and, better yet, good sportsmanship.

Honoring the Ike players with flowers and introducing the team and their families demonstrated the value of family, staff and community support.

The cheerleaders were superb and the mini-cheerleaders were a joy to behold. The band was amazingly good. Wow!

Congratulations girls varsity team 2010, may you all achieve your goals and dreams, especially my favorite team member, No. 44 (Jessica Bush).

Barbara Hegel
Yakima

Keep tourneys as they are ||

To the sports editor — I’m the girls basketball coach at Granger High School, and I’m writing to call attention to the WIAA’s intent to destroy 80 years of high school basketball tradition by changing the format of the state basketball tournaments.

After years of losing money in the Tacoma Dome and rather than changing venues, the WIAA plans to float a proposal that would reduce the field in all six tournaments to 8 teams and consolidate the 3A and 4A in Tacoma, the 2A and 1A in Yakima and the 2B and 1B in Spokane.  This would keep at home 96 schools who get a chance to play at state under the current format.

As the coach of the team that finished 3rd and 2nd in the 1A the last two years, my players are the poster children for what’s wrong with this idea. Under the new format, we would likely not have qualified for state either year.

Education and athletics creates dreams for many people. This proposal would be a dreambreaker instead of a dreammaker for far too many kids.

I encourage all high school hoop fans to write the WIAA and express displeasure at this pending development and challenge them to emphasize opportunity for student-athletes by considering new venues rather than changing the existing format.

Andy Affholter

Granger High School girls basketball coach

Paper should have done more on Fuerst ||

To the sports editor — On Nov. 22, the Herald-Republic’s story on the Eisenhower-Ferris football playoff game reported Joe Fuerst’s ejection and added that an Ike representative “was told that one official saw Fuerst kick a player in the helmet after being tackled.”

That was the newspaper’s last print report on the most important play of Ike’s 11-1 season. Readers were left to wonder what actually happened, with no follow-up report, no mention that the newspaper put a 39-second tape on its website the next day showing that a Ferris player kicked Fuerst in the side as they landed out of bounds and that the only other kicking was the two players equally flailing their legs to disentangle as they lay on the ground.

It’s clear from watching the tape that Fuerst should not have been ejected. The most sensible call would have been offsetting personal-foul penalties and a warning to both players. Online comments leaned heavily toward that type of call.

But in print, the newspaper didn’t report on what its own website was showing, or the reaction it was getting.  With no apologies to electronic or internet media, if it’s not in print, where all consumers have the opportunity to see it in a lasting form, it really hasn’t been reported. Newspapers should not relegate interesting and important stories to the internet without reference to them in print, or they give up that advantage.

JIM SCOGGINS

Yakima

All-league selection process is flawed

To the sports editor — I agree with Karen Thompson (Letters to sports, Nov. 22). All-league teams should be the best.

When you lead the CBBN in assists with 14 and goals scored on your team with 13, you should certainly qualify for first team. When you either assisted or scored on over 50 percent of the total goals scored by your team, you should certainly qualify for first team. When you have 40 points for the season (two points for a goal and one point for an assist) which is one point shy of a single season record for your school, you should certainly qualify for first team.

Is the selection process flawed? Let’s make good decisions.

Richard Allen

Yakima

Leave decisions to the coaches

To the sports editor — I grew up playing baseball in Yakima, coming up through the various programs — Pony League, Scarlets, Blues and Beetles — in the 1980s.

Back then that was the natural progression and the coaches were all on the same page developing fundamentals and skills aimed at the ultimate goal of winning.

At the Senior Legion level if your players haven’t developed the basic fundamentals required to have success, they are not likely to advance. There are very few exceptions.

The assessment of talent is made by the coach and decisions are made between the lines, oftentimes in heated situations.

Parents of players have no objectivity and sometimes barely maintain rational behavior during games.

A good coach must define success for his players. A positive learning experience? When I played for Bob Garretson, it was a loud and clear experience if I didn’t perform.

As Bob Oliphant used to say: “You can always sack groceries at Safeway.”

The same as his predecessor, Mike Bailey understands what it takes to develop players, play fundamental baseball and ultimately win.

Once again the Yakima Youth Baseball professionals yanked on the reins before Mike could get out of the gate. Until you people realize that you can’t run baseball programs from the bleachers, Yakima will not renew its rightful place among the top baseball towns in America.

DAVID JOHNSON

Naches

Thanks for the help, Selah junior varsity

To the sports editor — As the high school football season draws to a close and out last teams fight to remain in the hunt for a championhip, I would like to extend my gratitude to a few members of the Selah junior varsity football team.

As a supervisor for the Toppenish School district, I am given the opportunity each year to welcome many teams to our fields, gyms and tracks. More often than not, certain reputations precede teams and assumptions are made by student-athletes, parents and fans.

Late this October, I was taken aback by the actions of the visiting Vikings.

Not only was the coaching staff excellent in their approach in attitude and leadership toward the kids, that excellence was reflected by the players as well. As the game ended and I made my way to the field to greet parents and players on my way to picking up the field, I was shocked by what I found.

This is because, as I paused to speak to Coach “Woody,” I found when I turned back around four or five Selah players were walking toward me with all of the field markers and two other coaches were carrying the down markers. In a matter of two minutes, the field was completely clean; a task that would have taken me 20 minutes to do by myself in the cold.

This is an amazing demonstration of sportsmanship, and in my opinion downright unselfishness. Finding myself overwhelmed with tasks at events such as these, it was amazing to see the visiting team reaching out to lend a hand.

ZACH DORR

Wapato