Softball usually takes a back seat to Football this time of year. This season of softball could be a good one for this area:

Here's what I know:

Oran: has a new coach that can concentrate on the softball program. They have several returning player with alot of talent. There team is a mixture of speed and power. They will contend in there class.

Chaffee: They have several kids out for their program. This could help or this could hurt. They have good pitching and several girls with power up and down the line up. It will depend on how they jell together on how the season goes.

Kelly: This team is still young, but never count them out. Coach Rhonda dont just rebuild she also reloads. Their pitchers are young but throw very well. They will play small ball keeping most teams on their heals. Kelly will be exciting to watch.

Scott City: They are an experienced group but are missing their starting shortstop from last year do to injury. Their pitching staff will be their strenght. With girls playing different spots on the infield it may take time for them to jell.

Notre Dame: They are a very young group after losing several seniors to graduation. I know they played together this summer to jell and get to know each other. They do have team speed, which if they get on they will be a threat to run.

Cape Central: Another team that will be young. They have good pitching. They have some speed and some power. By the end of the year they should be there to contend.

Delta:They return with a team that was building last year. Their pitcher has pitched all summer and threw well. Their coach will have them ready to compete

Iknow I have left out teams like Sikeston,Saxony,East Prairie, may report on them at a later time

First Week Games to watch

Wednesday Aug 22 Kelly at Chaffee 4:30

Thursday Aug 23 Scott City at Chaffee 4:30

Tourneys:

August 29-31 Notre Dame Fest at Kelso and Notre Dame

September 8 Lady Devil Classic all day at Chaffee

Oran-agree that coaching change is a much needed improvement but pitching will hurt their chances to advance past Naylor.

Kelly-sharp and didn't lose much, always tough.

Scott City-team to beat. Great pitching, good offense and defense, should be too much for a young Notre Dame team to handle. I don't see Kelly or Oran staying with them.

Notre Dame-lost too much to graduation, rebuilding year.

I think parity is the theme for this years softball season. With Notre Dame returning only one starter from last years team they will not dominate the local scene like they have the last several years. Kelly will be back with two very good young pitchers. Oran played very well this summer and may be the team to beat. Cape Central has a very good pitcher who can dominate. Scott City can be strong if they can recover from some key injuries. No one else mentioned them, but don't forget about Jackson. They have some very good hitters. Sikeston, Chaffee, Delta and Saxony all come in with high hopes.

Should be a fun year!