LaStrapes, Dominique. 2^nd, OC Batbusters, to Univ of Washington

Robins, Amber. C, Berryhill HS, Tulsa, to Southwest Missouri State

Looking over the list of invitees to the Junior World camp, and thinking about the National team camp which begins tomorrow, we thought again about the need for a truly viable, truly national 23-Under program and/or Women’s Majors program. There is simply too much talent going up through the stages of increasing excellence without an adequate opportunity to continue playing. The National team alone does not suffice. This past weekend, I saw Carri Leto at Northwestern, arguably one of the premier 2^nd base players in college, and an All American at Women’s Majors, but neither she nor Erin Mobley, another All American, got invited to Chula Vista. Brandi Stuart, another premier 2^nd baseman, didn’t get a second invitation. And, we got a good bit of email from people who want to know why Kaci Clark, who was so dominant at Women’s Majors, wasn’t invited to Chula Vista. There is some new blood at tomorrow’s camp but a great many players who have dominated that scene for years. Every player cannot be on the National team, or even try out for it, but, we need more alternatives for these young women. Jess Bashor proved they wanted to play when she rounded up a team in a few days time to play Canada Cup and Women’s Majors. This situation needs attention.

Forgive my poor editing skills. In looking at Northwestern freshmen, I was also impressed by Ashley Crane at shortstop; we had seen her on WA Ladyhawks Blue. Also, in reading through the scores on the Chicagoland tournament, I missed a score. DePaul may have overwhelmed other opponents but Purdue took them to an 8-inning tiebreaker before losing 1-0. Apologies, Boilermakers.

Every Sunday, the Washington Post publishes a photo with history of a classic automobile from years past. Sunday the feature was the 1959 Jaguar Mark IX, a luxury saloon with a powerful, turbo-charged engine, walnut picnic tables for rear seat passengers, a special set of tools crafted for that car, dual gas tanks with a level control just like an airplane, and, seating for 6 in this 4-door sedan which looked like the Rolls of the day. Cost $6,000 in 1959, which was more than the average US salary. In 1966, I traded a Mercedes 300 for a beautiful gray Mark IX. Felt like a peer of the realm every time I drove it. Through the years, I kept it in showroom condition. Unfortunately, one day I crossed an intersection just as the light changed from yellow to red, and the driver behind me sped up so fast to beat the light that a rear-end collision resulted, smashing in the trunk and rear fenders. I jumped out and charged back to the other driver, demanding to know what in the hell was the reason for this accident. My ex-wife replied, "I didn’t want to lose sight of you." We were four blocks from home.

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