USA Softball Jr. Men’s Head Coach Tim Lyon and Assistant Coach Gary Mullican, along with Selection Committe Member Doug Lindaman traveled to Chillicothe, Missouri Sept 30th – Oct 1st to view the 14th Annual Missouri Boy’s High School State Fastpitch Tournament.
This trip was to scout potential players for the USA Jr. Men’s program. This marked the second consecutive year that USA Softball has sent representatives to this tournament. Sixteen schools were entered in the single elimnation tournament with Jefferson High School claiming the title following a hard fought 2-1 game that went 8 innings. Kody Schieber of Jefferson outdueled Clint Stobbe of North Harrison in a well pitched game by both young men. This type of game shows a vast improvement in the development of players and pitchers in Missouri High School Softball. Last years final, also won by Jefferson, ended with a 23-3 final score. The finishing order of the final 4 teams is follows: 1st Place Jefferson High School (Head Coach Rob Dowis) 2nd Place North Harrison High School (Head Coach Brandon Craig) 3rd Place Winston High School (Head Coach Eric Lewis) 4th Place Nodaway High School (Head Coach Shawn Emerson)
Between games on Saturday, Coach Mulllican conducted a male pitching clinic that was attended by over 20 young men interested in improving their pitching skills. The stands were packed with parents and coaches who were also watching and learning. The majority of the young men in attendance at the clinic were freshmen and sophmores. This interest was extremly encouraging as the boys were eager to learn. Coach Lyon spoke to a large group of coaches and parents about the Jr Mens program and the recent success of the 2005 team at the Jr Mens World Championships in Canada where the USA claimed a final ranking of 5th in the World. In addition, information was made avaiable regarding the ASA Boy’s National Tournament. This past year two new teams from Missouri entered the ASA Boys Nationals with many parents and coaches making plans to field more teams to compete at the 2006 ASA Boys National tournament. The trip was another positive step in the building process of the USA Jr. Men’s Program and the overall growth of fastpitch as we continue to promote this great game.
If you know any boys born in 1989 or later who would like to be part of the Jr. Men’s program, please feel free to contact me at this email address or phone number below.
Thanks
Timothy Lyon
Head Coach
USA Jr Men’s National Team
11222 South 2515 West
South Jordan, UT 84095
801-253-0712