Northeast Los Angeles, CA. HS Softball
Panthers 2, Tigers 17
April 2, 200 By: Robert BS

"On behalf of the team"...

While I was chatting with coach Cortez of Franklin after her team lost, a couple of ladies came to apologize to their coach for the way the team played in the beating the Panthers took from Lincoln. I think that means so much to a coach, to be reminded there are ones that care. I mean for any coach. It's just unfortunate that there's only a handful that do care. Care about the sport they're in. How do I know? I've coach for years.

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Coached alot of these athlets that we see today playing High School sports. When I coached I noticed not all cared which means no passion for the game. A handful give it their all, 110%. While the other handful don't.

110% from the whole team is whats going to be needed if any team that wants that Championship Trophy.

What a begining of the season the girls softball team from Franklin had. They opened up at Marshall and lost 0-12.

A team most are considering the best in the Northern League this season. The Panthers had 2 bad back to

back innings (3&4), giving up 9 runs and committing 6 errors for the game. Then they go home for two games to play Eagle Rock loosing 1-10. A team that was in the Invitational Championship game a few seasons ago and is probably the seacond best team in the Northern League this season. The Panthers kept the score close (1-2) for five innings. The 5th & 6th innings, they give up 8 runs, with another 6 errors for the game.

Then Lincoln, who was in the Invitational Championship Game last season who I considered just as good as Eagle Rock if not a tab better. Panthers never gave theirselves a chance in that game loosing 2-17 and committing another 3 errors. So lets see again, The Panthers played the three top teams in the league, faced the top 5 pitchers in the league, seen 2 of the best coaches in the league (LHS, MHS) and commited over 15 errors. After all said, the Panthers are 0-3 in league, I'm sure are feeling like the season is over. The season we all know is not over because it

just started and the feelings are understandable. Nows not the time to hang any heads. But realize what they've been through and what it takes to be a Championship team and use it to their advantage.

All 3 of the teams they lost to have been involved with the Championship Game in one way or another the last 5 season. If ther'ye able to recognize that , their heads should hold high and end up with a pretty descent season.

What I've seen from Franklin at times looks pretty promising. If I had just went through what they went through, I'd feel pretty good about myself, my team and our season.