LADIES and gents

Have you ever heard the term under rated? Well, when it comes to coverage of women’s sports that term is well known. As a softball player in high school I knew that the baseball team received more coverage in the local paper than we did and only when we made it to the state tournament did our picture turn up on the front page of the sports section. I almost came to accept it. Then I thought to myself with my salty lower lip from spitting sunflower seeds in right field, why don’t women’s sports get the same coverage as men’s sports when its obvious girls are athletes too?

Well, I’ve learned it’s quite simple; it’s about the money. Great teams, great games, great athletes lead to even greater profits. The attendance for a WNBA game can’t compare to the attendance of a NBA playoff game. And how could it when you’ve got 7-foot tall Yao Ming man, talent from around the world, and street ball players like Stephen Jackson and the Golden State Warriors? Oh and not to mention a player who has been dubbed ‘King James’.

Where my girls at? Oh they’re in Russia. That’s right Russia.
All-star players and former NCAA champs, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird are living in Russia just to play basketball and guess what they’re making six figures there, almost 10 times more than their salary with the WNBA. Sure they’re playing for a Russian czar and living in a castle, but hey they’re getting paid and getting what they deserve, NBA treatment.

Back in the states one of the most well known WNBA player, Lisa Leslie is going to miss the upcoming season because she’s pregnant. Congrats to her. I’m sure the owners of the LA Sparks are thinking how this will affect profits, but I’m thinking how it will inspire women to achieve more. You can be a mother and professional athlete.

I’ve got more from where that came from. Heck, I haven’t even really gotten into discussing softball’s soft coverage. For those who are so focused on the upcoming Ole Miss v. State baseball game on Wednesday rewind with me to last Saturday. Both Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley made appearances in the NCAA regionals. Although, they didn’t get past the first round their victory came when they were selected to compete. I’m sure Jackson State basketball fans can relate. Done and done.

I know that this is an ongoing discussion and everyone has an opinion when it comes to women’s sports and the lack of coverage they receive. It will continue to be a heated discussion in our house in which I will continue to dominate. I don’t know what the answer is, but I will leave you with this. If someone tells you that you throw like a girl…take it as a compliment!

Hardball facts about softball in Mississippi:
· The SWAC champion, Mississippi Valley State's Delta Devils played in the Carbondale, Ill regional and suffered two losses against DePaul and Southern Illinois to end their season.
· Mississippi State dropped an 8-0 decision to top seed Arizona, and then fell 12-10 to Pacific in the elimination game at the NCAA Tucson Regional. 5 players received All-SEC honors and Chelsea Bramlett was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
· The Hinds Community College softball team finished second in the state and third in the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 23 tournament.
· In 5A, South Panola fast-pitch softball team had never been in the postseason before. Not only did they beat defeating Champs, Oak Grove they beat Madison Central, with the help of Head Coach Ashleigh Hicks, who took Madison Central to the state championship the previous year. Now, that’s a great story!
· In 4A, third-ranked East Central won its fifth championship by sweeping fifth-ranked DeSoto Central in the final.
· Ninth-ranked Newton County won its third 3A title, beating 13th-ranked Caledonia.
· Eleventh-ranked Eupora won a third straight 2A title, over Clarkdale.
· In 1A, East Webster made it two in a row over Hamilton 3-2.
· Kemper Academy won the Mississippi Private School Association Overall slow-pitch softball championship.

Be Better,
Christi