1. It is NOT as bad of a drive to Westfield as I have always thought. I’ve made four trips there already … two for preseason practices, one to watch CV and Wellsboro play tennis and one to watch the baseball and softball teams in their openers. 

It’s far for me, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve enjoyed the drives. Maybe it’s been the nice weather? No, it was freezing the night softball and baseball played!

Maybe its because I can get home before dark? Yeah … I know I’m showing my age by saying I don’t like driving at night.

I think it’s a combination of the landscape, that I’m sure a lot of local people may take for granted, and those people themselves. You've all been great. The coaches are accommodating, and the players and parents appreciative. 

Oh .. and the restaurant right by the school? Home Comfort? Hidden gem!

2. It is NOT going to be possible for me to start out in Westfield, get shots of softball and baseball, and then stop in Elkland to catch an inning or two of softball AND get back to Lawrenceville in time to get shots at a Williamson baseball game. I tried … and failed! 

It made total sense that I could. I think I just stayed too long at the ones I did hit. I probably enjoy watching the games too much at this point. I need to either realize that I’m there to get photos … to work … or just pick a pair of games I can stay at for the whole thing!

3. In my defense of the above, I think there are going to be a few teams from the West that make some noise in the league. They’re fun to watch. 

CV’s softball team is scoring in bunches, and defensively they are very solid. It is very apparent that those girls did not sit around all through quarantine whining about not being able to play ball. They played a lot of travel ball. And they played together. It’s paying off now.

The same appears true of both Williamson and NP-Liberty’s softball teams. I only caught a couple innings of their game last week, but it didn’t look like a pair of teams that hadn’t played in two years. That’s a tribute to the coaches, the parents and to the players themselves. 

I haven’t seen much baseball yet, but I did watch CV battle with Troy and take a 1-0 lead into the seventh inning. Their number one pitcher, Tucker St. Peter, is very solid. Their offense will come along the more they play. If they can develop a strong number two as the season goes on they could surprise some teams.

I missed the NP-Mansfield/Williamson game last week, despite my efforts. If I hadn’t needed gas maybe I could have made it …

I’m looking forward to catching the NP-Mansfield game today with Hughesville, and seeing both Wellsboro softball and baseball play Williamson Tuesday. 

My last observation … a high school tennis match is very fun to watch! I was able to watch Wellsboro and CV play, and I really enjoyed it. What I took away from it was … Wellsboro is very good. Their 4-0 record proves that. But watching them in-person shows it too. Great athletes. 

Cowanesque is VERY young and VERY inexperienced. But they played their matches with Wellsboro out and honestly looked like they were having as much fun as the Hornets! 

I’m hoping to get to a bunch of games this week - weather and covid permitting. Both Towanda and Wyalusing have suspended extracurricular activities until at least after Easter, causing postponement of a few match-ups with West teams so far. 

Good luck to all of the West teams this week!