Hornets, Coach Back In Contention -- Enumclaw Softball Returns Experience On Field And Bench

Tim Nelson is not doing a very good imitation of a coach who supposedly resigned.

Nelson quit as coach of the Enumclaw High softball team last spring, hoping to spend more time with his family and concentrate on coaching the Enumclaw girls basketball team.

But guess who's back in charge of the softball team?

"I'm really not supposed to be doing this," said Nelson with a laugh. "I did resign after the season. I was ready to give it up."

But when no one offered to coach the team, Nelson, along with former Enumclaw baseball coach Chuck Basteyns, agreed to stay on.

Nelson, who has coached the softball team for five years, will serve as co-coach with Basteyns. Basteyns stepped down as baseball coach last spring, but decided to coach softball when Nelson agreed to come back.

"We decided if we were going to do it, we'd do it together," Nelson said. "We're sharing duties with each other. I did the same thing in basketball last year with Ron Miller."

Basteyns does have softball experience, having coached the Enumclaw team prior to becoming baseball coach. The co-coach situation gives the Hornets plenty of experience on the bench.

"This should work well for us and the girls," Nelson said. "A situation like this gives the girls two coaches to talk to."

Nelson said this would be his last season as softball coach. But isn't he the guy who said that last year?

"This is it," Nelson said. "It will be family and basketball after this."

Enumclaw, 12-4 for third place in Pierce County League softball play last year, is one of the league favorites. The Hornets return their entire infield - as well as all-league outfielder Lisa Doud.

Senior leadership is abundant as is experience and depth.

"We have a good enough team to contend with," Nelson said. "With the players we have back, we don't have a lot of holes to fill."

When Nelson does leave after the season, he's likely to miss the first year of fastpitch in the PCL. The league's coaches and athletic directors have agreed to make the change next season. The only remaining obstacle is the PCL's principals.

Most of the state is turning - or already has switched - to fastpitch. The proposed switch is somewhat controversial.

"I'm against it," said White River Coach Matt Brkljacich. "I think it really limits participation, taking a lot of players out of the game. It becomes a game of a good pitcher against the other team's hitter."

Others, however, are for fastpitch.

"Fastpitch is a fast game and more exciting," said Tahoma Coach Chuck Bernardoni. "And it opens the doors for college scholarships. All colleges play fastpitch and those are the types of players they are looking for.

"If we switch to fastpitch, some of the players in this league will have a good chance at getting a scholarship. With slowpitch, you can throw the scholarships out the window."

The PCL decision is likely to come later this spring. It's a decision that is likely to affect some players. Some will quit, others will begin to play.

"I've got some girls running track who want to play fastpitch, not slowpitch," Bernardoni said. "A switch to fastpitch will definitely help."

ENUMCLAW

-- NICKNAME - Hornets. -- CO-COACHES - Tim Nelson, sixth year, and Chuck Basteyns, first year. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 12-4 league (third); 18-7 overall. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - Lisa Doud, sr., shortstop; Paula Baslee, sr., catcher; Anna Hissman, so., pitcher; Kim Smith, sr., pitcher; Mindee Brown, sr., first base; Dawn Tinney, so., second base; Tiffany Mawdsley, jr., third base; Kelsey Zaputil, jr., outfield. -- KEY NEWCOMERS - Karen Richards, sr., outfield; Jennifer Bloomer, sr., outfield; Mary Starr, sr., third base. -- OUTLOOK - With nine players returning, Enumclaw will contend for the league championship. The Hornets return their entire infield and will be led by all-league senior outfielder Lisa Doud.

TAHOMA

-- NICKNAME - Bears. -- COACH - Chuck Bernardoni, fourth year. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 6-10 league; 6-12 overall. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - Alicia Sloan, sr., third base; Heidi Frank, jr., shortstop; Heather Hildebrandt, sr., catcher; Brooke Hanford, jr., pitcher; Trina Stangland, sr., outfield; Michelle Hudson, sr., outfield; Jenny Gott, jr., outfield. -- KEY NEWCOMERS - Stella Pacho, sr., outfield; Melanie Frank, fr., outfield; Merisha Werlinger, fr., second base. -- OUTLOOK - Solid experience returns for Tahoma. The Bears should be strong with three returning outfielders, but are thin in the infield.

WHITE RIVER

-- NICKNAME - Hornets. -- COACH - Matt Brkljacich, first year. -- 1991-92 RECORD - 9-7 league; 11-9 overall. -- TOP RETURNING PLAYERS - Sara Bickler, sr., shortstop; Teresa McGhee, sr., first base; Erin Hyppa, sr., outfield; Emily Bevaart, sr., outfield; Micala Kaelin, jr., third base; Carmen McDonald, jr., catcher; Carmen Nordhougen, sr., pitcher. -- KEY NEWCOMERS - Reeca Ruley, fr., second base; Melissa Anderson, fr., outfield; Brandy Osborn, so., infield. -- OUTLOOK - Overall experience is strong with several key returning players at important positions. Senior leadership is abundant.