September 3, 2009 – 8:24 am
Greg Mast
The fall sports seasons for high school and college teams have begun. Expectations are high for many. It should be a fun time for all involved
The Ottawa Herald published in today’s edition its annual Fall Sports section with previews of the 19 different high school teams the paper covers. It was a collective effort among many to get it to press on time. Happy reading.
For those wanting, this is your chance to weigh in on your take of the fall sports season or anything that is on your mind. Just make a comment.
Until next time,
Greg Mast
Herald Sports Editor
This has been an unbelievable American Legion AA season. The Ottawa squad has beaten everybody in sight. They are 32-0 heading into the final home game of the season Tuesday. Ottawa has taken on all comers.
Ottawa opened the season with two wins over a good Princeton Rebels squad to win the Ottawa wood bat tourney. Then Ottawa began run-ruling most foes. Ottawa took the challenge head on this weekend in the Mike’s Classic in Emporia.
Greg Mast
Ottawa was a marked team. The Kansas Senators wanted a piece of Ottawa after two losses last year. Ottawa withstood the Senators for a 6-4 win. Ottawa took out the Olathe South Falcons, 11-9, to win the tourney title for the second straight year.
Ottawa is winning games by making plays all over the field. Pitchers are making big pitches, the fielders are coming up with plays at key times and the hitters have come through with 2-out RBIs all season.
All 12 players have lots of talent and all have made major contributions to the success of the team. Ottawa begins league tourney play this week with the zone tourney slated for next week in Paola. The state tourney is in Sabetha the first week of August and the Mid-States Regional Aug. 6-9 in South Dakota.
Come out Tuesday and support a bunch of players that proudly wear the Ottawa uniform.
Until next time,
Greg Mast/Ottawa Herald Sports Editor
Greg Mast
A story that somebody reads in the newspaper doesn’t get accomplished without a lot of things happening behind the scenes. The Ottawa Herald sports department is made up of one person — me. I spend countless hours tracking down scores and info to put in the paper.
I don’t care what school, male or female team. I treat them all the same. Because of the short staff, I can only attend one event at a time. The rest of the stories come from the coaches. Some report well, but most don’t for various reasons.
If it is not reported, then the story is not printed. It is that simple. If one story is longer than the another, it is because the info received was that way.
I have a lot to juggle a lot on a daily basis. I am always battling time and space. I have an early deadline of 10 a.m. so we can be out on the street by noon. I need the information from the coaches before 9 a.m. If received after that, the story will be published in the next edition.
If a coach gives me information, I would never not put it in the paper. If I get it, it gets in. That is my job and I take it seriously. Just ask my wife.
Until next time,
Greg Mast/The Ottawa Herald Sports Editor
Greg Mast
Ottawa University men’s basketball coach Andy Carrier runs an honest and class program. He has a blueprint and it works. He has proved it for 20 years.
Carrier received accolades beyond the KCAC and the NAIA with his coach of the year honors from the KBCA. It is the second time the OU coach has received this honor. The other time was in 1995.
Carrier guided the Braves to back-to-back NAIA national tourney appearances and Sweet 16 berths. Those wins in the national tourney were the first for Ottawa. He is closing in on Bill Frear’s career win total and will pass the legendary Braves coach early in the 2009-10 season.
Those kinds of achievements don’t happen by accident. He is humble in both in victory and defeat.
Until next time,
Greg Mast/Ottawa Herald Sports Editor
April 13, 2009 – 10:05 am
Greg Mast
The only people busy so far during the prep sports season has the athletic directors. The rain and cold have postponed more events than played.
This week is no different. The Ottawa High School golf team had its third tourney rescheduled this spring. So far the Cyclones have played just once and that was moved back. Area Baseball and softball schedules continue to be jumbled. The West Franklin and Central Heights softball and baseball games will be played Thursday.
Ottawa’s soccer match with Lansing was suspended Thursday night because of lightning. No date for the resumption of that match has been announced.
All sports spring sports schedules need to be put down in pencil with all contests subject to weather permitting.
Until next time,
Greg Mast/Herald Sports Editor
