Slow pitch ideal training ground

CHENEY – If there’s one good thing about fall and slow pitch softball at Cheney High School, head coach Gary Blake knows he’ll not have to contend with soggy fields.

His challenge comes in getting the right numbers to field two teams.

Original turnout stood at 23 but 26 to 30 is the number he strives to reach. Rather than having kids on the bench not seeing playing time, those numbers afford stocking a JV team.

With numerous activities tugging at students, Blake dispels the idea that playing slow pitch will negatively affect spring fast pitch players.

“If they play fast pitch, they think slow...