Melody Wilkie, seen here in an earlier game, whiffed 11 Wednesday. (John Fisken photo)
The often wild and wacky world of little league took another spin down crazy lane Wednesday night, and the detour stung Central Whidbey.
The facts are murky, but let’s take a stab at figuring this out.
When Anacortes showed up to Coupeville’s diamond for a Juniors softball tilt, it either did, or did not, depending on who we believe, have nine rostered players as game time approached.
If it did not, the game would never have started, at least as an official contest, as little league rules stipulate a full nine to each side at first pitch.
Thankfully (for Anacortes), it produced a ninth girl who, depending on which story we believe, had either A) forgotten her uniform or B) didn’t have a uniform cause she’s not even on the team in the first place.
There was little doubt she was the most skilled player on the field, even playing in (rather suspiciously) Chuck Taylor high-tops.
Taking balls at short, she commanded the field in a way most little league players simply don’t.
Perhaps because, even though the Anacortes coach only gave up her first name, a quick internet search easily confirms she’s a seasoned travel ball vet and high school freshman.
Age-wise, no issue, as depending on birthdays, high school freshmen can, and do, play juniors softball.
Of course, if our mystery girl (who can’t hide in the age of the internet) wasn’t on the roster in the first place, and quite possibly isn’t even signed up for little league itself, that could, and should, have been an issue.
Especially once she ripped a bunch of hits, made several web gems and sparked Anacortes to a 17-11 win.
While, of course, remaining on the field for the full game even after two other players who actually had legitimate uniforms arrived slightly late to join the visitors bench.
Central Whidbey, which failed to properly retaliate by stealing away any Coupeville High School players who might have been wandering by, did rally for seven runs late to tighten the game up.
A single from Coral Caveness, her second of the game, set up Melody Wilkie for the biggest hit of the game for the home squad.
Wilkie, who whiffed 11 Anacortes hitters in the pitcher’s circle, jacked an RBI double to straight-away center off of “Chuck Taylor Girl,” who closed the game as a pitcher after also playing short and first.
It was a frozen rope of a hit for Wilkie, one legitimate moment in an (allegedly) illegitimate game.
Central Whidbey also pulled off some sweet defensive plays, all from players really on their roster.
First-baseman Jill Prince made a gorgeous running snag on a foul pop-up falling fast to the Earth in front of her, while Taylor Fifield had back-to-back gems in the fourth.
On the first play, she took command, calling off Wilkie at the last second while pulling in a high fly ball over second.
A moment later, Fifield went to her right, snared a hot grounder, whirled and dropped a throw right on the money into Prince’s waiting mitt.
