Softball: Selecting the All-City team

1. Positions don't matter: The 2008 season marks my second full year on the softball beat and one of the things I learned from my predecessor is not to worry about compiling a list based on field positions. This year's list has several shortstops and two pitchers, but I feel the ten players are so good that if you fielded a team with any of them, they could play anywhere on the field.

2. Postseason, postseason, postseason: How far a team goes during the postseason is very important to me. The teams that keep playing usually get more spots than those who bow out early. This season Benet and Naperville Central each earned three spots apiece on the All-City list and it's because their season lasted longer than any of the other teams in our coverage area.

3. MVP representatives: I usually like to make sure that at least one player from each of our five teams makes it on the list. So far, that's worked out. I determine that player by asking myself, "Who is the MVP for each of our squads?" I look at stats, but more importantly I remember what coaches have told me throughout the season and who impressed me at games. That's why Waubonsie's Ally Seplak made the list. I felt like she was unequivocally her team's MVP and that without her the Warriors would've struggled even more than they did. Area team MVPs (and remember these are my MVP picks, not the coaches or players from our schools) included: Laura Canulli (Benet), Natalie Wunderlich (Naperville Central), Sarah Adam (Naperville North), Jenna Marsalli (Neuqua Valley), Seplak (Waubonsie).

4. Stats, conference lists, etc: When I compile the area stats rail, I'm rarely surprised by who keeps popping up in the top spots of many of the offensive categories. I start this process by making five index cards for each of our teams with their top three statistical leaders in every category. Given that The Sun covers just five schools, I know enough about each team to determine what statistical category is most important to that team. For instance, with Naperville Central I paid a lot of attention to runs scored because the Redhawks had a long stretch under which they won games by one or two runs. That statistic, along with extra-base hits, landed Erin Graham on my list. With Benet, I knew they had the big bats so I paid a little more attention to their pitching stats. While Meghan Eastman's ERA didn't make the area top five I thought her pitching was impressive this season, given the power hitting conference she pitches in and the fact that Eastman had to shoulder the burden almost by herself.

5. The overlooked and under appreciated: At this point in the process, I usually only have one or two slots left on the list. I think every team has a player that provides invaluable skills but is often overlooked. These are the players that fly largely under the radar, in my opinion. This year I had three candidates for one spot. I won't mention the two that didn't make it, but I will say that they ended up with solid spots on my honorable mention list. The winner ended up being Kaitlin Coari at Benet. Coari is a solid outfielder and a solid offensive presence for the Redwings. She missed being an East Suburban Catholic Conference selection by one vote even though she had 35 hits and 13 extra-base hits (both second best on the team behind Canulli).

Remember, there are exceptions to every rule and the process is more organic and doesn't follow a rigid methodology. Nonetheless, these five rules provide a starting point and a guideline for compiling the list. Any thoughts? I'm always open to suggestions and constructive criticism. :)