One of my favorite programs on Speed Channel is called “Back the Day” It is a collection of old footage from NASCAR races, some as far back as the early to mid 1960’s

This post is doesn’t contain film footage, but rather factual information about Hoxie’s Softball program.

Past records were not achieved by all star players, but players working together as a team. This was a result of hard work and determination by everyone involved. Hours upon hours of endless practice. Drill after drill, after drill going over every aspect of the game. Scenarios were not discussed, they were broken down and gone over time and time again.

Back in the day….when a girl joined the softball program, it was understood practice would be held on a daily basis, and the only days you didn’t have practice were those days you played. This included indoor practice and the use of the on campus batting cages.

Back in the day….Hoxie’s softball program was not only competitive, but was the envy of a lot of other area programs due to their work ethic and determination both on and off the fields. It wasn't by accident Hoxie won games....they worked their butts off

Back in the day….Hoxie did not have a pitching machine, but rather pitchers who threw during practice to each individual player. This not only gave the pitcher practice and an ability to build up endurance, but gave players a chance to hit live pitches….just like the ones being thrown in a game. Why practice using only a pitching machine?

Back in the day……Softball was treated like every other sport. Practice makes perfect….and more practice makes for a better team. Practice wasn't an option...it was mandatory.

Hoxie’s Softball program isn’t in a slump….Hoxie’s Softball program is virtually non-existent. No plans are being made for any player over the age of 15, yet players on this year’s team range from 15-18. Apparently parents are expected to just except this as just how things are going to be. I along with every other parent expect a lot more.

My daughter has played softball since the age of 7 and has given nothing but her all to the sport she loves. Her Junior year has been taken from her, and can never be given back.

Back in the day….Hoxie parents didn’t expect less from any team, but the most from every team.

I hear ya.. Warrior football was BAD for years and just in the past 2 have things looked better.. Hoxie FOOTBALL is a class act.. WHY not SOFTBALL...ALL of the Hoxie parents need to speak up.. Warrior football is having a meeting 2night be try and stay on top of things and HELP anyway we can... WHO is to blame,.,, ALL of you need to get on board and get this program back on TOP.... Allot of girls that played school ball have went on to play college correct? GOOD luck.. and I hear a year lost can never be gotta back... STAY ON THE school and MAKE them step up to the plate.... GO lady Mustangs.....

LOVE back in the day.. Dale JR......

We are a lot like most other schools in that we have separate rules, regulations and expectations in Boys v Girls athletics.

Hoxie went through years of sub par football, because there was no real interest by the powers that be in the football program. People are now in place who have high interest in the football program. The same can be said for Basketball, both boys and girls.

Softball has been the sport at the bottom of the barrel for some time. Looking at the facilities alone lets you know where the importance is being placed. Concessions and restrooms are sitting behind home plate at the baseball field. Those needing to use the restroom or get a drink must walk the full length of the baseball field. Also, no concessions are sold during softball games, that is unless the boys happen to be playing at home.

Some players have gone on to play college softball from Hoxie, not a lot, but some. However the chance for players to excel should be redly available to any present and future player.

All I am asking for is the two sets of standards be abolished at Hoxie. Why should we expect anything less of our ladies softball program than any other extra curricular activity which might involve boys?

How many years has Hoxie been playing fastpitch? I didn't think it had been around long.

Hoxie began playing fastpitch in 2003 and has seen considerable success in the past. Never have the Lady Mustangs been a powerhouse fastpitch team, but they could ruin the plans of a lot of team who took them lightly.

Dear Pixtaker,

Your "loyalty" is no indication of what Mustang spirit is really like. Aren't you the same guy who was out on the field hitting ground balls only three weeks ago and offering to help this team get better? You make me sick. You are just a front runner who is only concerned about making sure things are going your way. You can't give a new coach and a young team the time and opportunity to make their own way and build a new program.

The Hoxie school and community has always supported the girls softball team, as well as all of our other teams, regardless of race or gender. Our superintendent always thinks about what is best for our students. Our athletic director will do anything possible to help all of our athletic programs. As for the comparison between the baseball and softball fields, you should know that the new dugouts and press box for the baseball field were built through private donations. However, the new softball dugouts were added by the superintendent and athletic director based solely on the fact that the girls needed them.

The "wild things" (you can find their sign hanging on the outfield fence) summer team was a summer state championship team and national finalist team. This team was organized, coached, and funded by the parents. These parents did not sit around at their computers complaining about how things were going. They took their own children out and gave them opportunities. They didn't sit and wait for the school to take care of their children during the summer. This kind of devotion by the parents produced players such as: Kristen Myers (Wendy's High School Heisman National Finalist), Courtney Goodwin (All-State, All-Conf, Collegiate player), Brittany & Tiffany Smith (both All-Conf), Jodi Kopp (All-conf), Brittney Richey, Brianna & Jade Seagraves (All-State, All-Conf, & Jr. All Star), Conna Strong (collegiate player), Rachel Goff (All-conf), etc., etc. And, trust me, I could go on all night naming other players who had parents who devoted themselves to making sure their daughters had summer opportunities to continue to improve. So, go ahead Pixtaker, sit back and blame everyone else while you shoulder no responsibility.

Most of the current softball girls have been given numerous opportunities to play during the summer. However, much like your own daughter, they turn down these opportunities as recently as last summer. Oh, and by the way, it was the Hoxie coaches who went out of their way to help these girls find summer teams or form one of their own. But, these girls didn't want to give up their lake time.

It is true that the new softball coach has run into numerous obstacles with this year's very young and very inexperienced team. He had 3-5 experienced players who chose not to play or quit, and these girls could have helped the team succeed. Flooding and uncooperative weather have also added to the difficulties of this season. While he may not do things the way the past coach did, he does care greatly about his players and about making them successful softball players as well as successful people. You may not agree with his methods, and you may long for the "good old days". But, as long as he continues to treat these young ladies with respect and dignity, I will continue to lend him and them my undying support. I will not abandon them because of the score on the scoreboard or their win-loss record.

Up until this post, I thought Pixtaker was a Mustang fan. But, it turned out, he was just riding the bandwagon as long as it was going his way. If this is the way you show your spirit for the green, do us all a favor and take your fake down the road.

RUN WILD
RUN FREE
RUN WITH THE MUSTANGS!!!

Bleed green no matter what or bleed to death!!

You're welcome to your opinion as is everyone else. You, like myself took the opportunity to voice it. Question my loyalty to Hoxie if you choose, but such remarks have no basis. Now am I one for voicing my opinion...you bet I am and I'll continue to do so. I have every right. Discussing softball shouldn't be seen as Taboo. I won't simply sit by and see things spiraling downward and wave goodbye to something that means so much to our family.

BTW...my daughter did not turn down the opportunity to play softball this past summer. She was on a team called the NEA Legacy. We were a group of players from Hoxie, Corning, Bay, Broookland, Naylor, Missouri, Marion and Truman. She along with the rest of her team traveled around Arkansas and played in Tournaments all summer. Vacancy from softball has never been a part of her routine. One summer she played for Hoxie and a team from Jonesboro as well.

I stand behind every word I posted and anyone who know Hoxie Softball knows it is nothing but the truth. I ask only the girls be worked and taught the game of softball. No one is expecting a miracle over night or asking for anything unreasonable. Having daily practice isn't being unreasonable, Asking to use the batting cages in the old gym shouldn't be taken as being out of line.

I will address one thing....you speak of building a new program at Hoxie. A program was in place, and there was no need to rebuild a successful program.

I couldn't help but respond to the quoted section above.

These girls you mention were a breed apart from the rest. The "wild things" played together from the age of 10. This slow pitch team went on to capture the last ever state slow-pitch championship in 2002. I should know...I was at the game when the Mustangs won over the team from Stamps Arkansas. That's right, Hoxie run ruled the team at Fayetteville. I went to the game with the parents of one of the players who happened to be one of the coaches from Wild Things.


By the age of 10 my daughter had played 2 years of softball at Hoxie. The following summer no program was offered but that didn't stop the learning process. Although she didn't play on a team, she was learning the basic techniques of pitching. The summer was filled by following a team called "The Dirty Dozen" around the state. We assumed responsibility a long time ago.

As far as blaming anyone for anything or placing the responsibility of teaching a child the game of softball...that lies solely on the shoulder of the parents. H/S softball coaches aren't expected to teach the fundamentals of softball.

You'll need to try a little harder disprove any loyalty.

Look You know as much about softball as I know about molecular biology. This is a public fourm and you are bad mouthing the coach, the admin, the facilities and any thing else you can think of. I guarantee if I had a problem with the way things are done I would roll up my sleeves and go to work helping. I sure would not get on a public forum and show our dirty laundry to the world. This is the only sign I will ever need in order to understand your loyalty. These lady Mustangs deserve undying loyalty not your help in destroying any confidence that things will improve in the future.

What I am trying to say in layman terms is this "the kids read this stupid web site so watch what you are saying".

While I read this web site quite a bit, I have never chosen to post before and most likely I never will again but what you have done here is wrong. You know it and I know it so sleep well. Front runner

RUN FREE
RUN WILD
RUN WITH THE MUSTANGS

BLEED GREEN ALWAYS OR BLEED TO DEATH!!!!!!

Then you know a lot about molecular biology? Cool!

I played 7 years independent league softball which included a 32-0 season in 1984. This was the year the team I played catcher for won the State Championship. I also have also helped coach for 5 seasons on teams which my daughter played on. I don't know everything and never have claimed to. I am constantly learning and will continue to do so.

Twist things around to look like I am bad mouthing the kids and administration at Hoxie. You've taken on a huge task....good luck.

Hmmm, This thread sounds familiar. Let me think. Oh yeah, it sounds like Westside 2 years ago during the kaos that occurred there. Sorry Pix, I wish ya'll luck in the future, as for me, this is my last year.

Pix is not uncovering your dirty laundry, all of us that play in this conference have seen your facilities. I have yet to see a school that treats the girls teams as well as the boys. At Corning we are fortunate to have a city complex for our girls to play at.
As far as the statement questioning Pix's loyalty to Hoxie, that's unfair & untrue. Those of us who have daughters that have played summer ball with his daughter know that he bleeds GREEN.

bottom line is that if the girls don't play summer ball, the high school team is not going to do well

So true and it would help if the high school coaches coached summer ball or at least got involved in it. For the coaches that really do know what they're doing just don't have the time to teach the game in high school. Let me say that I don't know what is happening at Hoxie but if most of you think back a couple of years, I started a whirlwind on this forum with some HS coaches that thought they knew it all when it came to softball. I said then and I will say now, the girls learn it from playing summer ball and very rarely do they learn anything from HS ball. Pretty much all you can hope for is a coach that takes the time to listen and learn because they don't eat, sleep,and live it like the kids and the parents do. Kids can either pitch,hit,or catch before they reach the 9th grade or they probably won't be much better after that. I can -*test*-('")ify to Pix's bleeding green as far as loyalty goes and I can't really see anybody doubting that. He really wants what is best for the girls the same as I do and can't stand to see it squandered away.

And with statements like this, yes you will probably never post here again!! I know for a fact pixtakers daughter played this past summer because I told him my daughter hated low pitches and he had his daughter pitch her low and she sent it off the 300' fence in jonesboro!! (sorry pix, I had to remind you of that) This is not a stupid website!!