Sports

EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

The final score isn’t as important as the experience in what has become an annual tradition between the Liberal Bee Jays and Liberal Rattlers.

The Bee Jays won 8-5, but the score may be deceptive. This year, the Bee Jay pitchers took the field with the Rattlers, and the Rattler pitchers took the field with the Bee Jays. That way, the Rattler batters faced Rattler pitchers, and the Bee Jay batters faced Bee Jay pitchers.

EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

One bad inning prevented the Liberal Bee Jays from earning a series sweep against the Denver Cougars in a three-game set over the weekend, and it was the first inning.

Liberal gave up three runs in the series opener Saturday after the Friday game was postponed due to heavy rain.

The game was reduced to seven innings, and that, too, may have cost the Bee Jays who rallied late but could not take the lead in an 11-8 loss.

EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

With temperatures hovering around 50 degrees Tuesday night at Brent Gould Field, the Bee Jays opened the season with a cold start, but they heated up late to earn a come-from-behind 3-2 win.

Josh Reed took the mound for the Bee Jays but struggled with his location and walked a batter and beaned two others. Dodge City got a clutch two-out hit to score two runs and took the early lead.

Kansas State High School Activities Association

While there are many positive outcomes of sport and activity participation, the Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) recognizes that burnout among high school students and athletes is a growing concern. The benefits include, but are not limited to, increased confidence, self-worth, learning team-building skills, learning communication skills, building a positive relationship with exercise, improved sleep, improved immune functioning, improved academic performance, and creating positive relationships with others. Burnout is commonly characterized by three processes: physical and emotional exhaustion, a decrease in the person’s sense of accomplishment, and the reduction in how that person values their sport (or activity).