Bogue Chitto’s Scott Leggett prefers to share his high level ofsoftball coaching success with his wife/assistant coach Denise. Healso credits his hard-working Lady ‘Cats who finished runners-up inthe Class 1A State Slowpitch Softball Championship for a secondstraight year.

“More than anything, I want to thank the girls,” said Leggett.”They are the ones who make it all happen. They are very coachableand very competitive.”

Leggett’s latest edition finished 28-5, earning him The DAILYLEADER’s 2005 All-Star Slowpitch Softball Coach of the Year honor.His girls finished 27-12 in 2004.

For Leggett, 30, his team’s march through Division 7-1A and theSouth Mississippi playoffs was impressive. They didn’t lose aplayoff game until North champion Myrtle swept them two straight inthe state finals.

“I coach in a very supportive community,” said Leggett, a 1993Bogue Chitto graduate. “Our principal, Mr. Bill McGehee, is verysupportive. Our athletic director, Gareth Sartin, and the wholecoaching staff support our softball program.”

His wife, Denise, is a former softball standout herself, goingback to her days at Loyd Star.

“I’m thankful to have Denise as a wife and assistant coach,”said Leggett. “People don’t see what all she does for the teambehind the scene. She loves the girls and they love her.”

Their 9-month-old daughter, Alyssa, recently got her firsttooth. She’s projected as a future softball star, too.

This year’s team was exceptional. Only one starter was a senior,MVP shortstop Meleah Brown.

“We lost four starters off of last year’s team,” Leggett pointedout. “I had to have four new ones step up. They did a goodjob.”

Newcomers to BC’s starting lineup were freshman Kelli Howard inleft field, and three sophomores, catcher Shaquille Burton, rightfielder Kaitlyn Owen and third baseman Jessie Miller.

Five juniors usually were in BC’s lineup. They included CandaceAvants in left-center, Chelsey Miller in right-center, Dori Hall atfirst base, Devon Welch at second base and LaToya Braxton atpitcher, plus courtesy runner Kim Thomas.

Leggett graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College andSouthern Miss. He had visions of becoming a sports trainer butwound up teaching and coaching. He also played softball everysummer for a variety of teams, among them Calvary BaptistChurch.

“I learn something every summer playing slowpitch softball,”said Leggett. He used to play the outfield. Now he playscatcher.

Leggett has a knack for placing players in the correct position,most suitable for their skills. “You watch the girls play softballand you can see what their strength is.”

He put rookie sophomore Shaquille Burton at catcher when sheasked to try out for the varsity team. She responded with aflawless defensive performance this season.

“Shaquille didn’t make an error the whole year,” saidLeggett.

At Bogue Chitto, Leggett coaches slowpitch and fastpitch, twototally different games, especially on offense. “Slowpitch helpsyou get better defensively for fastpitch because everybody hits theball.

“I love slowpitch,” he added. “I still play it myself.”

Looking to the future, Leggett said fastpitch softball practicebegins Jan. 1. His team won’t start the season until March 1. Mostof his players are on the basketball team.

Leggett’s Lady ‘Cats should be strong on the fastpitch diamond,too.