Bogue Chitto softball coach Scott Leggett recently completed hiswork on a Master’s Degree in secondary education at William CareyCollege. Leggett already has a degree in softball success, leadinghis Lady ‘Cats to a third consecutive appearance in the Class 1Astate championship finals and a 30-4 record.

Leggett, 31, has been selected The DAILY LEADER’s 2006 SlowpitchSoftball Coach for a third straight year. He is a 1993 Bogue Chittograduate and is quite familiar with his alma mater’s strongathletic tradition.

“Our girls have a tradition to uphold,” said Leggett. “They arededicated to achieving success.”

In his third year at BC’s helm, Leggett and his wife, DeniseWarren Leggett, coach the Lady ‘Cats. They have a 22-month olddaughter, Alyssa; and are expecting their second child in May.

This year’s squad excelled again. They roared through the stateplayoffs and met Ingomar in the title test, losing two straightgames to the Lady Falcons. In 2004, they had lost to Ingomar in thetitle series.

“Ingomar is the best team we’ve played in state in three years,”said Leggett. “They hit the ball with power. We lost to a greatteam.”

Leggett said this year’s edition has matched the 3-straightfinals appearances achieved by the BC teams from 1997-99. Theystill are seeking that elusive state title.

This year, the Lady ‘Cats were led by six seniors, five of themstarters. They included left fielder Chelsey Miller, left-centerfield Candace Avants, pitcher LaToya Braxton, first baseman DoriHall, second baseman Devon Welch and courtesy runner KimThomas.

“I hate to lose those seniors,” said Leggett. “They provided alot of leadership for us. They were exceptional in the field and atthe plate.”

Looking ahead, Leggett had three junior starters returning in2007, plus a promising group of younger players. “We should havesome ninth graders starting next year. They have a lot ofpotential.”

He begins fastpitch practice the first week of January.

“I enjoy coaching,” said Leggett. “As Iong as I have players whowant to win.

“I’m proud to be at Bogue Chitto,” he added. “We have a goodfollowing of fans. They follow us on the road. Bogue Chitto lovesall sports, no matter what kind of ball it is.”

His wife, Denise, coaches first base while he coaches third.Obviously, it is a winning combination.

Both are teachers at Bogue Chitto. His busy classroom scheduleincludes American Government, Economics, United States History II,Psychology and Advanced Geography.

In his spare time, Leggett enjoys playing summer softball. Heand his wife are in the midst of building a house, too.

A Southern Miss graduate, Leggett also graduated fromCopiah-Lincoln Community College and attended Louisiana StateUniversity.

Asked to compare slowpitch to fastpitch, Leggett said slowpitchis easy. “It is a game of hitting. Defense is a key to a team’ssuccess. You’ve got to be able to make plays on defense.”

In recent years, there have been some rumblings about theMississippi High School Activities Association discontinuingslowpitch competition. The Magnolia State is the only state stillsanctioning slowpitch as a high school sport.

Leggett believes slowpitch will continue to flourish. “There’s alot of interest in slowpitch. Attendance at our games istremendous, especially during the playoffs.”

Judging from BC’s level of success, the sport should continueprospering.