Standout Chickasaw athlete Kobi Crossley signs with USAO

This article appeared in the December 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

NEWCASTLE, Okla. – The 4A Oklahoma State Champion Girls Fast-Pitch Coach leaned on equipment in the weight room and waited.

Mike Crossley is patient.

After all, a film crew was there interviewing the only senior to graduate off the state championship team. It just happens to be his niece, Kobi.

The Racers’ third baseman was named First Team All-State; First Team All-Region; First Team All-Conference and Infielder of the Year for Oklahoma Class 4A girls’ softball. She was being interviewed just prior to signing a national letter of intent Nov. 5 to play for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, in Chickasha.

“We’ll be tough next year and I am making a schedule that will test our ability to overcome adversity throughout the entire season,” Coach Crossley said. The 2015 schedule will feature teams as tough as his team. No patsies allowed.

A small grin crossed his face when asked if his cellphone has been ringing with overtures from other schools.

“Yes,” he says quietly. “I have no intention of leaving Newcastle. I love it here.”

‘WARRIORING’ ON

For 27 years, Mr. Crossley has been coaching at this growing community in the triangle of Oklahoma City, Moore and Norman. Twenty-two times he has led the girls’ softball team into post- season state tournament action. Until this year, his teams have never won the championship.

Kobi Crossley predicted on social media this year would be the state championship year for Newcastle. Kobi, who has played in four state tournaments, could see the disappointment in her uncle’s eyes over not bringing a state title home in 21 appearances.

“He tried not to show it,” she said. “For those closest to him, though, it was impossible to hide. I knew this was going to be our year. I could just feel it.”

The title was not handed to the Racers on a silver platter.

The team advanced through the losers’ bracket. Even a novice can tell you that’s the most difficult way to win a title. Twice the Racers were down going into the final innings. Yet somehow they mustered the hits and runs needed to continue the quest. Finally, it was between perennial contender Fort Gibson and Newcastle for the coveted title. Newcastle breezed to a state championship, 3-0.

ON TO COLLEGE

Kobi, whom her uncle says is the “most naturally talented (athlete) with intuitive brilliance” he has ever coached, is headed to USAO on a full softball scholarship. She will be nurtured and coached by former Newcastle pitcher Jadyn Smith-Wallis, who also is Chickasaw.

Other universities came courting, but Kobi knew almost immediately she was bound for Chickasha. Ms. Smith-Wallace not only played for her uncle, she also served as a Newcastle Racers pitching coach when Kobi began playing high school softball.

“Kobi deserves it,” Mr. Crossley said. “She has worked hard and has earned it.”

With a cake, pizza and cookies to consume, about 100 students crammed into a room on the second-floor of Newcastle’s field house to congratulate Kobi and give her a big send-off even though it will not be until May she marches to “Pomp and Circumstance” to get her diploma.

She will concentrate on core classes during her first two years of college, but will look to psychology as a major and perhaps a career … that is unless a high school softball coaching job opens up.