Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023:
*****
THE FINAL PITCH: ISSIE COKER
Uncommitted 2025 C/UT Issie Coker recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Impact Gold 2025 National-Cassatta, Parklane Academy, Mississippi softball players, Brookhaven Academy, Faith, future college, giving back, math, Yadier Molina, The Bible, KB, “All American” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Issie Coker
Hometown: Pricedale, MS
High School: Parklane Academy
Club Team: Impact Gold 2025 National-Cassatta 16U
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: C/UT
Nickname: “Big Iss” (was) given to me by coaches when I was younger and stood a foot taller than the other girls my age.
Twitter: @IssieCoker_hits
Honors: 2nd Team District 1 5A All-Conference (2020); 1st Team District 1 6A All-MAIS; 1st Team District 1 6A All-Conference (2021); All-MAIS Pre-Season “Top 20” Team (2022); 2022 All-MAIS Pre-Season Fast Pitch Softball Team (2022); Preseason Fastpitch All-MAIS (2023); MAIS Fastpich Futures Team (2022); and MAIS Fastpitch Futures Team (2023).
Travel Ball Summer Stats: .345 AVG, .486 OBP, .638 SLG, 4 HRS, 17 RBIs, 15 BBs and 5 Ks.
High School Stats (so far): .500 AVG, .614 OBP, 1.031 SLG, 9 HRs, 17 RBIs, 15 BBs and 3 Ks.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Early on in travel ball, I played with some really great coaches, but I was drawn to Impact Gold-Cassatta due to the coaching staff. I knew they would push me to be better. The head of the Impact Gold organization, Coach Jazz (Jackson Vesely), takes interest in getting players to the next level.
Tell us about your high school team and how you are doing? My high school team is amazing. We have an unbreakable bond and we play as one. The encouragement amongst teammates is next level. No one carries a burden alone.
What makes Mississippi softball players different/special? Softball is growing in Mississippi. Mississippi hasn’t always been recognized as a hot spot for softball talent, but we have some real gems here.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? Brookhaven Academy has been a tough one this year. It’s a local rivalry with great competition and both times we have played them this year it has come down to a single run.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I am who I am today because of my faith. God blessed me with a talent and I work hard on and off the field to allow others to see him through me.
What are you looking for in a future college? I’m looking for a place like home where i’m surrounded by people who support me on and off the field.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I haven’t decided what I want to do as a career, but I do know it will involve helping others and giving back to my community.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Math. I’m not really sure why it’s my favorite, but it has always been the easiest for me.
Who is your sports hero and why? Yadier Molina. He is a nine-time Gold Glove-winning catcher and 10-time All-Star. I used to watch YouTube videos of him throwing out runners on the way to my games.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? The Bible. I’m not a cover-to-cover reader, but I read to find inspiration and to process situations.
What’s the best hype song and why? “I Am Not The One” by KB. It is my hype song because not only does it have an awesome beat, but it is also a Christian song (and) talks about knowing who you are no matter what people say.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? “All American” because it is so real.
What’s your favorite movie and why? “Pirates of the Caribbean” because it’s a good Disney adventure.
*****
HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
*****
BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
Ezra: #Ahsoka just told me you willingly helped Thrawn return
Sabine: pic.twitter.com/7KWRhnZyHV
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) September 20, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Instagram @los_stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
