Soledad softball

 The Aztecs didn't want to do this.

 But in the mind of long time head softball coach Joel Ramirez, he had no choice.

 With a handful of his starters unable to play in a make-up game this Saturday, the Aztecs will be forced to forfeit its game with Carmel.

 Ramirez didn't want to bring up JV players to fill the spots because he just felt they weren't ready for the varsity level. Sports isn't about embarrassing kids.

 This game had previously been postponed to accommodate Carmel, who was on spring break two weeks ago.

 Apparently there was a miscommunication with administration at Soledad, as Ramirez never agreed to the date.

 Some of his players have religious commitments Saturday. This game should have been postponed again. It's setting a bad precedent by the school that sports isn't important.

 Let me remind administrators that sports is an extension of the classroom. Sports keeps kids active and motivated. It trickles down to the classroom.

 Plus you just handed a win to a team that is chasing a championship. I'm not sure that will sit well with opposing teams in the title hunt.