Milliman named Outlaw softball coach

A new softball era begins later this month when Jim Milliman takes over the Sisters High School softball program.

This will be Milliman's first high school coaching job; however, the Redmond resident has coached Amateur Softball Association and Little League softball teams for several years. Milliman has held coaching positions with the Redmond Blaze, the Central Oregon VooDoo, The Oregon Mystique and the Oregon Eliminators (Gresham). His coaching experience has ranged from under-10 to under-18 age groups.

"Though I've not coached high school before, I am very comfortable coaching and am looking forward to working with the girls I've watched play for a couple of years," Milliman said. "I'm looking forward to working with the talent my predecessor did a fine job building."

Milliman said he definitely likes to play a "fast and aggressive style of softball." But first were a list full of administrative things to deal with.

The new coach said that Dawn Cooper, who has assisted the last three years, will return again this season

"She is a great asset," he said. "Continuity is important."

Ben Miller has been hired to coach the junior varsity team.

Milliman said his immediate plans were to call a team meeting and start looking for some gym opportunities to get in some pre-season workouts.

"We're a bit under the gun timewise, but are looking forward to getting things going," said Milliman. "And we have some field issues to deal with."

His first look at his potential squad will be February 28, when practice begins. The Outlaws open the season March 16 versus Bend's Mountain View High

School.

Milliman will have plenty to work with. The 2010 Outlaws were co-champions of the Sky-Em (11-1), 22-6 overall and ended the season ranked 4th in the final 4A Top 10 Poll. 

The 2011 Outlaws should again be a title contender for the new-look Sky-Em League's spring season. The Outlaws lost only three players from that impressive 2010 team and return first-team All-State infielder Amber Milliman, daughter of the new coach. Amber set single-season school records with 39 runs batted in and 15 doubles. Both those marks were also state bests among 4A teams in 2010.

Senior outfielder Marissa Calavan was a first-team all-leaguer and collected 40 base hits in 2010. Two other returnees with all-league honorable mention recognition are senior infielder Mckenzie Cooper and sophomore Harley Rowe.

Also returning are 2010 starters Cassie Hernandez (senior infield/catcher), Taylor Neiri (sophomore utility) and Carly Kreminski, who as a sophomore pitched, played third and outfield. Hernandez drove in 25 runs in 24 games.

In 2010, the Outlaws scored 245 runs in 28 games. Only state champion Cascade - in one more game - scored more runs with 246.

Gone from the 2010 Sky-Em are Marist and Pleasant Hill. Marist moved up to 5A and Pleasant Hill dropped to 3A. New to the league this year is Sweet Home. The Outlaws beat Sweet Home twice last season.

Milliman replaces four-year coach Tom Mauldin, who said the wear and tear of field work, fundraising and lengthy bus trips took its toll. Miller replaces two-year JV coach Russell Bellew, who moved from the area. The Outlaws JVs also won the 2010 Sky-Em JV title and won 19 of 21 games on the season.