From the editor

It takes a village to make a sports page.

I’ve been doing the page for about two years, ever since Rik Forschmiedt retired after long service to the sports community.

Actually, he’s not really retired, as you may notice: There are two of his photographs on this page, and he’s a fixture at high school sporting events.

But we can’t and don’t rely only on him to provide images of the crucial moments in Vashon athletic contests. Also capturing those moments and helping the sports news get out to the Island is a wonderful group of volunteer parents.

Indeed, without those parents, there would be no sports page. Usually they are parents whose offspring are involved in sports on Vashon, and that’s a great motivator.

I’m thinking of people like Charlie Pieterick, whose son Chris plays basketball and baseball. Charlie’s been writing about both sports, and he’s in the Forschmiedt league: He rides his motorcycle to away games.

I’m grateful, too, to Rita and Larry Allman, who have been devoted photographers and reporters about baseball; Mitch Treese and Michelle Stearns, who are volleyball fanatics; Mary Kay Rauma for her football pieces; Carl Blomgren for his thoughts on wrestling; and Kevin Ross for cross country and track.

I want to give all sports essentially equal treatment, and I need help, from parents, from anyone interested, in reporting on tennis and soccer and golf and softball. I need words and pictures.

Please contact me at sports@vashonbeachcomber.com.