BREESE, IL -- Chase Wise, a 2020 graduate of Central High School, has recently signed her NJCAA Letter of Intent to continue her education and softball career at Kaskaskia College.  The senior catcher is locally known for launching softballs over fences and gunning down baserunners. Her addition sets up an interesting position battle for Coach John Barnes, but one that he welcomes and believes will benefit the program. Chase is undecided on her major, but will bring a 4.14/4.0 GPA to the program. She is the daughter of Renae Ramsey of Beckemeyer and Trevor and Jamie Wise of Greenville.

Aside from receiving/blocking skills and a rifle for an arm, the catcher position is best employed by an athlete that possesses the duanting ability to "control" the game. A catcher will tactfully control her pitcher, her defense, her emotions, the baserunners, and the situation. All the while, with split second reactions, the intelligence and voice of a general, the grit of a linebacker, and the precision of an artist. Perhaps the most influencial position on the field.  A team with a good catcher is a good team.  A team with a great catcher is even better.  The Blue Angels have plans to be the best, so why not recruit the best, especially at such an important position on the field.  Chase will provide levels of everything listed, but so will the others. So, what makes Chase different?  Maybe time will tell, but for now, she is going to bring one of the best power bats in the area, arguably in all of Illinois. Plus she has the strong will to achieve, which is clearly evident in the way she controls her life off the field. With her impressive GPA, she has earned her way in the National Honor Society and has been recognized as an Illinois State Scholar. She serves as the Vice President of the Student Council and the President of Spanish Club. She is also a member of the Pit Crew and the Partnership of College and Career Success. All this and she still has time to play the bassoon in the band.

Coach Barnes is more than impressed with everything the all-conference catcher has to offer.  "When it comes right down to it, who do you want policing your team? It is said that a team's identity reflects its leadership. Of course the coach is part of that equation, but the catcher is also a contributing factor.  That is why it is important for both to be on the same page.  I am gonna figure out which catchers will best resemble my mentallity and build off that.  I see alot of similarities in Chase's game and my approach.  She is a hard-nosed, no-excuse type of player and I appreciate that. It also helps that she drops bombs...alot. But it is her attention to detail and thoroughness that is the most impressive.  I mean look at the kind of student she is.  We didn't just sign a great ballplayer, but the school just got the complete package." 

Seated (l-r): Jamie Wise (step-mother), Trevor Wise (father), Chase Wise (#17), Renae Ramsey (mother)

Standing (l-r):  Ryan Ketchum (CHS Principal), John Barnes  (KC coach), Gigi Kohrmann (CHS coach), Dr. Dustin Foutch (Superintendent)