Metro Sports Report

The end of an era

I was surprised, but not shocked when I heard that long-time Jefferson Coach Larry Niemeyer was not going to be coming back next season to coach softball for the J-Hawks.

I was also saddened.

Whether you agree or disagree with the decision made by Jefferson Principal Chuck McDonnell, or the method by which Niemeyer found out his fate, one thing is for certain. His disappearance from the sidelines and the dugout means the end of an era.

It's the end of an era in many ways. First for Jefferson High School. Coach Niemeyer first coached at Jefferson in 1978. Think about that. It's several years before the parents of many of the seniors in the Class of 2012 had graduated.

He spanned an era with the J-Hawks, coaching with the top names of the school's glory years such as Jack Fisk, Bob Ask and so many others. He saw many highs and lows on the west side, but one thing was a certainty, his J-Hawk teams played the game the right way. And they usually won. They won three softball titles and one basketball championship. Many other teams were close as well.

Niemeyer deserved more than phone call

Something just doesn’t smell quite right over on the southwest side, up there on the hill.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson Principal Chuck McDonnell has fired the winningest high school softball coach in the United States ... with a phone call to him. Larry Niemeyer was removed of his duties in a call from McDonnell last week.

You saw the same thing happen at Penn State months ago when football coach Joe Paterno was fired ... in a phone call.

Is that the way we do business these days?

Niemeyer, 74, coached softball at Jefferson for 35 seasons and none of them resulted in a losing season (the worst: 25-22). He took the J-Hawks to 18 state tournament appearances and three state championships. With his years at Adel, he has won 2,089 games.

Niemeyer needed to be saved from himself

Some people walk away.

Others run.

It's only a select few coaches that last long enough in the profession to be considered among the all-time greats.

Larry Niemeyer coached high school basketball and softball for 52 years, the last 35 at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

His teams won 871 basketball games and he is the winningest softball coach in the nation with 2,089 victories.

But earlier this week Niemeyer said he was told by Jefferson Principal Chuck McDonnell that his services were no longer needed.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Did  not play Tuesday in Boston's 2-1 win at Texas. Year to date -- BA - .267, AB - 195, R - 22, H - 52, RBI - 14, 2B - 18, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Monday and was 1-for-4 in the Loons' 3-0 loss at Beloit. Scott is 10-for-23 in his last five games, boosting his average 11 points. Year to date -- BA - .268, AB - 377, R - 50, H - 101, RBI - 51, 2B - 27, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Started at third base in both games Tuesday and was 1-for-6 with a double and run scored as Vancouver split a doubleheader with Eugene. Vancouver totals -- BA - .183, AB - 120, R - 18, H - 22, RBI - 15, 2B - 7, 3B - 0, HR - 2, SB - 1.