Both Coffeyville and Independence Community College will have something to prove next month when the junior college football season comes around. On Friday, football coaches from around the Jayhawk Conference gathered at Newman University for KJCCC/ICCAC Media Day, where a preseason poll predicted the Red Ravens to finish fifth while predicting a sixth place finish for the Pirates. Last year's league runner-up, Hutchinson Community College, was picked as the eventual winner. The full predictions can be seen below, with last season's records:

1. Hutchinson (9-3)
2. Butler (8-4)
3. Garden City (10-1)
4. Highland (6-4)
5. Coffeyville (6-5)
6. Independence (2-8)
7. Dodge City (2-9)
8. Fort Scott (2-8)

With the end of July coming up so approaches the MLB trade deadline. Teams with expectations for the playoffs will look to add pieces to get them to the World Series and teams who are rebuilding are looking to unload players as they prepare for the future. The Royals, who are a team preparing for the future, have already made two trades prior to the deadline. KC sent Starting Pitcher Homer Bailey to the A's for Oakland's 17^th ranked prospect Infielder Kevin Merrell. Then last night the Royal's sent starting Catcher Martin Maldonado to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for pitcher Mike Montgomery.

Montgomery, who was originally drafted by the Royals in 2008, hasn't had a great 2019 but has a below 4 ERA for his career in 472 innings pitched. The 30 year old should be much need help for a struggling pitching staff.

Come cheer on the future of Coffeyville baseball and softball as they compete in the SEK All-Star Tournament, starting later this week. Coffeyville's All-Stars will be taking on teams from all over Southeast Kansas, including Caney, Independence, Iola, Neodesha, Ft. Scott, Chanute, Altamont, Parsons, and Thayer.

Tournaments begin as early as this Thursday, with the 10U Baseball All-Star Tournament being held in Coffeyville at Wheeler Field.  A full list of teams, dates, times, and locations can be found here.

The Kansas City Royals will have at least one player representing them at this year's MLB All-Star Game. Whit Merrifield was selected as a reserve at second base behind DJ LeMahieu of the New York Yankees. Merrifield joins the team after being selected in a process that was determined by both a player’s vote and input from the MLB Commissioner’s office. He's hit for a .301 average this year, adding 11 home runs and 11 steals, he is currently second in the majors in hits behind LeMahieu after leading the leauge in hits last year. Joining LeMahieu and Merrifield at the second base position will be Tomma La Stella of the Los Angeles Angels.  This is Merrifield's first All Star Game selection.

Royals third baseman Hunter Dozier was not named to this year's roster despite a breakout season, being passed over in the same process that named Merrifield to the team and also losing the online vote to Houston's Alex Bregman.

The All-Star game will take place on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland.