In all my years covering softball, I can’t think of an all-area team where a pitcher wasn’t player of the year. Last year it was Bonita’s Chloe Wurst, year before that Glendora’s Dana Waldusky, before that Los Altos’ Diana Lynn-Patterson, and so forth.
In four years at the Star-News, a pitcher won every year too, mainly because pitchers, who can pitch every game, have an unbelievable impact on the success of a team. Although still true, pitchers are not nearly as dominant, which has opened the player of the year discussion to several outside the circle.
You can agree or disagree, but the player of the year chase could be anyone with playoffs having a big impact on final decisions. But to this point, if you were filling out first team all-area, 12 spots and a coach, how would it look?

Softball First Team?
Coach of the year:
Player of the year:
Pitcher:
Pitcher:
Catcher:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Utility: