A new year comes with new goals and rejuvenated ambitions. With this resurgence of determination, the girls hooping to be part of the softball team get ready for tryouts.
“This softball season is gonna be the best year yet; there are a lot more strong players coming in than I thought,” senior Kayleigh Shumsky said.
Old and new faces could be seen across the softball field during conditioning, which started Jan. 5.
Conditioning consisted of dynamic warm ups such as jogging, calf stretches, abdominal workouts, base runs and catching/throwing practice. Although not mandatory, conditioning is meant to prepare players for tryouts and also serves as an opportunity to bond with one another.
“Conditioning is a time for us to get together and know each other; it helps us get back into playing together,” sophomore Adriana Garip said.
Tryouts were supposed to begin Jan. 12, but due to heavy storms they will begin Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 3 p.m.
Freshmen, trying out the first time in a high school setting, are excited to expand their softball experience. Freshman Rachel Carroll, a part of the softball travel team Hatters Gold, began playing softball at age 7.
“I am looking forward to getting used to new positions and getting to know the girls on the team,” Carroll said.
For some players, softball is not just a sport, but a way of life.
“I’ve been playing softball since I was little; it’s kind of like eating, I couldn’t live without it,” sophomore Kelsi Smith said.
With Robin Bradford’s 27th year of coaching, and Ciara McCoy and Kayleigh Shumsky selected as the team captains, former team members are ready to improve upon their previous year’s performance (16-8-1).
“Every new year of softball is exciting, it is kind of like starting a new school year,” Bradford said.
After the team is officially picked out, their main objective is to return to districts and make their way up to the regional championship, curtailing their main rival, West Orange High School.