The month of December to most of BHS’s students is filled with spending time out in the snow, with family, and taking time to relax. But that is not the case for Blaine High School’s softball team. Blaine’s softball players are starting to get their new cleats and batting gloves for indoor tryouts, batting cages, and skills clinics. This year though, there a few new changes.
One of the changes for the team this year is that they have a new Varsity coach, Don Bross. “My first priority is to bring back the pride in being a Blaine Bengal softball player. As an alumnus of Blaine I feel very strongly in school spirit. It is an honor to be a Bengal. We will work hard on and off the field trying to become the best ball players and coaches that we can.” Said Bross. Maya Johnson (12) has been on the team all four years of high school, “[I hope the season will be] a learning and development season with new coaches, especially going into college. But also fun with some W’s of course.”said Maya.
“We will be working on the basics of softball…Catching, pitching, fielding, base running and hitting. Our goal is to not rely on 1 big inning but instead to score a run or 2 at a time with the occasional big inning.” Said coach Bross about what he will be teaching the girls. Maggie Brodeen (12) said, “I wish to see that everyone in the program has fun but under the circumstances of making themselves a better player.” When asked how she wishes the program would be changed. “I hope the coaches push us harder and teach us more this year so that we can do better as a team and that we can have a better record this year so we can continue to improve as a program.” Said Kalli Doyle (9) about what she hopes the season will be like.
“…having all the girls together again, team bonding and seeing the new ways we can improve most importantly.” is what Brodeen is looking forward to the most. Johnson has a lot to say about softball but some of her advice to the underclassmen is, “Make sure you have fun and enjoy the short seasons while they last. But work hard too. Always try to improve your game and play hard.” “I hope the coaches push us harder and teach us more this year so that we can do better as a team and that we can have a better record this year so we can continue to improve as a program.” said Doyle.