Many athletes grow up playing a sport and end up on the same team with the same people every year, not only in growing up but also in skill. A team’s chemistry is a pedestal that shows the skill the players have worked hard to gain.
“When someone from the outside transfers in, it could cause animosity,” said teacher and coach Olivia Scott. “It depends on the circumstances, but as a coach, I’ve got to make sure I’m leading my team in the right direction.”
Having to decide who will stay and get cut from a group of talented softball players is a tough decision, especially after getting to know the player through workouts. Without knowing whether or not you will have a varsity team, it can sound deceiving to the players when complimenting their technique or teaching them how to improve.
“Basketball has kept me from going to the Softball workouts,” said Tameya Thomas. “The coaches don’t know me, and I’m rusty,”
As a freshman, trying to play on a high school team can be intimidating. Before tryouts, there’s “workouts.” They are a chance to show your capabilities, practice more, and build a bond with your teammates and coaches. By the time workouts end, coaches already have an idea of who they want on their teams. Without going to the workouts, you end up being a curveball, not only to the team but to the coaches as well.
Being a curveball isn’t always a bad thing; it gives you a chance to make a good first impression. New players can come into tryouts with confidence or shy nerves. A confident approach can be perceived as cocky or aggressive, many returners would begin to question their authority. An apprehensive approach could lead to a bad representation of your personality, and how well you would mesh with the current players.
“We have a pretty close-knit team,” said Scott. “Our team’s little inside joke is Coach Jimmy’s cell phone going off at practice. We end up tallying it and he has to do something silly that many times.”
With a group of girls that see each other every day for months, there tend to be inside jokes and lots of fun memories that newer players wouldn’t understand. Of course, the new players would catch on and have opportunities to have a good time with the team, that they won’t be able to forget. With fun memories, come the more serious rules.
“After away games, we all ride the bus home together,” said Scott. “A lot of people want to ride home with their families, but I use it as bonding time and the girls have fun either way, win or lose.”
From adjusting to the team’s dynamic to learning more about the game, you can be overwhelmed very easily, however, if you accept the process, an upperclassman could take you under their wing and show you all the ropes. After the first few practices you’ll be great, promise.
“I was terrified last year, playing on varsity as a freshman,” said sophomore Ginger Rodgers. “But these girls make the team feel like a family”
