It is the smell of the grass, the swirling of the dust and the crack of the bat that all signal the start of America's favorite pastime: baseball. Even with the enduring popularity of baseball, girls' fastpitch has nipped at baseball's heels for the last few years. "I think in the days when [there was] baseball [and] slowpitch there were differences, but since they've switched to fastpitch they're similar. The ball is coming in as fast, but the bases are different and one pitcher is closer. It's very similar in the way plays are made and the strategies," said Athletic Director Don Conway.
The players of the boys' varsity baseball team and girls' fastpitch team feel they have started out on the right foot. The players show a positive attitude and are ambitious to play. "I think we're doing pretty good. We have good juniors and a good class of seniors. Our teams are better this year. Last year we were young and we're more experienced [now] because of summer baseball, and the older players are starting to step up," said junior Jason Van Rooy, varsity player.
Teammate and sophomore Tim Brown adds to that. "We have a lot of great athletes," said Brown.
During the 1997 season, the teams' athleticism and hardwork resulted in 3rd in state for the girls. The boys didn't have as good of luck; it was more or less a building season for the team. However, they are expected to shine through this year. "They're capable of doing good too, but I don't know what the problem is. They got a lot of talent. They've played summer ball too. They know what the competition is like," said senior Amber Aselton, a varsity fastpitch player.
This year's athleticism, long term focus, and experience may help both teams towards a possible berth to districts and even state. But for now, the teams plan on concentrating on developing their skills and working hard in practice. "If we concentrate good enough then we're likely to make it to state," said Van Rooy.
Aselton agrees that the girls' team has the experience and capability to go to state. "We should [make it to state]. We're capable of it. We should all stick together like a team should," said Aselton.
Fastpitch varsity player Jenica Spogen, a junior, states that practice is a time to be serious. Without good practices, the team would not be able to accomplish their tasks. "We cheer and we try and we work real hard during practice. In practice we work hard because perfect practice makes perfect, not practice makes perfect," said Spogen.
One difference between the two games is the mentality of preparing as well as the degree of relaxation during the game. Junior JV baseball player Derek Folger, said, "Girls get more into it than the guys. They have their little cheers Ôgo team go.' Guys go out to play and win, not to have spirit."
But for both, the competition level of the opposing team determines theamount of preparation for a game. Aselton said,"If we know it's going to be a tough game, we really prepare for it, but if we know it's going to be an easy game then the girls relax more."
Fans not only agree that the girls' teams have more spirit, but some enjoy watching it more because of the cheers. "Softball is more fun to watch because they're entertaining. They cheer and get into it. Guys just sit and glare at the opposing team," said junior Justin Charlton.
Even if some feel that baseball isn't as enjoyable to watch, the players feel that regardless, they have a job to do and they're going to do it with quality. "We just focus on the team. We get out there and play the game and play the way we can," said junior Tommy Debinski.
Fans and players alike believe that when it's time for business, they're going to work. But on the flip side, some feel that because of the possible different attitudes of guys and girls towards the game, people need to view the sport through the same window. "Girls are always getting dogged for cheering and all that, but baseball and softball are the same because they function on the same basic strategies. Who cares if the guys have smaller balls? That's just an excuse for losing," said freshman Brian Silcox.
Raquel Carss, also a freshman and c-team fastpitch member, feels that baseball players stereotype girls. "Guys who say softball is inferior to baseball are just ignorant. They don't know because they've never played or watched softball. Girls play softball to play, not for the money or what they can get out of it. I like baseball, but guys get so much more credit than girls," said Carss.
Even with the mixed opinions about the similarities and differences of the sports, the general consensus comes up even; people play the sport not just for the personal satisfaction, but because they love it. Junior Lucas Marx sums it up. "We love the game. We get to play a game that we love to play so it makes it a lot easier to play," said Marx.
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