Fort Calhoun softball builds bonds through camp

Pioneers had 4 sessions this week

Posted

The Fort Calhoun softball campers gathered under the ballfield shelter at the end of Tuesday morning's session.
It's where pitcher Katie Barta talked herself into the idea of going out for breakfast. Her high school teammates thought it was a good idea, provided the soon-to-be senior foot the bill.
“Oh, I'm there,” coach Mandy Taylor said, playing along.
The Pioneers covered communication, fundamentals and softball strategy four days this week — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and today — during their annual summer camp. It was the first led by Taylor, a former FCHS assistant who is taking over head coaching duties from Ginger Appel this upcoming, fall season.
“It's nice to come together and see what everybody's capabilities are and decide from there what our strategies will be,” the new coach said.
Like with many high school squads, the Pioneers play on separate summer softball teams. Camps are a chance for them to come all together officially before the first day of practice in August.
“We're pretty spread out otherwise,” Taylor said. “And, so, I think its pretty important to be on the same page.”
Fort Calhoun came together through fundamental work Monday and Tuesday. The team also set strategies for bunt situations, offensively and defensively.
Then, the Pioneers sat down for some team-building under the ballfield shelter. First, Taylor asked Sophie Thomas to share her thoughts on the importance on communication.
Fundamentals were covered again before the “senior plan” was instituted. The Fort Calhoun ballplayers randomly picked team sisters, a pairing between a single upperclassmen and underclassmen. These bonds, the Pioneers hope, build chemistry on and off the diamond going into the fall season.

Fort Calhoun Softball