With the help of new coaches Tyler Bui and Jude Ferraro, Souderton softball hopes to help create solid connections and radiate good energy in this upcoming spring season.
Souderton softball head coach Tyler Bui and assistant coach Jude Ferraro are long-time friends and have previously been coaching associates for multiple teams.
According to Ferraro, this helps them effectively coach together because they “not only have a similar approach to our coaching style but also a great friendship on and off the field.”
Not only do the two coaches have a good past experience, but the girls on the team know and get along with each other as well.
According to pitcher Cora Richy, communicating and having a life outside of softball is what makes a team cohesive.
“We have a connection which makes it so much easier to play with each other,” Richy said.
For outfielder Caylee DeSimone, without a “friendly atmosphere,” you cannot have a good team. “You don’t want to be around people that are always down and don’t cheer for you,” DeSimone said.
According to Ferraro, “With this group [of girls], it will be really easy [to coach] because you can see and feel the passion they have not only for the game, but also for just being around each other.”
Ferraro also believes his job will be easy because of the “positive energy” in the team that is “infectious.”
According to Richy, the thing that gets her excited about games is all of her teammates.
“The fact that we get along automatically makes me more excited to play,” Richy said. The top thing Bui looks for in a player at tryouts would be being a team player, while Ferraro, on the other hand, looks for “attitude, effort and energy.”
“There are a lot of talented players, but it is the player that brings out those qualities who stands out at practice, in the game and honestly, in life,” Ferraro said.
According to Ferraro, “A strong bond on and off the field and truly feeling like they are a family” is what makes a good team.
Ferraro also feels that team culture is important.
“Teams that I have coached or been around that were good teams all had a great culture,” Ferraro said, “where the players did what was best for the team to succeed, sometimes even sacrificing their individual goals or successes for the good of the team.”
Ferrario also said that additionally you get the, “best [playing] out of your players by building a strong team culture and a positive environment.”
Both coaches would like their players to be good, serving members of the community at all times, not just when playing softball.