In order to build upon the softball team’s relationships on and off the field, the team is recognizing the various dynamics and dualities within the team that make their success possible.
As the softball season continues, the girls’ softball team is utilizing the friendships they have built during and outside of the season to their advantage.
Many of the team members believe that their communication is a tool that they believe to be a key factor in their success.
“Everyone on the team is friends with each other, and a lot of us have friendships outside of the sport that help us connect on the field and especially communicate properly,” junior Cora Richter said.
According to Coach Tyler Bui, without a communicative team and a willingness to be selfless, the team would lack what it needs to reach its full potential.
“The most important thing for our team to function effectively is that everyone needs to have a team concept,” Bui said. “We need players that will be able to sacrifice for the good of others and for the team.”
Although communication is vital to any good team, it must be maintained throughout each portion of the game.
“Defensively, you need to have communication for plays to be made. You can’t play softball with one person; you need a team,” junior Caylee DeSimone said.
Just as it is important for the team to stay consistent in their communication on defense, they are applying the same logic to their offense.
“Our team is very talented on the offensive end,” senior Elizabeth Shurtz said. “What sets our team apart is our ability to rotate our girls. Everyone on the team knows how to play multiple positions and is always up to learn more.”
According to Bui, the team’s greatest strength stems from this well-balanced depth between “both offensively and defensively with our pitching.”
The team’s acknowledgment of their versatility and duality is also what fuels their confidence and positive mindsets.
Each player has their own position, which “has different duties for different plays and situations,” Richter said. “Knowing what your job is and helping others out with their own responsibilities goes a long way.”
According to Bui, the successes and failures within the team depend on how selfless each player is and how willing they are to sacrifice something smaller to achieve a much larger goal.
“These are the little selfless things that teams need to become great,” Bui said.
For DeSimone, knowing that each of her teammates shares her common goal is a great motivator. “The Souderton softball team is truly a family,” DeSimone said. “We have grown so close to each other and all have the same goal. We are willing to put in our all and that’s all that matters.”
The team plans on using last year’s season as fuel to ignite their positive attitude and confidence throughout the season.
“Souderton is now established as a reputable team,” Shurtz said. “Last year, people didn’t know what to expect. Now we are known as a force in our district.”