While in the previous year there were not enough students to form a softball team, several seniors joined together to compete this season.

Through this endeavor, their goal was not to win but to have fun. Coach Jennifer Tatum says she and the team understood from the beginning that they would not win a lot of games.

“We do have fun at games, and because the girls knew they weren’t going to be Valley Champs, it became a positive thing,” Tatum said. “This meant they had no pressure on them and they had a good time. We laughed and ended up entertaining the other teams.”

Though most sports teams bear the pressure of winning, the softball team was able to play in a carefree environment, sophomore Amanda Merzon said.

“It was fun because it felt like an accomplishment just to have a team,” Merzon said. “There were a lot of seniors who joined just because it was their senior year; that’s how we got a team. I liked being a part of the team because I really got to know a lot of people.”

As a result of the girls’ positive attitudes from the start, they got themselves into many interesting situations.

“Softball was probably one of the most fun parts of my senior year because we all just enjoyed being around each other,” Nacoya Villegas, ’10, said. “Even though we sucked and didn’t know that was happening most of the time, we were able to laugh at our mistakes and just have fun. We knew we weren’t going to win, so we just acted like dorks and learned to laugh at ourselves.”

Though the team lost on several occasions, some players joined the season with prior experience.

“I like playing softball a lot, and my dad thinks that I can get a scholarship for the sport,” Brandi Thompson, ’12, said. “If next year there is a team, I know we probably won’t win, but I will still play for it because I want to just keep getting better.”

In the end, the team’s goal was to have fun and make as many memories as possible, players said.

“My favorite time is when we scored our first run of the season against Tranquillity,” Merzon said. “It was the best moment ever because all of us were jumping and screaming in the dugout.”

In addition, Villegas recalls several memorable moments from this season.

“It was really funny when I tried to run to first base,” Villegas said. “Also it was funny when Heather [Lichti, ’10] screamed randomly at a girl running to second base so that she would stop running. Another favorite was when I just didn’t run after I hit the ball. There was just a lot of fun times [sic].”

Parents also helped the team learn, enjoy the sport and spend time out on the field, Tatum said.

“We had a great time learning from Odes, Brandi’s dad,” Tatum said. “He taught them first how to bunt and how to ‘sacrifice.’ What we did in the end for the girls not to get down on themselves is to make them laugh. Whether it be at a game, while coaching third base or in the dugout bouncing on the bench, I always try.”

For more information, read the Softball sport shorts from 2008 or check out Tagging second.