Starting the Softball Season

On February 25 the Madison High School softball players will be trying out for a spot on the 2018-2019 teams. Girls ranging from freshmen to seniors will be competing for their place on the JV or varsity teams. They have been practicing and training at open gyms since November in preparation for tryouts.

The coaches go to the open gyms to scout out the players and get a feel for the strengths and weaknesses of each girl.  “Open gyms are beneficial to the people who come. It sets them apart from the rest, and it’s very, very, very noticeable as a coach,” says Assistant Coach Ashlee Arnold.

Through the months of March, April and May the players will play teams from surrounding areas such as Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rigby. They will also play in a tournament in Boise where they will see different competition from western Idaho.

Seniors Karly Hanosky and Carlie Arnold will be this year’s varsity team captains. As the leaders, they not only push the skill of the game they also push the relationships as well. “I want us to be a family, kind of make it like friendship and a family more than just teammates,” said Arnold.

These two are a powerful duo on the field; Arnold pitching and Hanosky catching. “This year, we’re really young but our pitcher-catcher combo is a senior duo so that will make us strong and then the younger energy on the field will just keep it going,” said Coach Arnold.

Varsity coaches Debbie Jensen and Ashlee Arnold are looking forward to working with the girls and helping their teams build and grow. “With a young team we have a lot to build with them but its gonna keep building year after year and it’s gonna stick with us,” said Coach Arnold. As a Madison softball alumni, Ashlee Arnold has seen the program as a whole grow and improve over the years.

After an 11-9 season last year, the players and coaches are looking to improve their record. “The last 3 years I’ve played school ball we’ve won more and more games each year, I want to be able to keep that up, along with our winning record,” said Hanosky.

During the summer the softball girls enhanced their skills by playing on a competitive travel team. They placed second in two tournaments and won the Whitney Harris Invitational Tournament.

After a successful summer ball season, the girls played in a fall ball league in Brigham City, Utah. The team traveled to Brigham City every Saturday for five weeks in September and October. This gave them a great opportunity to see challenging teams and talent. It also allowed the younger girls to start filling the shoes of some upperclassmen.  

Coach Arnold also mentioned that their goals for this season are to keep it above a 500 winning average, a 150 batting average, and compete at the state tournament. To do this the practices are going to be more focused, serious and intense. She wants the girls to have fun but she also wants them to be disciplined. The players will also work on game situations and skills they need confidence in.

Coach Arnold believes that the team’s confidence is key in helping them succeed at the highest level they can. “When it comes down to the game, your mind has to be what gets you through it. You aren’t just born confident in the game, it takes a lot of hard work in the offseason, at practice, on your own time with your teammates and in yourself. And that’s when the confidence comes. You can’t just believe you’re gonna be good. You have to work to be good.” said Arnold.