New Outlaw coach optimistic about SHS softball
December 13th, 2006
Incoming Sisters High School softball coach Tom Mauldin hasn’t met all of the returning - or new - Outlaw players, but the ones he has met have made a “terrific” first impression. “It’s a marvelous process that develops between coach and players ... getting to know one another, establishing trust, developing a partnership and seeking a common goal,” said Mauldin, 56, and a veteran of 20 seasons as a softball coach.
The new Outlaw coach comes from Seaside High where he coached for 10 years. Prior that, the former U.S. West softball player had coaching stints in Rogue River and California. To his credits, Mauldin has played in 3,000 fastpitch games ranging from recreational leagues to highest caliber national teams. He has played in a number of national tournaments and also has international experience.
But he’s the first to admit Outlaw Softball isn’t about him. “It’s about the girls and I’m very proud to be the person given the reins to shepherd them toward their next steps,” said Mauldin, who along with his wife (Cat) recently made Sisters their home. “We’ve got some big challenges facing us – the Sky-Em League is considered one of the toughest, if not the toughest, leagues in the State. But we will compete.” The coach said there are some big holes to fill, starting with catcher as would-be Outlaw catcher Camille Peterson is an exchange student spending the 2006-2007 season in Finland. And three other starters from the 2006 team graduated last June. That means returnees – or potential returnees – come back at five positions. Mauldin noted key positions with little varsity experience include second base, first base and one of the outfield spots, as well as the aforementioned catching position. “There appears to be a good core of athletes,” said Mauldin. “And there’s a lot I know absolutely nothing about. He noted that there were a couple of players who did not play last year that have indicated they would be turning out for the 2007 team, as well as a few varsity-potential players new to school. And, of course, with a new coach, new dynamics come into play. Mauldin said it isn’t about what positions the girls want to play, but what position they play best in helping the team. He emphasized, “it is a team sport, after all, and my charge is to create a team that puts our best effort on the field each and every time we play.” He cited one year that his starting third baseman from the previous year ended up being moved to catcher as it was the best benefit to the team. “She had been an all-league third baseman the year before, but she proved to be our best option behind the plate, thus that’s where we used her for the first 15 games. By then, we had developed another varsity level catcher and she caught nine of the last 10 games.” The coach was quick to note that she still ended up all-league as the coaches were equally as impressed with her versatility as they were with her catching or third base play. He calls it one of the processes in life – being part of something bigger than the individual. “Sometimes players have physical limitations that keep them from playing exactly where they want,” he said. “It could be a not-so-strong throwing arm, slow lateral movement one way or another or a fear of the ball.
We’re a long way from the first practice and as of right now, everything is just on paper. I’m anticipating a lot of competition for starting berths, as well as varsity roster spots. I won’t be making out our first lineup card until the second week of March. A lot will happen between now and then. There will be many positive surprises.” When pressed to cite a few players he was impressed with, Mauldin quickly named infielder/catcher Becky Bremer (recently named all-state in volleyball), pitcher/infielder Sam Stoneback, Jenna “Freshman” Sneva, and Hillary Renz. “Although I’ve not seen a lot of girls in action, several have impressed me with their maturity, interest and interaction,” said Mauldin.
When asked about his goals for 2007, the new coach said “to prepare the team fundamentally and with the strategies of the game to be competitive every time we take the field. We are going to be Oregon’s best bunting team and we will put the ball in play. This will be a positive experience.” He said that perhaps one of the team’s mottos might best describe his goals for 2007: We didn’t come here to lose, we came here to compete. “Once each player has established personal goals, we will be better suited to develop team goals,” he said. “It’s all one step at a time ... and some will be big steps.”
The coach said a lot of things are underway for the 2007 season – fundraising, new uniforms have been ordered, coaches are in place, optional winter workouts have begun and more games are being scheduled. He also said that team moms have planned an “ornament exchange” for Dec. 13. “All in all. I’m very optimistic about the next steps the Outlaw Softball program is readying to take,” said the coach. “My enthusiasm and energy levels are high.”
KEY DATES to remember: Monday-Thursday, Open Gym, 7:30 - 9 - SHS back gym; Feb. 19 - First Day of Practice; March 13 - First game - at home, versus Mtn. View, (4 pm) April 3 - First Sky-Em League game ...at home (versus Elmira, 4:30 pm)
Outlaw softball players enjoy gift exchange. Photo by Cat Mauldin
December 13th, 2006Incoming Sisters High School softball coach Tom Mauldin hasn’t met all of the returning - or new - Outlaw players, but the ones he has met have made a “terrific” first impression. “It’s a marvelous process that develops between coach and players ... getting to know one another, establishing trust, developing a partnership and seeking a common goal,” said Mauldin, 56, and a veteran of 20 seasons as a softball coach.
The new Outlaw coach comes from Seaside High where he coached for 10 years. Prior that, the former U.S. West softball player had coaching stints in Rogue River and California. To his credits, Mauldin has played in 3,000 fastpitch games ranging from recreational leagues to highest caliber national teams. He has played in a number of national tournaments and also has international experience.
But he’s the first to admit Outlaw Softball isn’t about him. “It’s about the girls and I’m very proud to be the person given the reins to shepherd them toward their next steps,” said Mauldin, who along with his wife (Cat) recently made Sisters their home. “We’ve got some big challenges facing us – the Sky-Em League is considered one of the toughest, if not the toughest, leagues in the State. But we will compete.” The coach said there are some big holes to fill, starting with catcher as would-be Outlaw catcher Camille Peterson is an exchange student spending the 2006-2007 season in Finland. And three other starters from the 2006 team graduated last June. That means returnees – or potential returnees – come back at five positions. Mauldin noted key positions with little varsity experience include second base, first base and one of the outfield spots, as well as the aforementioned catching position. “There appears to be a good core of athletes,” said Mauldin. “And there’s a lot I know absolutely nothing about. He noted that there were a couple of players who did not play last year that have indicated they would be turning out for the 2007 team, as well as a few varsity-potential players new to school. And, of course, with a new coach, new dynamics come into play. Mauldin said it isn’t about what positions the girls want to play, but what position they play best in helping the team. He emphasized, “it is a team sport, after all, and my charge is to create a team that puts our best effort on the field each and every time we play.” He cited one year that his starting third baseman from the previous year ended up being moved to catcher as it was the best benefit to the team. “She had been an all-league third baseman the year before, but she proved to be our best option behind the plate, thus that’s where we used her for the first 15 games. By then, we had developed another varsity level catcher and she caught nine of the last 10 games.” The coach was quick to note that she still ended up all-league as the coaches were equally as impressed with her versatility as they were with her catching or third base play. He calls it one of the processes in life – being part of something bigger than the individual. “Sometimes players have physical limitations that keep them from playing exactly where they want,” he said. “It could be a not-so-strong throwing arm, slow lateral movement one way or another or a fear of the ball.
We’re a long way from the first practice and as of right now, everything is just on paper. I’m anticipating a lot of competition for starting berths, as well as varsity roster spots. I won’t be making out our first lineup card until the second week of March. A lot will happen between now and then. There will be many positive surprises.” When pressed to cite a few players he was impressed with, Mauldin quickly named infielder/catcher Becky Bremer (recently named all-state in volleyball), pitcher/infielder Sam Stoneback, Jenna “Freshman” Sneva, and Hillary Renz. “Although I’ve not seen a lot of girls in action, several have impressed me with their maturity, interest and interaction,” said Mauldin.
When asked about his goals for 2007, the new coach said “to prepare the team fundamentally and with the strategies of the game to be competitive every time we take the field. We are going to be Oregon’s best bunting team and we will put the ball in play. This will be a positive experience.” He said that perhaps one of the team’s mottos might best describe his goals for 2007: We didn’t come here to lose, we came here to compete. “Once each player has established personal goals, we will be better suited to develop team goals,” he said. “It’s all one step at a time ... and some will be big steps.”
The coach said a lot of things are underway for the 2007 season – fundraising, new uniforms have been ordered, coaches are in place, optional winter workouts have begun and more games are being scheduled. He also said that team moms have planned an “ornament exchange” for Dec. 13. “All in all. I’m very optimistic about the next steps the Outlaw Softball program is readying to take,” said the coach. “My enthusiasm and energy levels are high.”
KEY DATES to remember: Monday-Thursday, Open Gym, 7:30 - 9 - SHS back gym; Feb. 19 - First Day of Practice; March 13 - First game - at home, versus Mtn. View, (4 pm) April 3 - First Sky-Em League game ...at home (versus Elmira, 4:30 pm)