The Sisters High School softball program took two steps this summer on the road to the highway of success. Or as coach Tom Mauldin calls it, “the next step in the program’s progress.”

First, the Lady Outlaws held a week-long camp in early August that featured  enhancing fundamentals. A lot of emphasis was placed on reaction time, hitting, throwing and fielding.

Second was a mid-August invitation-only Varsity Prospect Camp designed to help players bond and to start an annual tradition of a late-summer game. The event included a three-hour practice, followed by a barbecue that included family members and a camp-out. Breakfast came early at 7 the next morning, followed by an 8 a.m. start for a competitive game.

 “The ‘prospect’ camp had 19 invitees and 16 attendees,” said Mauldin. “It was designed to give the younger girls an opportunity to see how quick the level of play is at the varsity level. It was meant to have the younger players step up – basically, our first look at them. It’s all part of building the program.”

The coach added that it was an opportunity for the returning players to see sooner than later what challenges the future players would bring .

 “We had some nice surprises and some players reacted as I thought they would,” said the veteran coach. “A couple of freshmen might challenge for varsity spots. Everyone got to see what everyone else can do and what they need to do to get a varsity roster spot.”

But the coach was quick to add, “the core of the team is solid and returning starting players will come into practice in February as starters. It is up to them to keep those spots, or vie for another position, as well as an opportunity for the younger players to go for it. Competition makes for a better team.”

The players seemed to like the format, too.

“As a preseason practice, I thought it went really well. It was really fun ... we practiced hard and also had a great time,” said junior infielder Jenna Sneva, a first-team All-Sky-Em League selection in 2007. “The incoming freshmen look strong. The returning players are really excited for the new season. Overall it was a very positive experience."

“I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get to know the incoming freshman and sophomores before the start of the season as well as determine their skill level and work ethic,” said junior Jenny Kaiser, an honorable mention all-Sky-Em choice in 2007.  “It's really important to work hard on our team so it was also beneficial for them to get a taste of how a varsity-level practice and/or game runs.” 

“Being a senior on the varsity team is very exciting,” said JJ Ashley, another honorable mention all-leaguer. “Coming back from the best season Sisters has ever seen to your senior year has just filled me with unbelievable anticipation for the season!  I had heard quiet a bit about the freshmen girls that were coming and their skill level. Watching them in action and chatting with them really was a great experience for us (hopeful) returning varsity players. These girls are very talented. But it was obvious that there is work to be done. The hardest part of making us a winning team will be getting all of us on the same side. Our camp-out was a great first step in doing so. The freshmen showed off their talent which in turn showed us we may need to step it up. Nothing is being given to us. Walking away from the game got me counting down to spring time!

For senior Camille Pedersen it was a great time to catch up. A starter as a sophomore in 2006, Camille spent the 2006-2007 school year as an exchange student in Finland. It not only gave Camille some “catch up” time, but the bonding event had extra meaning for her.

 “I loved it. It was an awesome get together – we were able to goof around and have fun but also get serious and really learn what we have to work with next year,” said Pedersen. “It got me totally pumped for the season, even though its rather far away. I also really enjoyed getting to know the freshmen that are coming up, along with the new players I hadn’t met the year before. All
in all, it was an awesome get together.”

Mauldin also said there is a chance players will be switched from one position to another in what is best for the team.

“The girls have heard the stories about players who played right field as a freshman after spending three years as a shortstop in junior ball, then moved to second as a sophomore, third as a junior and shortstop as a senior,” said Mauldin. “They know the concept is about team. Simply put. they are a terrific group of young ladies and will do what is best for the team.”

Kaiser said she thought the August event was a great opportunity for the younger players. as “it gave them a chance to figure out what they needed to work on during the off season to better their chances of making varsity.  It was kind of like a pre-tryout in the way that they had the opportunity to look at the competition as well as their potential future teammates.”

With that type of reception, the coach said a similar format will be planned for summer 2008.

“The game was competitive and we had a lot of players who stepped up,” said Mauldin. “Junior Hillary Renz and freshman Cassie Hernandez were the players of the game and were awarded “game honoree” shirts for their efforts. Mauldin added that Sam Stoneback pitched well, Sneva and Kaiser bunted well “as expected” and senior Jessi Heath had two hits.

 “It was a lot to pack into 16 hours, but well worth it ... what coach wouldn’t be pleased,” said Mauldin.

“At the week-long camp Jessi (Heath) was our best hitter ... consistent and with power – a lot of line drives.” said the coach. “He also praised the batting of a number of other players, including Ashley, Sneva, Marisa Calavan, Paige Bruigiere and Kaiser. Defensively, he praised the play of McKenzie Cooper, Sneva and Zoe Wavyn.”

Mauldin added that it is the last gathering as a team until the mid-December Christmas ornament exchange. Until then there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

Such as?

“Every player needs to pick up at least one step to their left and right and we’ve got a lot of players swinging off their front foot. That needs to be corrected,” said Mauldin. “With other sports and Oregon School Activity Association limitations, players will spend a lot of time on their own enhancing their skills. And that is the next step.”

The coach noted there is an old saying: championships are won during the off-season.

 “I’m not going to preach that, because I’m a proponent of athletes playing another sport as I believe it offers growth and variety, but off-season work enhances skill and that makes the equation pretty simple – the more off-season work you do, the more skill you develop, thus the more you help your team and the more you grow,” said Mauldin.

He added, “I’m fortunate to be part of this program - I like taking the next step. It’s a great lesson for life regardless of your age.”

Outlaw Softball - All Good, All Positive, All Team