On Nov. 6, the Plainfield South softball team started their off-season preparation by hosting open gyms in the fieldhouse to prepare for the upcoming season. 

The open gyms, which have started with introductions to the players and coaches, have consisted of throwing, conditioning, hitting, fielding, and mini-games. They also focus on basic softball skills such as footwork.

Taylor Schwall, the assistant varsity coach, shared that it is better to start working on the fundamentals before the season starts to avoid working on the basic skills too late.

 “[Fundamentals are] the foundation to get better, and we want to be a good team this year,’’ Schwall said.

Another reason that they have worked on these skills is to prepare the team for any in-game situation, like when they are pressured and need to focus.

“[An important team goal is] winning as many playoff games as we can and winning regionals to show everybody what we can do,” said Regina Glover, a junior who is a pitcher and first baseman.

One advantage the team has is that they have a lot of returners, only losing one senior last year.

“The returners have already played a lot together. So, with that being said, they already know the fast-paced game at the varsity level, and that’s going to help our younger students who are going to be pulled up to our team,’’ Schwall said.

Katie Nichols is one of those seniors, a catcher who is committed to Western Michigan University, a Division 1 school. Nichols believes in the team’s potential this year, feeling that their record will show a lot more this year due to being able to build from their chemistry from last year. 

“We pick each other up. It’s not like you go and you make a mistake and people are mad at you. It’s you go, you’re having fun, you’re meeting new people, you’re enjoying your time playing the sport that you love,’’ Nichols said. 

According to Schwall, having fun is another key to a successful season.

 “If you are down and mad and blaming one another, you are going to struggle with the longer season. I saw it from volleyball, when we were having fun everything was great. If things were not going so great we struggled a little bit,’’ Schwall said.

Having fun is something that the girls felt last year as well. 

“I had a lot of fun last year. Everyone on the team is really nice. Everyone got along,’’ said Giana Zumdahl, a junior who plays middle infield for the team. “We grew a lot as individuals and as a team.’’

Schwall has seen this bond within the team from the first time she stepped into the fieldhouse to see them, hearing laughter from across it.