We set records in 2016,
including most wins (16, despite getting rained out of a tournament and another
game) and winning percentage. It was a natural follow-up when people
complimented that team, “You had a good year. What does next year look like?”
Having seen what was in the pipeline through the feeder league and elsewhere, I
brashly said, violating a long-standing rule of never predicting the results of
any JV game, much less season, “I think we’re going to be even better.” Then I
started to worry that maybe last year’s record just might be harder to eclipse than
I thought. But apparently this was the year for total eclipses.
If you’re a coach, you worry.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial for an insurance company with an
amphibian spokesperson, it’s what you do. Those worries, as it turned out, were
needless. It took us only 12 more innings to play 4 more games and compile a 22-2 record; in 2016 we
outscored the opposition by 100+ runs; this year the margin was 200+. We took
home a second-place plaque in our inaugural entry in the Ft. Zumwalt South
Tournament and successfully defended our 4th straight Hancock
Tournament trophy. Like last year, we extended more mercy to our opponents and
required none in return.
All those stats, and more, are
available below. (Double click to open for a larger view.) As usual, I have also included those of previous years for
those who think that’s important. I’m a fan of the Impressionist School, but JV
statistics offer little more than a fuzzy replication of the season because
programs vary wildly from year to year. But what is clear is that the Webster
program is successfully bringing in players every year that can help our
varsity program successfully compete with other schools. It was my pleasure to
have coached all six graduating seniors from our 2017 varsity squad – I’m proud
of the athletes they are, but even prouder of the young women they have become who do such a
magnificent job of representing their team, their school and their community.
This will look familiar to sophomore
parents because (full disclosure) it’s mostly copied from last year’s
season-ending entry. However, truth is truth, and the core values of Webster Softball do not really change.
We do, of course, set expectations for our program, but those expectations have nothing to do with wins, losses, or any other statistic. However, our goals are fairly consistent from year to year:
1 – There should be a noticeable
improvement in each girl’s game from the first practice in August to the last
game in October.
2 – There should be an obvious
growth in team culture, and, although that may look different from year to
year, a team bond and commitment to teammates must be part of that culture.
3 – Our JV Statesmen should be,
well, statesmen, maintaining a high level of sportsmanship and competitiveness
that reflects positively on the district, the school, the team, and themselves.
We want to be a respected and sought-after opponent.
4 – We should produce at least 5
varsity-ready players that Coach Gibson can think about as part of the mix for the 2018 season.
5 – Every player should be able
to look back on the season as a worthwhile and enjoyable investment of her time
and effort, and a minimum of 80% are looking forward and being committed to
continuing in the program next season, including participation in the
off-season activities and workouts.
I think I can safely speak for my invaluable assistant coaches,
Tim Cerutti, Kate Wylie, and David Knapp, when I declare this season a success.
We are lucky to have such a large and talented coaching team, from the
contracted staff to the many volunteers. I respect and enjoy working with all
of them
Parental involvement and support is something I NEVER take for
granted, although, like every year, it’s been consistently outstanding. I
started my coaching career at Hancock High School. By the fourth game of every
Statesmen season, I have met and almost always have seen virtually every parent
of every player at one game or another. I can tell you that by the end of any
four year stretch at
Hancock High School, I hadn’t met every parent with a senior in the program.
The support and sportsmanship the parents modeled for their daughters is an
integral part of our success. Thank you for that.
If I were smart, I’d bid adieu to coaching, because I don’t think
it’s possible to top this season, not in terms of wins and losses, which, while
nice, are not the be-all-end-all of JV coaching. The bond of this team, the
love, the family-feelings, well, they’ll be difficult, if not impossible to
replicate in future seasons. But the sophomores next year who experienced the
joy of this season have the leadership and personal skills to create their own
dynamic and one I anticipate enjoying in equal measure. I look forward to
seeing that play out, because THAT is the true value of high school sports and
I have truly appreciated sharing that with my girls.
Again, many thanks to all involved, coaches, parents, district
administrators, but especially the girls themselves who never gave us less than
their best, who never gave up on a teammate, for a fantastic season. Looking
forward to another great year in 2018. Before that, there will be one more post
about 2017 with some random observations about softball, coaching, and life in
general. Because that’s what I do.
