On the Eve of the 2017 Season

As we begin (what I think is) my 40^th high school softball season, 22 at Webster. (At the end of this post, I have included an excerpt of a letter sent to Coach Gibson after the recently completed Sullivan Tournament. It helps explain why that number at Webster is so high. And I want to thank our parents for raising young women who practice good sportsmanship and for modeling it for your daughters.) Our first game is Tuesday against the Cougars of Affton at Affton Athletic on Gravois (4:15 start time).

We are carrying 14 girls this season. I mentioned it to the girls the other day, but there are two ways to get better: playing and practice. Girls don’t have much control over playing time, but you can remind her that every day, every practice, every drill, every warm-up, every catch and throw counts, and is a chance to get better and to demonstrate her skills and growth as a player. We have a deep squad, so encourage your player to work hard at improving all aspects of her game.

This blog will be updated (theoretically) after each game, complete with a summary, comments, and box score, and occasionally pictures, especially if a parent wants to take photos. I do have a camera that should allow for that opportunity – or you can use your own. If we have a parent or two who are scorekeeping nerds, there is a program (Game Changer) that works on an iPhone or iPad (data plan needed) that would allow other parents to follow the game in real time for those who can’t make it to whatever field we’re playing at. Let me know if either of these “opportunities” appeals to you (bobberndt530@gmail.com).

Occasionally I will post and/or tweet (follow at either @CoachBerndt or @berndtsbuddies (I don’t want to throw any assistant coach under the bus but I didn’t pick that handle nor will I actually send those tweets)) the projected starting lineup for that day’s game, subject to last minute changes due to absence, or injury, of course. Speaking of that, if your daughter will NOT be available for whatever reason, as much advance notice as you can provide will be appreciated.

I’m looking forward to the season, mostly because I like the way this team is coming together, rooting for and supporting each other. I’m lucky to be supported by three strong assistant coaches, Tim Cerutti (someone with whom I can share random cultural references), Dave Knapp, and Kate Wylie, as well as the varsity team of Head Coach Bryan Gibson, Sam Pitlyk, Chris Fechtel, Emma Buckles and Kyra Navia. That’s a lot of instruction available, although practices will be limited as the games get going. Speaking of which, here’s our schedule (we’re Road Warriors early) through the end of this month, including two under the lights:

August 22 – Affton at AAA Field (approximately 6:15 start, after the varsity)

August 24 – Nerinx Hall at KAA (6 p.m. start)

August 25 – @ Pattonville H.S. (finally an afternoon game, 4:15 start)

August 28 – @ Parkway North (following the varsity game, ‘til we run out of light)

August 30 – @ Parkway Central (4:15 start)

August 31 – vs. Kirkwood (4:15 start)

Excerpts from the letter mentioned above: 

Dear Mr. Gibson, athletic program members, and other Administrators,

Hello, my name is Brad Hinson and I am a certified MSHSAA softball, baseball, and football official.  I can’t say I have ever done this before but I have never seen what Webster Groves softball team showed before at any sport and at any level….

Webster Groves softball, was led with the highest sportsmanship and all around positive teaching methods for the students I have ever seen.  It started with the head coach, goes down to the players and to the fans.  I have never encountered such a team to call a game for…. Typically, most don't have respect for the rules and the continuity of the game they are playing and think the official has to be yelled at no matter what.  I have informed my colleagues in my associations if they ever get a chance to call your [Webster] games to jump at the chance.  It was truly a pleasurable experience to stand behind the plate and call pitches for your team.  The most professionalism I have ever seen on the field of play.  For the first time in over 8 years of officiating MSHSAA contests I can honestly say that they were an extension of the classroom.  Fantastic all around … and an upbeat attitude even when you weren't at your best.  The girls never showed defeat and they seemed positive all the way to the end and congratulated the other team on a job well done with an eagerness to be great sportsman and civil ladies like no other….

I really just want to thank you for making a hot, humid, and otherwise miserable weather day in a contest the most fun I have ever had.  If the softball teams speaks for all of your district if I move for my kids to be in a positive environment learning in a classroom, and sports, I will look at Webster Groves as your entire organization was quite impressive.  I hope to see you in the future ….

Sincerely,

Brad Hinson (MSHSAA Official #108904)

Batter Up! Time to Throw Out the First Pitch of 2016

And so it starts, another high school softball season, my 39^th (I think: #joysofaging) high school team, 21 here at WGHS. I do have a Facebook group (Tiger-Statesmen Softball Players) which will also carry this blog. Our first game is Tuesday against the Cougars of Affton at Affton Athletic on Gravois (game time is 4:15).

We are carrying a large squad this year, 16 girls. That will present a challenge in terms of finding playing time. While we are not playing for world peace or an end to hunger, this is interscholastic, not recreational, softball. Less experienced and/or skilled players may have trouble getting many opportunities. Patience and practice will need to be their watchwords and we’ll work to find chances for them to experience the game and achieve success, either at bat, on the bases, or in the field.

I mentioned it to the girls the other day, but you can help your daughter by reminding her that every day, every practice, every drill, every warm-up, every catch and throw counts, and is a chance to get better and to demonstrate her skills and growth as a player. With so much competition for playing time (and advance warning, there is a large and very talented crop of eighth graders waiting for their chance to join the program), encourage your player to work hard at improving all aspects of her game.

This blog will be updated (theoretically) after each game, complete with a summary, comments, and box score, and often pictures (courtesy of Amy Love) of home games. If a parent wants to take pictures at away games, I have a camera that should allow for that opportunity – or you can use your own. (Note: softball is tough to shoot; in addition to softball teams, I also advised 13 yearbooks and took tens of thousands of pictures over those years.) Also, if we have a parent or two who are scorekeeping nerds, there is a program (Game Changer) that works on an iPhone or iPad (data plan needed) that would allow other parents to follow the game in real time for those who can’t make it to whatever field we’re playing at. Let me know if either of these “opportunities” appeals to you (bobberndt530@gmail.com).

Occasionally I will post and/or tweet (follow either @CoachBerndt or @berndtsbuddies (I don’t want to throw any assistant coach under the bus but I didn’t pick that handle nor will I actually send those tweets) the projected starting lineup for that day’s game, subject to last minute changes due to absence, or injury, of course. Speaking of that, if your daughter will NOT be available for whatever reason, as much advance notice as you can provide will be appreciated. In theory I have set the blog to be tweeted automatically. However, at the top right of the blog is a way for you to subscribe to automatic notifications (again, in theory). 

I’m looking forward to the season, mostly because I like the way this team is coming together, rooting for and supporting each other. I’m lucky to be supported by two strong assistant coaches, Chris Fechtel and Kate Wylie, as well as the varsity team of Head Coach Bryan Gibson, Sam Pitlyk, Dave Knapp and Doug Dickman. That’s a lot of instruction available, although practices will be limited as the games get going. Speaking of which, here’s our schedule (lots of early home cooking) through August:

Busy Week Ahead

Five days, five games, weather permitting, but it would appear that only tomorrow is problematical.

Monday (H) - Ritenour. The Huskies usually inaugurate our season by beating us (and frustrating me). This is now a conference game.

Tuesday - The Parkway Central game resumes and remains a non-starter start, even if we begin from Pitch 1.

Wednesday - Parkway North is another conference game, with some bad blood, if they have the same coach (nothing to do with the band, but it’s a one directional thing, and I’ve kind of given up trying to play nice and will let Coach Poe do the talking.

Thursday - Away at Hazelwood West, making up the rainout from last week.

Friday - possibly the toughest game of the week as we travel to Festus, if the quality of their varsity is any indication.

Remember, the likely starting lineups are posted on Game-Changer prior to game time, but last minute changes are always possible.

Don't forget the WG Jazz Festival and the WGHS Jazz Band this Saturday in Old Webster.