Knock Knock. Who's There? Statesmen Bats. Webster 14, Pattonville 3

The first “real’ game, our conference opener, was over almost before it started, as the Statesmen banged out 6 hits and forced 3 errors on other hard hit balls, scoring 9 runs in the first. We did at least get to play 5 innings (well, 4 ^1/2 actually) and apply the 10-run rule instead of the 15-run standard that marked our first 2 games. We also lowered our walks per game average from 15 to 10, as the Pirate pitcher had good control and threw strikes, which we hit, and hit, and hit.... The Pirates may have made almost as many errors as the Cardinals in a home game, but several of those were because we hit the ball so hard that they were overmatched.

Our third pitcher finished what she started as Allyson Peters continued the fine work in the circle. Zoe Schultz completed our first double play, Elise Keller banged out our first triple, and Guin Ellsworth drove in two more runs. That total was matched by Keller, Josie Krueger, and Jenna Hoffman who also added 2 hits to her career first from last game. The girls really distinguished themselves with outstanding base running, and not just our rabbits at the top and bottom of the order.

We’ll see how the season develops, and it’s too early to get overconfident, but there’s more than half a chance we’re going to be pretty good. As well as we played today, the team agreed we still have even more to offer. The spirit, work ethic, and desire to improve are all promising and I’m looking forward to seeing just how high our ceiling can be. I’m thinking those old houses down on the Lafayette Square house tour have nothing on us.

Keep track of our schedule which seems to be changing faster than a local channel weather forecast. So far we actually still have the same game schedule, just different opponents. Monday we will play our first of two games against Summit, Tuesday (9/6) we’ll replace the DuBourg Cavaliers with the Vikings of Parkway North (originally scheduled for Monday), and on Monday (9/12) travel to Lutheran South instead of Parkway West. 

As always, thanks to Amy Jo Love for the pictures. Kind of gives you a preview of what to look for in the photo books she and Stacey Greer are preparing.

Oh No No for a Freshman Debut -- Webster 15, Nerinx Hall 0

A new coaching staff for our neighbors, the Nerinx Hall Markers. promises a brighter future, but growing pains will keep them from being competitive for at least this year. The good news for them is that they have Affton on their schedule. Somebody will get a win, although it’s not a game I would want to watch. But again we managed to get all 15 eligible players at least an at bat. 

Freshman Megan Hayes made her debut in the circle for the Statesmen and extended the no-walk streak started yesterday to 6 innings. She also didn’t allow any hits or runs as we ended the game on the 15-run rule and a 15-0 final.

Again the girls did a great job of showing respect and good sportsmanship for a weaker opponent, staying involved despite the score and, after some opening inning jitters, playing strong defense and hitting the ball solidly when it actually came over the plate, which wasn’t all that often. I try to walk at least 3 miles a day in the ‘hood (dodging the driving denizens of Laclede Groves as well as those who think those stripes at intersections are decorative), but not nearly as much as our team, so far, as we added 13 more walks today. Guin Ellsworth had a good day both behind and at the plate, as she drove in 4 runs.

The girls did a good job of not letting some very strange calls by the umpires disturb them. Just as well, as we might still be batting were it not for blue awarding 3 of Nerinx’s 8 outs via creative umpiring. We’ll save our questions for games where it might matter.

We’re looking forward to that getting started on Friday when we open our conference schedule at home against the usually tough Pattonville Pirates. They beat us 3-2 in 2013, we returned the favor, 5-2 in 2014, and played one of our poorer games last year, using 13-4. Statesmen vs. Pirates. Hmmmm. Too many possibilities to get in trouble, so I’ll just leave it there and hope to see you at the field. Thanks to Amy Jo Love for the pix.

Are You Ready for Some Football? Webster 21, Affton 3

Okay, it was softball, despite the football score. Under grey skies the Statesmen did a remarkable job of staying focused and not playing down to the opposition. We waited on a slow pitcher and hit several balls hard, took good leads and ran the bases well. I’ve been on the other side (yes, even at Webster in the late 80s and early 90s, when playing even 5 innings was something of a moral victory) and it’s tough. The girls did a good job of treating a much weaker opponent with respect.

But it’s tough to assess real strengths and weaknesses in a game like this. We think speed will be a weapon for us, but it wasn’t one we could exploit to full effect in a game where we stopped stealing in the first inning. Nevertheless, on the positive side, every eligible girl got an at bat and a chance to play, not something that will happen every game. The 15-run rule (15 after 3, 10 after 5) ended the contest after just three innings.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings when we play the Markers of our neighbor, Nerinx Hall in our first home game at Plymouth Field. It was good to see so many parents and supporters in the stands at Affton Athletic. Again, if you would like to try your hand at softball photography, especially at away games, I am happy to loan you my camera; even a couple pictures will make this blog more interesting. It lives in my backpack, so no advance reservation is necessary.

Tentative Lineup for Opener at Affton Athletic, 4:15

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: