Pitcher, Pitcher, Look at Me: On CSH Softball
Lady Pythons Softball Team of 2025,
This year is different; we are coming in different. Stronger. Louder. Last year was our first year of games. We practiced hard and played hard, but let's really talk about how this year is going to look for us, and how it is very different and better.
This year many freshmen were interested in joining the softball team, and also many got into the softball team. It was our first time having that many girls interested in joining. This year’s softball team is coming back stronger and more determined. After learning from last season, us players have worked hard to improve our skills and build better teamwork. With a good mix of experienced players and new talent, the team is more balanced and ready to compete. The coaches have introduced new strategies to help both offense and defense. With more focused practices and a positive mindset, this team is prepared to give their best effort.
We also upgraded our equipment and added a new coach: Ms. Germain. We are ready.
But how do you play softball? Softball is a fun team sport played with a bat, a ball, and gloves. There are two teams, and each team takes turns playing offense, which is batting, and defense, which is out on the field. The offensive team tries to hit the ball and run around four bases to score points, called runs, and once the runner hits home base that’s one run. The defensive team tries to catch the ball, tag runners, or throw the ball to the bases to get outs. The game usually has seven innings, but for high schools it’s 6, and the team with the most runs at the end wins.
We had the opportunity to talk to one of our new coaches, Ms. Germain, about the role softball played in her life. She said the following:
“Growing up softball was like my whole life, most seriously between the ages of 7 and 16. And I was on a travel league where every single weekend, Saturday and Sunday, we played double headers, so I played four games a weekend for about eight years of my life, um, which was a lot, so it was a lot of commitment and it taught me the value of commitment. I also had to learn how to be a teammate and to, you know, be there for other people when they're going through things. So for me, softball isn't just about a sport. It's about the values that come with it, like teamwork, like communication, like being there when we're going through our lowest. And that team taught me so much. and that's why I want to be a coach and I want to be there for you guys because I want to see you guys come together in that way for each other. ”
Few people knew that Ms. Germain had a passion for softball. Most have always seen her simply as an ELA teacher, but in high school, she played in a competitive league where softball was her world. Just as many of you find fulfillment in things like basketball, music, or art, for Ms. Germain, her passion was softball. Now, after years away from the game, she’s returned to the sport she loves but this time as a coach. Her determination is amazing, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will undoubtedly benefit the team this year and get us a great win and team.
We talked to both coaches about what they expect this year. Our returning coach, Coach E, said the following:
“This year in particular, what I'm expecting is a strong team culture. Because last year, I don't think that we were as close. You know, there was some drama, some animosity amongst the girls on the team, but this year, I'm really trying to work on our team culture. I'm really trying to cultivate a sisterhood. I'm just trying to have more fun times, more outings, more special moments.”
And Ms. Germain said the following:
“I'm really excited about this season. I'm expecting hard work, dedication, eagerness to learn more and athletes coming up to me during the day and asking questions, watching videos on their own and just getting really curious about the sport.”
Both Coach E and Coach Germain are expecting similar results from the team this year. Beyond just winning games, the goal this season is to build lasting relationships and a sense of trust among the team. A strong team culture doesn’t just help on the field, it’s also what builds personal growth, confidence, and resilience. By fostering an environment where players support each other, celebrate successes together, and push through challenges as a unit, the team can create an experience that goes far beyond just the sport itself. With dedicated coaches like Coach E and Coach Germain leading the way, this season has the potential to be one of the most memorable and impactful yet. So when you look at them, don’t just look at them as an ELA Teacher or a Social Worker, they are hard working women with a passion for softball that want to pass down their skills to the next generation: us.