Varsity:
With the commencement of the 2026 softball season, the girls are working hard to have a good game on and off the field.
Varsity softball does many things before a game as a team to prepare for the game- traditions that the fans see but do not necessarily know what’s happening. Before every game, the girls have a special tradition they do that helps them all perform better on the field.
“Before games, we like to pray and just say how we’re feeling, and make a circle. And then, at that moment, we just like to cheer and get everyone hyped up before the game,” said Abigail Yanez, sophomore.
During games, there can be very intense moments where confidence is lost, but as a team, they ensure their players are focused even from the beginning.
“And then when we’re in our circle, we all put our hands in and say one word we’re gonna focus on for the game. So like I would say intentional,” said Chloe Holbrook, junior.
Not only do the girls like to get everyone hyped up before a game, but even after, they do everything they can to keep everyone’s spirits lifted, no matter the outcome.
“After games, if we win, we go to the outfield, and we just try to hype everybody up and make a circle, then cheer. The seniors sometimes like to dance in the middle of the group,” Yanez said.
Not only do the players have this connection with their own team, but it also goes to the opposing team when a game ends.
“We all stand around the mount and pray with the other team after the game. And at the end of the day, they’re just another team, and whether we win or lose, they do put their pants on the same way we do, so we shouldn’t look down on them,” Holbrook said.
Having the support from the team and reassurance motivates the girls to push through and not dwell on what went wrong during the game.
“While we’re in the circle, we all like to say somebody’s name and then give 2 things you’re proud of them for doing, during that game. I feel like it really helps and we’re all just really close in general,” Holbrook said.
JV:
The JV girls softball team, although different, shares the same routines and traditions.
“We do pray before games and before we go to the outfield. I think I have a better sense of the team and how we all feel when we pray, form a circle, and talk. It just helps our game and everything,” said Melanie Martinez, freshman.
With a new season of softball every year, there are always new players from other schools or clubs coming to join, which means exploring new traditions and ways, but this also comes with meeting new people.
“[As a freshman] it definitely makes me feel more comfortable with the teams that I’m with, so I know everybody and how they feel about everything when we’re in our circles,” Martinez said.
Even as years pass, traditions stay, and these really ground the relationships the girls have between their teammates and coaches.
“Everything about softball is really just uplifting and it makes me feel like I have a sense of community,” Martinez said.
