I come from a long line of devoted Yankees fans, but I never took any interest in baseball or softball until recently. In all honesty, I haven’t consistently played a sport since second grade, so softball, and what it’s like to be on a team, was completely beyond me. When I first stepped onto the field, I was warmly greeted by the friendliness and generosity of the other girls on the team. I was welcomed by girls of all different grade levels and affectionately given the nickname “Newspaper.”
The culture of the team is unique to any other community I’ve been a part of. Each girl seemed to genuinely care about helping one another succeed. Each warmup ritual focused on consistency, which was low-intensity and beginner-friendly. Despite the brief warmup routine, I felt adequately prepared for the rest of the training. Practice was split up into stations to encourage collaboration and everyone had the opportunity to work on each skill. I noticed players could choose to work on specific skills based on their individual needs.
As a complete beginner, I was afraid that I would be judged or that I’d embarrass myself, but before every swing, hit, or catch, I was greeted with cheers and encouragement. Girls of all skill levels worked to give me pointers and feedback, both positive and negative. I never once felt judged or embarrassed by any of my plays, regardless of how poorly I performed.
Practice began by catching and throwing with a partner, starting from a short distance and gradually stepping backward. Then, we ran two laps around the field. Afterward, we worked on various skills, like long-distance catching and batting from tees. I had a small audience of players who gathered around and offered their advice. From that, I learned to keep my eyes on the ball, move my hips with my swing, and to take time before I swing to adjust my form.
Each girl I talked to, regardless of experience, offered constructive criticism and encouragement. The team is incredibly loving and supportive, and everyone I talked to had a lot of enthusiasm and a welcoming attitude.
LASA softball is a great option for students of all skill levels who are looking for a workout, a friendly community, or just another after-school activity. Whether you have been playing for 10 years or you’ve never touched a bat in your life, the LASA softball team could be for you!
