Contrary to Punxsutawney Phil I can’t help but feel like Spring is right around the corner. No, I didn’t see my own shadow, I’ve got a better measure to tell when seasons are upon us.
No better measure for the arrival of Spring than the arrival of Softball and Baseball season.
Just like the previous two seasons, I feel a sort of attachment to the spring season. Maybe it’s the school kid spirit that I still possess but to me, Spring rings of a sort of loosening up of heavy responsibility for the year. The weather progressively gets better and better, grills start to get uncovered and most importantly, the diamond makes its grand return. Which I put higher on my list of greatest events to occur within the yearly berth of Springtime.
Something about baseball and softball contrasts deeply to the previous sports we’ve discussed on this blog before in previous seasons. The diamond sports have a much more lax feel to them then their hash mark and hardwood counterparts. There is no clock (at least not yet) in between pitches, nothing to signal any sort of rush. You can go to the ballpark and get lost in the games. That laid back attitude and atmosphere gives you something you don’t find with the other sports as an observer in the stands. It also helps that the concession stand isn’t as far away as it might seem to the naked eye.
Warm weather and concession stand talk aside, Broadway Softball and Baseball are soon back in action!
Starting with the Softball team. Head Coach Becky Cantrell is the seasoned leader of the Lady Gobblers program. Cantrell is a real veteran of the game. A no-nonsense flat out fearless leader who is the textbook example of how to lead a program. Her team made a playoff appearance in Brookville despite finishing with a record under .500. I know from my limited experience so far here at BHS over the years that playoff experience can go a long way for a young team. The Gobblers, who were young a year ago, will return a now-seasons group of veterans. The Gobblers graduated just two seniors from last year’s team, and should return many of the major contributors from the lineup from last season. Emma Morris, who started the season in the circle for the Gobblers will be a welcome addition after her freshman year was cut short due to injury. With the influx of new faces from last year’s explosive JV squad, the Gobblers will look to compete deep into June. The Lady Gobblers schedule is packed with great opponents that will leave the team battle tested by the time we meet season’s end.
The baseball team finds themselves with a new man in charge. Head Coach Tim Turner retired this past year after a great stint as Head Coach for the Gobblers. I was lucky enough to be one of the many players that got to play under Coach Turner and I can confidently say that I’ll never forget the many lessons he taught us. Most importantly of which was to always stay even keel which I’ll keep with me as long as I live.
The new head man for the Gobblers is George Laase. Coach Laase previously Coached at Staunton High School and has also spent time Playing and Coaching in the Valley League and the Rockingham County Baseball League. Coach Laase also won the 2021 Valley League Championship as the Manager of the Strasburg Express.
To see the 2023 Spring Sports Broadcast Schedule on the Gobblers Sports Network visit http://www.gobblerssportsnetwork.com/spring
For the Full 2023 Spring Sports Preview visit http://www.gobblerssportsnetwork.com/blog
