The local schools in Pike County have hit the field to begin preparations for the 2018 softball and baseball season.

 

“So far its basically just getting our arms acclimated for the season,” Josey Shannon, CHHS coach, said. “We are going to require them do some conditioning and getting their feet under them. We are just trying to get them ready so when we do start full practice we are not coming up with pulled hamstrings and sore elbows.”

The Trojans are a young team entering this season. After losing 11 seniors off last year’s roster, Shannon is expecting to start a few freshmen this season. The Trojans have just one every-day player returning to this year’s team and that is Noah Lowery.

The Patriots and the rest of the teams within AISA were allowed to hit the fields nearly two weeks later, head coach for PLAS softball, Robert Rollan, likes what he is seeing out of his players.

 

“We are getting there,” Rollan said. “It’s a process of blending the old with the new and trying to get in as many cuts as you can. I think these next two weeks are going to be key.”

 

Every year the Patriots have a new team and Rollan wants to see what kind of team will be wearing the red, white and blue this season.

 

Head coach Fawn Sims and the Pike County Lady Bulldogs softball team have started full team workouts and Simms, for the first time in many years, will have an experienced roster back.

 

The Bulldogs have revamped their goals over the offseason. They no longer just want to win games; they want to be a team.

“They are so focused on the team right now and on each other,” Sims said. “I tell them ‘If you can’t find a way to become a unit, you can’t build anything.’ They have really been buying into that.”

The Pike County Bulldogs baseball team is also working to establish a team culture and bonding. “Hopefully it will stick,” said head coach Barnes.

 

“This time last year the players were still getting to know me,” Barnes said. “We were trying to establish a culture right off the bat. This year, we have returning guys that have been in this program and they know what is expected of them. We are building on what we have already established and I believe we have guys that have bought in.”

 

For more information on your favorite teams, be on the lookout for the annual diamond edition of The Catch.