Team, coach prepare for longer softball season

After four years of coaching at Stephens, Tim Price has seen progress both fundamentally and competitively in the softball program.

"This year we have a higher dedication level of applying ourselves to accomplish all the tasks before us," Price said.

Price took over the program as head coach last season and since then has made the changes he thought would prepare the team for the upcoming season.

His efforts include fundraising, hard practice, and adding games to the schedule. Games have been added primarily to weekends. He said this was done to avoid complications of having students available for games given their class schedules.

The preparations the team and Coach Price have undergone has paid off, according to Lesley Nielsen, a senior integrated media major.

"We are already ten steps ahead of where we started last year," she said. The team began their rigorous practice schedule on January 9 for their first game, which happens on March 1. The Stars plan to build from their record and experience of last season.

"Last year we had some struggles, but we came through those and were stronger at the end," says Nielsen.

The Stars roster consists of ten focused and dedicated players, said Price. Of the ten, four are dual-sport athletes who will not become available for practice until days before the first game.

Price said he thinks that if they maintain focus and dedication throughout the entire season, he can see them being a contender in the conference play offs.

Nielsen agrees.

"We have some good quality players who will be solid this season. I feel like we're progressing as a program and in a couple of years, we'll be where we want to be," Nielsen said.

The team's optimism for the 2012 season extends to their opponents. "I am hoping we will force them to consider us as an opponent this year and not just another mark in their win column," Price said.

This seasons home games will be played at the American Legion Field. Coach Price says that having a field more dedicated to Stephens is helping tremendously with their progress. "We don't have to scramble the day of a home game to figure out which field we are going to play on," said Price.

Weather permitting, the Stars will play 50 games this season.

Price said he hopes to continue working and improving with the team.

"My goals are to improve our fundamentals and competitiveness. I also hope to get our player numbers up instead of being marginal to having enough to field a team," he said.

Team members hope to see students in maroon and gold when they take the field against Waldorf College.