The Gilmer High Lady Cats are looking to build on last season’s state softball tournament appearance.
Head coach Haley Vick lightened the players’ load slightly this summer as 15 of 17 players are on travel teams. Athletes’ time was also shared between multiple sports at GHS. Field time was not a concern for Vick. GHS practiced three days per week, and there were typically around 10 to 12 players at each practice.
“With my girls playing so much in travel ball, I needed to give them their long weekends and not burn them out, but we still needed our time to bond as a team and work as a team,” Vick said.
“That’s a pretty high number of travel ball players for us. When I started I think we had three or four who were playing travel ball. So the fact that we’ve got almost our entire roster playing outside of the season is awesome.”
When the Cats were not on their own field, they hit the road for a summer league at Cherokee High School. Vick has a versatile roster at her disposal, and she was able to see players perform in several positions.
“They looked pretty good in those games. We were moving people around to see different sets,” Vick said. “We have a lot of options. Almost all of our kids have a first and a good secondary position they can play. We’re trying to move them around and see who is producing at the plate and make decisions based off that.
“We have five pitchers we can use in different ways, so we’re looking at different sets depending on who is on the mound. A lot of my pitchers are utility players.”
Vick noted the team did not work on fundamentals as much as in years past. She wanted to focus on another area that is a major component of the game.
“Our approach was very much centered around the mental aspects of the game and the general mental approach to the game, whether it be at the plate or in the field,” Vick said. “These girls go to lessons and they play travel ball. While we do need the fundamental and the technical part of the training, (we wanted to focus on) just getting out there and believing in yourself and your team and trusting the work you put in and setting some goals. That’s really what I’ve identified as something that’s going to help us go even farther.”
GHS held its first official practice Monday. Vick and her staff will continue to solidify positions and find the best mix of players who excel both defensively and at the plate. They will also focus on some in-game situations where they have faltered in the past.
“We have so many good athletes and good players that it’s not a matter of only having a few to choose from,” Vick said. “Anyone could step in and play.
“We had a good summer. I gave them a little more time off, and when they got to practice, I felt like they were focused and ready to go. I think they appreciated a little more of that downtime. They’re communicating a lot better on the field and picking up the importance of that. I’ve been really pleased with it.”
GHS opens the season Aug. 6 at Murray County.