Softball is back in action this year with a new head coach who is looking forward to making changes to this team. Coach Jessi Warner came in this year and wasted no time getting to work with the girls. She goes into this season with experienced veterans along with a lot of new players, but her goal of making this team the best it can be remains the same.
Coach Warner has been working vigorously on making this team better. From taking baby steps with the new players to increasing the intensity with new workouts, this softball team is manifesting.
“We are breaking down the fundamental movements into stations, basically isolating the different movement patterns that the players need by doing a lot of drills, a weight room schedule, ordering a lot of new equipment, and changing the team culture,” Warner said.
This offseason, Coach Warner has made the new players her main focus. Warner has been getting them up to speed so they can be ready to play.
“Just really breaking it down over the off-season and putting in time working with the inexperienced players [has been big.] I think one of the biggest things is [making sure we are doing] a lot of offseason work because, historically, I don't think that was done,” Coach Warner said.
Since Warner became head coach, her work with the team has been showing progress. She was not here last year to see them in action and now has to fill the cracks left by past coaches.
“Last year I wasn't here and didn't see that but I can already tell you their throws are better, their fielding technique is better, we've been in the batting cages, so their hitting is better, and their overall softball IQ [has improved]. We've done film sessions, along with a lot of work with the pitchers, so pitching should be better, too,” Warner said.
This year, Coach Warner is taking over the team as the brand new head coach, so there are a lot of things she needs to get to. With all the inexperienced players, the team is going through a rebuilding process, and Warner is shaping this team into the team she knows it can be. Coach Warner’s goals for this team are within reach. She knows the process is not going to be a quick one, nor is it going to be an easy one. Warner’s goals are about maximizing the potential that these girls have.
“Last season, they won four games so if we’re going with a number of games I'd love to end the season .500, that seems pretty advantageous based on the number of inexperienced players that we have, for me success for the team is each of the players getting better from the beginning of the season to the end, improvement to me is success,” Warner said.
As the softball season gets closer, Warner is really deciding who will be the key players for this team.
“I'm gonna go with our seniors and captains, more specifically Brooklyn as catcher, Jamiah and Warren Payton are our returning captains, Natalie Hilliard as a freshman is going to make some noise,” Warner said.
Those players are the ones who work hard in practice and the ones the team will rely on to make big plays.
This team has worked hard and is ready for the season. As a whole, they've gotten better and Warner can't wait to see what they can do.
“I think we have a great group of girls. I think we have a lot of athleticism, the girls are showing up, they are putting in the work and grinding in the gym I’m just extremely proud of them. I think, as a whole, they have a lot to be proud of just from the effort that they are putting in to change the program by consistently putting in work each week,” Warner said.
Coach Warner has been working with this team all off-season and has built a bond that's important to have, especially as a new coach. That bond will carry into the season and let the players know that they're playing and coaching for one another.
“We try and make it fun I try building a bond with them they always know they can talk to me we had dinners and film sessions just letting the girls know that I'm there for them and I'm supporting them I’m not one of those mean coaches. I have high expectations, but at the same time I'm very young and relatable with them,” Warner said.
All in all this is a season to which people should pay attention. Coach Warner is making the necessary changes to the team and the team is changing the Warren softball program. The work they are putting in now will show throughout the season, and Warner will continue to make these girls the best they can be.
“We have their backs we teach them every girl that came in has seen improvement we even had girls come in and not even know which hand to put the glove on and when youre starting with that at a high school level you got a lot of ground to make up I think they see us continue to show to work on them and be proud of their success and that kinda builds the culture,” Warner said.