I began this blog last season when we travelled to Alabama for the NAIA National Tournament, and I am beyond excited to keep Pioneer Nation up-to-date on the 2011 MNU Softball team this season! My goal is not to provide you with a recap and/or summary of our games, since that is what the Sports Information Department is for :) Instead, my hope is to allow every individual who reads this blog the opportunity to see the team in its entirety: the work we put forth in practice, the experiences we share off the field, and the memorable things that are worth repeating. I have a good feeling that you will grow to love and appreciate this team more and more with every entry you choose to read.
With that being said, I thought it would be a good idea to give you a brief summary of the last four weeks we've had since returning to campus from Christmas Break...
- Our team spent most of our first day back before classes learning about our own and each other's strengths through the Strengths Quest program. We were able to see how our teammates and coaches handle conflict, as well as the various ways in which they communicate, set expectations, and ultimately live their lives. It was an extremely beneficial experience!
- My fellow seniors and I were in charge of leading practices during the first week, which allowed everyone the opportunity to get back in the swing of things--no pun intended ;) Obviously because of the cold weather, we are limited to practicing indoors in the South Gym of Cook Center, but the way I've always viewed it: it could be worse...WAY worse.
- We've worked a lot on hitting and adjusting to different speeds of pitching. Coach established a Hitting League in which groups of three players compete against each other in several rounds of 10 cuts off the pitching machine. We also broke in the new Lite Flight ball machine, which helps batters pick up the ever-so-dangerous rise ball. That one definitely took several of us some getting-used-to.
- Defense practice has been limited because of the small space we're allowed, but our coaches have us working on several fundamental drills that I believe will give us an edge come time for the season to start. I must admit, it is scary to think that the first time we get outside will most likely be our first game of the season.
- Coach Mac, who runs the Sports Psychology program for our team, had us participate in a "dating video" to help us gain a better understanding of each other on a personal level. It was both eye-opening and entertaining, to say the least.
- We also took part in an ugly sweater bowling party last week, which I must admit has been my favorite "Team MNU" day thus far. Two things I learned from that experience are: 1.) Shoulder pads are extremely difficult to remove from sweaters, and 2.) Never, ever, ever, ever bowl against Steph or Laura.
Sadly our games this weekend in my home state of Oklahoma have been cancelled due to poor field conditions. As bummed as I and the rest of the girls are that our season opener has been postponed an entire week, we know through our Sports Psychology sessions that weather is one thing we will never be able to control. Hopefully the sun will shine brightly back home next week and the temperatures will allow for the snow to melt and dry in time for our triple header against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday. Until then, we'll just keep working hard inside and continue praying for mother nature to be on our side.
Love Always,
Taylor #21
No comments:
Post a Comment