Two Changes Implemented for Softball Department
by Laura Kenny
It took about a year and a half, and thirty-five thousand dollars to clear the space where Marian's new Crusader softball field now stands.
The field, located northeast of the soccer field, was dedicated on Sept. 2. The dedication took place in between the J.V. and Varsity softball games against Omaha Westside.
The dedication began with Marian's J.V. and Varsity cheerleaders' good luck cheer in centerfield. Then, Miss Elizabeth Kish, Head of School, introduced by Mr. Tom Baker, made her way to the pitchers mound, complete with a little neon green glove to throw out a pitch. After Kish, the five major contributors to the field came out and also tried their luck at pitching the first strikes on the new field.
The ceremonies concluded with the Concert Choir singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
"I thought it was kind of cool," said freshman Melissa Schraufnagel.
"I thought it was very nice," said senior Christina Graney, co-captain of the Varsity team." I think they put a lot of work into it and it turned out perfect." The Varsity game followed with a 1-0 loss to Westside.
The new field isn't the only addition to the softball program Marian has also added some students from Omaha's Central Christian High School to play on their teams. Sixty-seven girls tried out, and six of them were from Central Christian. Four of the girls that tried out made teams, one on Varsity, two on J.V. and one on Reserve.
Central Christian approached Marian to see if their girls could play on Marian's softball team. "They approached us, we didn't know anything about them," said Mr. Jim Miller, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal. This situation is only being allowed for softball, said Mr.Miller. "Central Christian doesn't have a softball team, that's why they approached us for the co-op because they wouldn't have anywhere else to play," said Miller. Both teams sent information down to a state ruling board where a six-person board voted on whether or not the co-op would be allowed.
There are mixed reactions on the combined team from Marian softball players. "It doesn't bug me, I don't really care either way," said Varsity player, junior Jodie Rhylander.
"I like the girls, but I don't think that it's fair when we have 60 of our own girls, that they couldn't combine with another team," said sophomore Reserve player, Laura Pfeifer.
Throw in a new Varsity coach, Mr. Shawn Semler who also coaches at College of St. Mary's and you've got fresh new look in Marian's softball program.