As the days grow longer and the weather grows warmer, Newsome’s softball team is preparing for their long awaited return to the diamond. With the conclusion of tryouts in Jan., athletes are gearing up to make the 2024 season a great one. 

   “Everyone is getting prepared on their own teams,” said Riley Watson, Newsome senior and catcher for the team. “Some of us have gotten together to practice before tryouts,” she added.  Since the summer and fall months have come to a close, athletes are making the shift from their respective travel teams to come together for the spring season. To make the transition as seamless as possible, players have started to condition together, with a specific focus on arm strength. “The team is doing arm care to prepare for everything and loosen everyone up for tryouts,” said Nicole Rivera, a senior and pitcher for the team, emphasizing the importance of a trained arm when it comes to success in the pitching circle.                                                                     Other positions are also working to ease themselves into the season with a tailored combination of exercises. “We all workout individually consisting of field work, lifting, running, and hitting,” said Cece Diaz, a senior and middle infielder for the team. “As a team, we’ve done arm care together where we throw and get conditioning in,” she added. The offseason has players in every position from the pitching circle to the outfield working on their technique in order to ensure coordination on the field. While the sport does focus on some individual performance, effective communication between team members is what will make the group unstoppable in the months to come.  

   Overall, the team is extremely excited for the season ahead. As the countdown to the first pitch begins, anticipation is growing exponentially among students and athletes. “I’m excited for the season to start because of my sisters,” Watson said. “I love our bonds that we make over the season and all the moments we have together,” she added, perfectly encapsulating the sense of camaraderie that makes the game so special. 

   For these players, softball is not only a sport, but a shared lifestyle that fosters friendships that extend beyond the field. “I can’t wait to see how the team comes together,” said Diaz, who will be competing in her fourth and final season on Newsome’s team. “I think we’re gonna have a fun season,” she added.