By Bryce Romig
To gear up for the 2013 season, the softball team has tweaked their conditioning to get them ahead of the game. They have adapted their routines to help develop the muscles used in softball.
“This year is more specific to the muscles we use in softball. In the past, we’ve mainly just run,” said junior Caroline Cato.
After a winning season last year, they have pushed themselves even harder in their conditioning. Their coaches target more specific areas of muscle that will help them gain speed and agility.
“I didn’t expect the conditioning to be so intense this year. We focus a lot on our core and obliques now,” said freshman Lindsay Sparrow.
Veteran members have also noticed the step up in intensity this season.
“We engage our cores a lot to help us do things like round the bases faster,” said junior Morgan Harper.
With the upcoming season drawing closer, the length and frequency of the practices are also increasing.
“Tuesdays are strength days where we lift. Thursdays are cardio and agility. Saturdays are a mixture of both with hitting in the cages at the end,” said Cato. “We condition for two hours, three days a week,” she added.
Many new freshmen have joined the team, and are taking to the newly improved conditioning well.
“In my travel team we mainly focused on running, this year at FC we focus more on agility and strength training that will help us win games and improve our endurance. All of my new teammates have been so welcoming,” said Sparrow.
The previous year, conditioning was focused on getting them fit and healthy for the season. The new conditioning exercises have been changed to specifically help them make gains in softball.
“This year is different because everything we do ties into softball. It isn’t always more challenging, but helps us win games,” said Cato.
With more core engaged and targeted exercises, the end results should help send them all the way to another successful season.
“I hope to have another winning season this year and make it out of regionals,” said Harper.
