Players Consider Softball Both “Super Fun” and “Competitive”

When passing through the field in front of the Caroline Saltonstall Gym, one might see the softball team practicing vigorously under the sun. As a small team, all fourteen softball members play on varsity, so both the tryouts and practices hold the players to high standards.

Varsity Softball Assistant Coach Amy Hickey mentioned that, during tryouts, she and Varsity Softball Head Coach RJ Maturo frequently look for players who have “experience, game IQ, [and] a high level of individual softball skills” in addition to “the player's potential to be developed over time, commitment to the program, and team-first mentality.” Similarly, Hickey also holds high expectations for the team members during practice. She noted that they “expect players to give maximum effort and be students of the game as a lot of our preparation is situational softball.” Throughout the season, both coaches hope that the player will grow not only individually but also with a clearer “understanding of the game.” Every practice, the two coaches prioritize “[building] confidence in our players while also emphasizing mental and physical toughness.” These demanding yet supportive environments, created during practices, remain fundamental in helping to shape the culture of Milton’s softball team every year.

For the season this year, Hickey stated that rather than the amount of games won or points scored, the team’s goal centers around a driven mindset and a strong spirit of competitiveness brought to each game, as they hope to “control the [as much as they can]” on the field.

During tryouts in the first week of the season, coaches often reflect their expectations for the players, with the structure of tryouts mimicking the style of usual practices. Rosalind Goodman ’29 revealed that, for both tryouts and practices, they begin practice by “warming up throwing and then rolling each other grounders.” Practice then progresses into hitting in stations, which, for both practice and tryouts, are held in the CSG during the beginning of the season; however, in warm weather, most practices would be moved outside onto the field in front of the CSG. For Goodman, experiencing Varsity level practices isn’t a new experience. Having started her softball journey in fourth grade, Goodman played “town softball until eighth grade and played for the Middle School team as well.” Looking into her future goals in the sport, Goodman remains unsure about her career in softball as she hopes to “prioritize academics in college, but if granted the opportunity [she] would continue to play softball.”

Like Goodman, many other athletes also juggle with how their athletic life fits not only into their high school career but also their life after school. Hannah Crowley ’28 commented not only on the joy she gets playing with her sister but that the team itself is a “super fun group.” Through constant practice, she believes the team has “grown into a competitive group.” For Crowley, softball isn’t her main sport: instead, unlike Goodman, she intends to pursue field hockey in college. Nevertheless, her softball experience will continue to remain an integral part of her journey.

Joining Varsity Softball this year, Sophia Chan ’29 compared the tryouts and practices from her own perspective. She mentioned that, during tryouts, if “players were specialized in a specific position, the coach would see them in that position.” Practices, on the other hand, seem to change day to day since there are many different roles and positions within the game. For Chan, her own softball experience began with baseball. In the seventh grade, however, she began to play softball, a sport she brought into her freshman year. Although most likely not continuing with softball after high school, Chan reflected fondly on her season so far: she commented that “[she] really likes the Milton softball community” and that “a lot of the players are really really good.”

As the season continues, Milton’s softball team will continue to build not only in their competitiveness and skill but also in their community. Simultaneously, the players will also be juggling with how their journey in softball here may or may not fit into their careers after high school.