THE UWF SOFTBALL TEAM CONTINUES TO PLAY WELL—IT'S NOT BY ACCIDENT

Coach Cyr uses a simple sign to direct Danielle Eloschuk to stay on Third Base after she arrives.  For those who haven't played the game, it's a favorite tactic to throw to a base in hopes of catching a runner rounding the base.   True, the runner could look over her shoulder to locate the ball, but this would slow her down.  She could also rely on looking at the fielder for a clue.  This leaves her open to a decoy tactic.


A skilled slide accomplishes the goal.

You can make softball and baseball  as complicated as you want.  However, the truth is, they are simple games.  Tony Perez used to say:  "See the ball, hit the ball."  There is a principle in the Law called Occam's Razor.  Basically, it says the simplest  explanation is probably the best.  These concepts fit softball and baseball—and probably most other sports, if not life in general.   Some coaches "over coach" to the point of appearing to tell their players they can't win on their own.  At UWF, they seem to save the skullduggery for keeping track of pinch running and pinch hitting situations.  There are few if any gimmicks.   Their athletes are smarter and more skilled every year.  And they keep winning.  Of course, it works when your coaches and players really are good and actually trust each other.  Players give and follow signs and signals.  They bunt and run  the bases.  They go all out.  They look like they are enjoying  what they do.  They look like they actually like each other.  I can't see a down side in any of this.  Someone will have to help me.

Head Coach Tami Cyr and Assistant Coach Cindie Corey



Caurie Miller attempts a tag at Second Base.  Question.  Is she afraid of anything on the softball
field?  She shows up over and over, risking collisions to make plays or diving to make stops.



There goes the "See the ball, hit the ball" theory.  Out of this whirl of gloves, legs and arms will
come a yellow blur.  In baseball, they'd change the rules to make Jillian Lafrance more hittable.


Freshman Kaley Kania reaches third.  A good baserunner, she eventually scored.



People like me, from a baseball background, will see this as an optical illusion or something. 
Logic tells me to stay as far back as possible to compensate for the great speeds at which
softball pitchers can "bring it."  Danielle Eloschuk somehow makes contact.



Nicole Barbee is another one of the good outfielders for the Argos.



Going all out on a routine play—Stephanie Ryan probably broke the fielder's concentration.  She later scored.



The scorebook will say Danielle Eloschuk reached on an error on the same play. 
Spectators know her all out effort kept a rally alive.  I suspect her teammates know it too!



Trish Pope is an athlete.  She can hit the ball...hard.  She can also get the job done at Third Base. 



We have more photos of these and other players we'll be posting soon.