Softball was introduced in 1887 as a faster- paced baseball. Since it is important for players to be quick on their feet, coaches play a vital role in winning games. Here at Manheim Township, the softball team is led by head coach Terry Bender, who answered five questions that reveal the training behind the Blue Streak softball team.

Q: What skill do you mostly prioritize during practice?  

A: While there are many skills to work on, we always work on various types of fielding and hitting skills.

Q: What types of drills do you do in practice?  

A: Practice drills usually consist of some infield and outfield drills individually and together, followed by hitting drills which consist of tee work, side toss and front toss. We will also do base running drills and a form of inter-squad games to replicate live play.

Q: How much conditioning do you do as a softball player?

A: Conditioning is primarily done in the off season. We will run indoor conditioning during our open gym times as well as weight training. As for the regular season, base running is the conditioning we use. I don’t necessarily like to have the players run just to run. We like to tie in a softball need such as baserunning or outfield drop stepping.

Q: How long is each practice, and how many times a week do they practice?

A: During the off-season we have two optional open gyms per week which are each two hours long. During the season we practice Monday to Friday, 3:30 to 5:30, unless there is a game. These are not optional.

Q: How do players stay loose in practice and in games?

A: The best way to prevent injury is to properly stretch before practice.  We have our seniors lead the team in various dynamic stretches.