If NBC and the WWF ever wanted to experiment with moving in the fences and playing softball without an outfield, this year's installment of the Free State High softball team might be the perfect guinea pig.
"I'm long on infielders," fourth-year FSHS coach Pam Pine said, "and kinda short on outfielders and catchers. People are going to have to be playing different positions."
The Firebirds open today with a home doubleheader against Leavenworth. Weather permitting, the twinbill is slated for 3:30 p.m. at the FSHS field.
Last year Free State struggled through a 2-19 campaign including 17 consecutive losses to end the season with both wins coming against the Pioneers. Previously, the Firebirds finished 3-18 (in 1998) and 5-16 (1999).
The key to success for this year's squad will be trying to find a replacement for former Firebird Emily Frank.
"We're pretty young this year," Pine said. "I lost Emily Frank last year, who hit the ball well she hit .350 for me so those will be big shoes to fill. I have a lot of experience back. I have Caitlin Wisler and Sara Katich, who are both seniors this year who started with me as freshmen."
After outfielder/third baseman Wisler and third baseman/catcher Katich, senior pitcher Ann Leiker is the only other senior. All told, Free State's roster boasts five juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen including Lacey Baxter and Lauren Abney, who'll both likely be starting.
Around the horn, the Firebirds have sophomore first baseman Meika Potter who started as a freshman Baxter at second, Katich at third and junior Amy Vormehr at shortstop.
Leiker and junior Kasey Asher will shoulder the majority of the pitching workload.
"Pitching, we're a little slim," Pine said. "Ann has pretty good control, but she doesn't throw the ball real hard. So we've been working a lot on placement of pitches. Kasey throws a little bit harder, but has a little bit more trouble with control.
"We're trying to find a happy medium."
In addition to Wisler, junior Katrina Morriss probably will start in the outfield, Pine said.
Free State has just four regular starters back from last year's squad. But while the Firebirds might lack experience, they own an abundance of optimism.
"I remember my very first year we were young and didn't have very much softball experience," Pine said. "Now those girls (who were freshmen) are seniors this year and they have a lot more experience. It's nice to come out to practice and you can tell them to do something and they know what they're supposed to be doing.
"I couldn't ask for a better group of girls. They're really hard workers, fun to be around and willing to do what I ask them to do."
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