Baseball, softball teams battle weather in first week

Written by Derek Harryman | 22 February 2010

By Derek Harryman
Sports Editor, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Area baseball and softball teams could officially have begin practice on Monday, but Mother Nature didn’t want to cooperate. Snow early in week limit the time teams could be on the practice field.
CCHS baseball coach Chase Jones was quick to admit that conditions have been less than favorable for practice, but says his team is where it needs to be after one week of practice.

“The weather did not cooperate but everybody is in that same boat we are in so we are okay.  We are fortunate enough to have the facilities that we have so that rain, sleet, snow or shine we are able to get things done. The first two days we were inside and were able to work on the things that we needed. It really didn't hurt being in the gym the first two days because it was a lot of learning,” Jones added. “Today (Thursday) was our second day on the field. For this time of year and the weather that we have had, I feel good about what we have been able to get done in the first four days of practice.”
Jones’ team will travel to Murfreesboro Saturday for a scrimmage against Riverdale. The scrimmage will begin at 11 a.m. and the teams will play 21 innings.
“We are going to play 21 innings, 14 or so with the varsity. There are some kids on the j.v. who are competing for varsity positions so basically we are going to just play 21 innings,” said Jones. “Riverdale will be a good bench mark to find out where we stand. You don’t really know until you get out there against some competition and that is going to tell us where we are at right now.”
CCHS softball coach Terry Floyd says he feels good about where his team is after getting to practice on the field Wednesday and Thursday, but admits he was a little worried after the team’s annual Midnight Madness had to be canceled.
“I was worried after we missed midnight madness, but we got in two days on the field and we are on schedule as far as putting plays and different situations in and working on our first and third plays and things like that. The weather hasn’t really effected us as far as where we need to be. After tonight's practice (Thursday) I feel like we can go into the inter-squad scrimmage Saturday and everyone will know what they are doing. We have a very young team - we have a few key players hurt. The outlook is promising but we will have to wait and see as the season goes.”
Tullahoma softball coach David Caldwell said his team has not been so lucky.
“We haven’t been able to get on the field yet so we are a little behind. Our field is hard to get ready so we are used to that. I think the baseball team was able to get on the field a couple days but we have been working inside all week. We are fortunate to have a place where we can hit indoors, however.”