You might have the misconception that softball is a quiet sport, but from the “whack” of a successful hit to the soft pound of cleats against sand, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, these sounds only scratch the surface of the complex auditory experience of an Enloe softball game, starting with “All right, let’s play ball!” at the beginning and ending with “Good game!” after the last inning.
When you’re at an Enloe softball game, you have a front row seat to watch the action and hear the players. With the bleachers standing only a few feet away from the dugout and home plate, softball creates an incredibly immersive experience.
One significant component of the sounds of the sport is how the players talk to each other. At the warm-ups before the game begins, calls of “Good!” are frequently repeated, creating an uplifting atmosphere. Numbers are also shouted to coordinate throws from player to player. During games, the teammates continue to encourage each other, saying “You got it” to the pitcher and “Good hold” when a batter doesn’t swing on an invalid pitch.
Surprisingly, the players are louder when they’re in the dugout than on the field. Even when they aren’t actively playing, the players continue to pay close attention as their teammates go up to bat. This is exemplified by the exuberant “dugout chants.” Co-captain Avery Modlin says, “[The chants are] one of my favorite parts of the game. I feel like it helps you stay in the game so much more when you have to focus on who’s up to bat. … My favorite ones are the personalized ones. We have a lot of ones we come up with originally that we do for certain girls.” With their loud claps and energetic cheers, the teammates inspire confidence in each other, in addition to making the game more interesting for the watchers.
These cheers reflect the strong bonds between the softball players. Because there isn’t a junior varsity team this year, the varsity team is larger than usual, but this hasn’t prevented them from forming a close-knit community. Sophomore Cailyn Davis describes how the players celebrate at the end of a victorious game: “We go to the pitcher’s mound, and … we all stand on the outside of the circle, and we hold hands and we jump inside, and it’s like, ‘we all did this together.’” Similarly, Avery shares, “I just love all of my teammates so much. … When you’re winning with some of your best friends, it’s so much better. … It’s like a big friend group.”
In addition to their relationships as friends, the players also have an understanding of how their different roles on the field contribute to the team as a whole. Coach Fields emphasizes, “When the [players] … are all doing something in unison together, strength grows from that unity.” Avery says, “[We understand that] our individual victories, while they might help the team, don’t make the game.”
The Enloe softball players don’t just have a strong community — they also have a winning season. Their record of 12-8 is nothing less than impressive and reflects the skill and dedication of the entire team. After making it to one round of the state playoffs last year, the team earned their place in the second round this year, improving on an already excellent track record.
A key reason for the softball team’s success is their leadership. One of the five coaches is a previous Enloe softball player, providing a unique voice among the staff. The three team captains are also dedicated to supporting the team. In Cailyn’s words, “They’ll make sure everyone’s together. If someone’s having a bad day, they’re always there for us.” Coach Fields also shares, “If the coaches are in charge, the team will only be good. If the players are in charge of what they’re doing, … that’s where great teams come from.”
Not only are the players talented, but they’re also continually working to grow their skills. Co-captain Ella Thompson explains, “I’ve seen a lot of improvement in our mentality and our confidence in the field and in the batter’s box.” Likewise, Avery says, “These girls are trying their very hardest and are getting better every single day.”
Although the players do an excellent job cheering for each other, they’re also very appreciative of encouragement from the stands. According to Coach Fields, “The players feel that energy. It allows them to work harder, fight harder, and show what we have.” Similarly, Ella encourages students to show out, saying, “People underestimate how fun [softball games] can be. … There’s always something to watch.” The softball field may be inconveniently located past the far side of the East Building, but students who are willing to make the trek will be rewarded with the opportunity to watch — and hear — this extraordinary team.
