An Interview with Head Softball Coach Wally Warner

Q. Softball is one of the most fun sports to watch. It is so fast. When I watch a pitcher, I cannot get over the speed of a pitch, along with the distance of the mound to home plate. It is much closer than baseball. You seem to have a good pitching staff this year. Is it just the speed of the pitch or do pitchers throw curve balls, sliders, and alike to be a successful pitcher? What are some of the key differences between a pitcher in baseball and softball? And is there one pitcher this year to look out for? 

Pitchers throw fastballs, change-ups, screwballs that act like a slider, curveballs rise and drop. Softball pitchers can throw every day; baseball players throw every 4-5 days. Softball pitcher's arms are used in a natural motion; baseball pitcher's arms go the opposite way causing more stress, hence the need for more rest. Pitchers to watch for are Kiley Ryan and Abbie Honkala.

Q: Last season might have been disappointing in the wins category, but your teams always play positively. What does a coach have to do to help a team be optimistic throughout a long season? I ask because your players always seem to be having fun playing the sport. 

You just keep it fun for the young ladies. Last year's team never gave up. We lost seven games by one run and five games by two. So, we were in most games - keeping a lot of games competitive. Being competitive is one of the most important parts of a season, helping players enjoy the game.

Q: Scots moving on to play at four-year universities seems to be a great legacy for your teams. Some moved on to play at Judson, Trinity, Indiana Tech, University of Wisconsin Lacrosse – is there a player on your current roster that has those aspirations? Or do you have players who love the game so much that playing in college for two years is the goal and to prosper academically is the true foundation? 

It's nice to see players progress in the sport, but some players are here to just play and have fun while some are trying to play at a four-year school, one that also fits their academic goals is usually the biggest driver.  Right now, do we have Abbie Honkala looking at Wisconsin Parkside.  

Q: Recruiting is a hard task when it comes to Community College sports. What are some of the strengths you have on this team for this season?

Molly Cook is a fun player and a power hitter. Jordan Morsi is a great player at third base bringing good defense and good hitting to the roster. Kiley Ryan brings us two powerful skills - she can be a productive pitcher and is a strong hitter who should help us out a lot.

Q: On a side note, a question I must ask, softball players love to chant slogans, songs, etc. Do players practice these before a season or does it just happen organically? Anyone who watches softball knows how loud, fun and respectful softball players are to their opponents, but wow the chants make this sport more engaging and fun for a spectator. 

When a team gels, they just have fun with all aspects of the game, the more successful we play in a game the more we cheer each other on. Should be a fun season and hopefully a loud season. 

Q: What are the goals that you have set forth for this softball season? To have a winning season must be one, but are there some goals outside of that you have for this team, like a team batting average, team ERA, team steals, or do you have more macro goals, like winning 15 or more games?

Firstly, I hope to have an Academic All-American team with at least a 3.0 grade point average. 
Secondly, is for us to win the conference.
Thirdly, what is more fun than making the playoffs?
And lastly, what is better than having fun with the game we love? Maybe having fun is my last goal but that will be a big part of our measured success - if we love what we do it will reflect in how we play. Remember, "Respect All! Fear None." is our team motto. This motto will drive us all season.