Barking Points: Eighth Grade Contributions to Baseball and Softball

There is a common pattern of behavior in successful people. Olympic athletes, knowledgeable philosophers, and leaders of any kind share similar characteristics: dedication, discipline and drive. It was recognized earlier this spring that LRMS and LRHS baseball and softball teams are yearning for success; in order to most effectively strive towards their goal of building, achieving and maintaining more successful programs, a group of eighth grade baseball and softball athletes are contributing their dedication, discipline and drive to both the high school and junior high teams. With a widely distributed passion for the game, middle school players, upper-classmen from high school, and coaches are pleased with the teams’ progress and continue to improve each day.

Eighth grade baseball and softball players are benefiting strongly from the arrangement. The maximum amount of games any player (of any age) can participate in throughout a regular season is 20; between the high school and junior high schedules, eighth graders can stretch their eligibility over 12 high school games and still play a full schedule of eight games with LRMS. Transitioning from junior high to high school ball and back is a test of adaptability, and is increasing eighth graders’ skills through more experience.

Easton Nelson, eighth grade baseball player, explained that he feels great playing on both teams because he can work on what he needs to in middle school, and in high school, he can learn even more. “I love playing on high school,” he said.

Emily Rosen, eighth grade softball player, said, “I believe

has not only influenced our skills, but also the way we treat other teams. Doing so has greatened our chances of success for future years to come!”

The eighth graders playing up started a chain of team bonding and leadership evident throughout both schools. The eighth graders are leading the LRMS baseball and softball teams and making relationships with the teammates younger than them as the more experienced upper-classmen in high school are leading the eighth grade players.

“We’re getting along great, I think,” said eighth grade softball player Alarah Pierce-Pulliam. “… All of the older girls are really accepting of us being younger and coming up as eighth graders.”

Eighth grade softball player Alisha Baker said, “We’re working together as a team; we’re coming together.”

Pulliam continued, “We’re also very open to our captains. Jana [Mattox] and Raeann [Hoeft] do a great job—they’re great role models.”

The season is also going well in the eyes of the coaches. Paul McAnally, head coach of LRHS softball, said, “The key will be are the girls having fun! If the answer continues to be yes, then Bronco softball has a very bright future.”

Bronco baseball coach, Jason Aldrich, explained, “It’s going to be different for each [eighth grader] as to what the benefits will be, but I’m thinking that building relationships, connections with the upper-classman who are good role models, good leaders… I’m hopeful it’s just another opportunity to learn.”

The eighth grade baseball and softball players are benefiting greatly from playing on two teams, making for strong seasons for both the Bulldogs and the Broncos!