Wednesday, August 16, 2006

SOFTBALL ALUM LORI HALL NAMED LCHS HEAD SOFTBALL COACH

The Dahlonega Nugget by Stephen Fairbanks

New Lumpkin softball coach Lori Hall knows something about winning.

In college at North Georgia College & State University, she was part of four straight conference champions.

When she took over for the Lady Indians early this summer, she brought a community assistant coach with her from her days at North Georgia.

Danielle Rainey was a dominant pitcher for the Lady Saints during that same four-year run.

So far, it appears that these two new coaches are getting the most out of their players on the field, according to three of the most experienced returnees for Lumpkin.

Seniors Casey Parker and Brittney Chester have started since their sophomore years for the Indians, and both were excited about their new coaches.

Parker said, “I like them a lot. They have fun, but are still serious, and they expect a lot out of us.”

Chester, a talented pitcher and outfielder, was especially happy to have Rainey on board, and she and her fellow pitchers have learned a great deal from the coach.

“She explains it really well,” said Chester of the art of pitching. “She helps us with our forms and with different kinds of pitches.”

During any given practice session, coach Rainey can be heard repeating her mantras, “bend your knees, snap your wrists.”

Chester attested to the fact that she hears that all the time. Even Parker admitted to overhearing coach Rainey while she was on other parts of the field and hearing that very same thing.

Sophomore catcher Morgan Chapman, who stepped right into a starting role as a freshman last year, was enthusiastic about coach Hall and coach Rainey.

“I think they're awesome!” effused Chapman. “They make us better by encouraging us.”

Parker echoed the encouragment remark, and noted that Hall's goal for the team is for them to go to state, but the means of doing so will be simply winning one game at a time.

Another thing all three players agreed upon was that Hall's ‘three-second rule' has had a positive impact on the team.

That rule means that any player who makes a mistake, be it an error, bad throw, or poor at-bat, has three seconds to shake it off and get back in the swing of things.

Her teammates play a crucial role in making sure that rule works toward a positive outcome on the field.

This Friday, fans and parents will get to see the new team first hand when they take the field in the Lanier Point Invitational in Gainesville.

Parker, Chester, and Chapman agreed that good things are on the horizon for this team.

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