Schuylkill League throws out first pitch at baseball, softball media day
Softball players line up to have their photos taken Sunday at the 1st Schuylkill League Softball Media Day at Pottsville Area High School's Wellness Center. (Photo by Bob Lipsky)
POTTSVILLE — Spring was in the air Sunday at the 1st Schuylkill League Baseball and Softball Media Day at the Pottsville Area High School Wellness Center.
Following the lead of the highly successful Schuylkill County Football Coaches’ Association Media Day, preseason gatherings were held for wrestling and boys’ and girls’ basketball in the winter season. Now, for the spring, baseball and softball have joined the party, promoting their athletes and their respective sports while generating excitement for the games to come.
Official preseason practice began March 3, so the coaches have had a week to take a look at their teams. Well, most coaches. The Schuylkill Haven, Marian, Williams Valley and Lourdes girls’ teams are still competing in the PIAA Basketball Championships.
Nevertheless, optimism was abundant as the coaches brought some of their top players and leaders to meet the media, have photos taken and get interviewed on their thoughts about the season, which, weather permitting, will get under way Friday.
“It’s great. I think that it’s good that all the guys can come out, talk and get nice publicity before the season starts,” Blue Mountain senior Aidan Grace said.
The baseball media day started the festivities at 2 p.m., with the softball media day taking center stage at 4 p.m.
Coaches brought rosters and schedules and did interviews with the various media outlets in attendance. Everybody wore game jerseys or other gear representing their respective school.
“I think this is so cool just to get everyone together and recognize softball because I think years before we didn’t get enough recognition, and for this year to finally have some type of recognition is super fun and super cool,” Pine Grove junior center fielder Callee Leffler said. “We’re so excited. We have a really good group of girls returning this year, so our first week of practice went really good. So we’re super excited for this season.”
The Wellness Center is the former girls’ gym at Pottsville High. It was recently refurbished with a green artificial turf floor with a big Crimson Tide logo in the middle. A bright lighting system was installed, and heavy screens cover the windows to protect an errant throw or batted ball from causing damage. Suspended from the ceiling are two batting cages, which can be lowered and used at the same time.
Pottsville baseball coach Mike Welsh said that his team uses both batting cages simultaneously, one with live pitching and the other utilizing a pitching machine. Pottsville’s weight room is also nearby, enabling some athletes to get their swings in while others do their strength training. The batting cages can be raised to the ceiling, making room for various infield and outfield drills.
