As the winter is coming to an end and as spring is beginning baseball and softball start voluntary workouts after school to get ready for their season. The baseball and softball players have the opportunity to practice and lift to get stronger mentally and physically on their skills.

“It’s a good way for those of us that only play softball to keep up our skills and get us ready for the season,” said junior Lily Heinbach.

Voluntary practices to hit and lift are held at 2:45 after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for softball and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for baseball. On Mondays and Wednesdays softball pitchers and catchers practice after school.

On Fridays the baseball team has throwing practice. Tryouts are being held on Monday March 6th through Friday March 10th.

”I think the workouts are a great way to build chemistry with your teammates and coaching staff and a great way to prepare for the upcoming season,” said sophomore Avery Maroukis.

Many athletes consider having these voluntary off season practices as a way to communicate more with their teammates and the newcomers.

“I feel that coaches in all sports should offer some type of off season workouts to their athletes,” said Coach Rinaldo. “It provides an opportunity to the athlete to get stronger and quicker for their designated sport. It also gives an opportunity to work on their fundamentals and skills to enhance the athletes’ performance geared toward their designated sport.”

Even though these practices are voluntary, many athletes still show up to show their coach that they are determined to get better and they want to play. The coaches also look at who always shows up to the practices and the ones who barely go.

”The attendance at the voluntary softball open gyms have been well attended,” said Rinaldo. “Those that have been attending are doing an excellent job!”