Hodag softball battles spring break as season starts

Monday morning got off to a bit of a quiet start for the Rhinelander High School softball team as the Hodags began preparations for their upcoming season in the Hodag Dome.

Spring break within the School District of Rhinelander was the reason the team was able to have their practice done by 9:30 a.m. much of this week, but it was also the reason there were not that many bodies in attendance. Head coach Ali Bender estimated that nearly a third of her team was out on break and, with a low roster count to begin with, that left only 10 to 11 girls at practice for much of the opening week.

“Every team’s seeing what we’re seeing. We’re all at the same disadvantage as far as spring breakers being gone,” she said. “It was awesome to see a lot of these girls at open gym ... so, just bringing it now into practice, it felt good.”

Bender (nee Schickert), a former standout pitcher for the Hodags, sees the “co” moniker removed from her title this year. She will serve as the head coach of record for the squad. She shared those duties with Sadie Adamski last year. While Adamski — and virtually all of the coaching staff — returns from last season, Bender said having one head coach will be more efficient for the program moving forward. 

“We came into last year, a situation, where it was hard for girls to know who to go to,” she explained. “You kind of need that one person leading that one direction. Sadie and I have discussed this numerous times. Sadie’s doing a lot of the backseat things, helping out. (Doing) things head coaches would do. She’s a great assistant. I’m just going to take on that role of being in charge, talking with the coaching staff, talking with the girls, figuring out where each player fits best on our team and the role that they’re going to play. It’s going to fall on my shoulders now.”

    Lucy Lindner hits a wiffle ball during Rhinelander High School softball practice in the Hodag Dome Tuesday, March 18. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

The Hodags are looking to bounce back after winning only one game a season ago. Bender said there were plenty of lessons learned from that season which the team has applied going into this year. 

“Just building that respect, building that team morale,” she said. “This year, our vibe is kind of ‘All gas, no brakes.’ We’re practicing with a higher tempo so that way we’re just going down the game situations, practicing different things that, after reflecting on last year, is going to make a huge difference.” 

“Everything has a purpose,” Bender added. “We have a purpose this year. We’re not here to talk. We’re here to have fun but be competitive. I want to bring that competitive spirit. I’ve talked to the girls about less reps, but doing it proficiently. We’re doing it with a purpose.”

The Hodags don’t have a lot of time to prepare for opening day, which will take place next Saturday as the team hosts the final of three eight-team brackets in the 24-team Danny Mac Invite in the Hodag Dome. 

Bender said one of the biggest points of emphasis this week has been evaluating talent and starting to figure out roles for the team. Then the focus will shift toward getting ready to play three games next Saturday and Sunday. 

“We basically have to jump right into game situation,” she said. “My biggest thing is to just get our arms in shape, practice fielding those balls, practice the fly balls and then, next week, going into our defensive coverages, our offensive hitting, how we’re going to connect all the dots. Base running is a really big thing we’re going to focus on this week, one of the areas that we lack.” 

The Hodag softball team was the second of the spring to begin practice, under WIAA regulations. Baseball and girls’ soccer will begin practice this coming Monday, with boys’ tennis and golf starting March 31. 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].