This year will mark the return of Hammond varsity softball. It was discontinued last year due to lack of interest, and had nearly died out, but Ken Beasley, the new coach, worked the phones himself calling dozens of Hammond families to spark some interest again. The result was a total of 26 players participating this year. For Beasley, the reinvigorated program poses a unique challenge.

"We have some players that have some experience and some players without experience, " he says.

Despite the diversity of experience, team members should be able to rely on their tremendous work ethic to see them through what will probably be some tough times.

"I want our team to be more competitive; that is my goal," Beasley says.

Beasley will look to seniors Jenny Priester and Katherine Dobbs to provide the experience. Both girls are previous letter winners. The other senior, Elizabeth Davidson provides much needed depth, despite her lack of experience, and is projected to start.

While Beasley doesn't have a lot of upperclassmen to look to, it is the sophomore class that may be the foundation for the future. Parker Herring and Caroline Harris are returning players. They are joined by first year player Helen Walkup and first year Hammond student Grace Cobbs.

While the expectations for this year's team may not be very high, it should be an entertaining year as Coach Beasley attempts to lay a foundation for the future.