2008 Woodie Awards
Weather putting spring schedule in jeopardy
Baseball and softball teams may feel the effects of harsh Eastern Iowa winter
Brian Heinemann and Ali Carlson
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Sports
With winter winding down and spring in view, the Kirkwood Community College softball and baseball teams are hoping to play on green grass and not the snow they have grown accustomed to once they return from warm-climate games over spring break.
Considering both fields have been buried under snow for several months, the big concern is for the teams to be able to play their first scheduled home games without having to cancel or delay.
Although it is typical for both the baseball and softball teams to practice indoors at the KCC Recreation Center until after spring break, this year's massive snowfalls have led to concerns about the start of the regular season. It has become hard for the athletes on each team to get the practice that they need for upcoming games.
Practicing indoors at a busy Rec Center creates several problems for the squads.
"Taking ground balls in here is easy," said softball shortstop Melissa Brackey. "There's no weird bounces and no strange hops to deal with. It's a lot different moving on dirt than on gym floors."
According to softball head coach Joe Yegge, there are more issues than just that.
"It's not just the surface issues," he said. "There are noises and distractions. Balls are bouncing on other courts, people are watching us and it sometimes makes it difficult to practice."
While Yegge said he believes the infielders will have the hardest time adjusting to being back out on a regular field due to the "unrealistic" nature of fielding off a hard surface, the outfield. Players on both teams will have quite an adjustment to make as well. The infield can be effectively set up in the confined spaces of the Rec Center but the outfield is left with little in the way of options.
"Our outfield coach throws the ball as high as she can," said center fielder Sheena Canady. "We really can't get the higher flies though. There's only so much we can do in here."
Tournament play for both teams starts during spring break when the baseball team travels to Oklahoma and softball travels to Pensacola, Fla.
Considering both fields have been buried under snow for several months, the big concern is for the teams to be able to play their first scheduled home games without having to cancel or delay.
Although it is typical for both the baseball and softball teams to practice indoors at the KCC Recreation Center until after spring break, this year's massive snowfalls have led to concerns about the start of the regular season. It has become hard for the athletes on each team to get the practice that they need for upcoming games.
Practicing indoors at a busy Rec Center creates several problems for the squads.
"Taking ground balls in here is easy," said softball shortstop Melissa Brackey. "There's no weird bounces and no strange hops to deal with. It's a lot different moving on dirt than on gym floors."
According to softball head coach Joe Yegge, there are more issues than just that.
"It's not just the surface issues," he said. "There are noises and distractions. Balls are bouncing on other courts, people are watching us and it sometimes makes it difficult to practice."
While Yegge said he believes the infielders will have the hardest time adjusting to being back out on a regular field due to the "unrealistic" nature of fielding off a hard surface, the outfield. Players on both teams will have quite an adjustment to make as well. The infield can be effectively set up in the confined spaces of the Rec Center but the outfield is left with little in the way of options.
"Our outfield coach throws the ball as high as she can," said center fielder Sheena Canady. "We really can't get the higher flies though. There's only so much we can do in here."
Tournament play for both teams starts during spring break when the baseball team travels to Oklahoma and softball travels to Pensacola, Fla.
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