Before the first pitch is thrown and before the bleachers are filled, preseason is where it all begins. Long practices, early mornings, and conditioning drills push players to rebuild their strength, sharpen their skills, and reconnect as a team. For high school athletes like Kinzey King and Maya Cox, the softball preseason isn’t just about getting back on the field; it’s about setting the tone, building chemistry, and creating new relationships.

“I just love the community and the fun that it brings,” King said. “The bloopers that happen during practice. When people make funny mistakes or trip and fall.”

While having fun is a part, it’s not all there is to softball.

“We got a new assistant coach, and he’s been doing literal drills with us. Instead of just pop flies and ground balls being hit straight to you, so it’s helping us with our footwork,” King said.

What used to feel like routine now feels deliberate, as each drill is meant to sharpen the players’ skills.

“I feel like we are a little bit more intense with it. Like, we’re actually purposeful with it,” King said. “We’ve been doing a lot more, arms rather than just legs and weights, which is good for us.”

Beyond performance, the team’s unity stands out in how they’ve included the new additions.

“The seniors do a really good job of including them [new players] in whatever we’re doing, and we also ask them a bunch of questions,” King said.

The team builds strong connections with one another, with time built into practice to let loose and have fun.

“We have time before and after just to mess around and play around with each other and get to know one another,” King said.

Even though the sport brings excitement and energy, there’s a mental battle that unfolds before players even step onto the field.

“Since they’re [preseason practice] technically optional, the mental part of, like, oh yeah, I am gonna go, versus, just being like no, I’m gonna go sit in my bed,” King said

Beyond physical preparation, the players are bringing in a positive mindset and determination to play their best every day this season.

“I’m carrying in a really good mindset, I’m gonna do my best, and I’m gonna try really hard this season. Last season, I feel like I joked off a lot more, and this season I’m definitely gonna try harder, and I’m gonna do my best,” Cox said.

Despite the challenges that come with preseason, Cox’s excitement about one key aspect stands out.

“Whenever we get to start going out on the field, because that’s whenever it gets serious and it’s really fun,” Cox said.

After weeks of preparation, the excitement and anticipation shift toward the thrill of competition and tournaments.

“I’m really excited to start our games. We have this tournament thing in April. It’s like two days, and we are going somewhere that’s pretty far away, like we’ll stay in a hotel,” Cox said. “It’s gonna be

really fun.”