Setting their sights on future success, Clarkston’s inaugural eighth grade softball team finished its season earlier this month with a 6-4-1 record. The girls earned second place in the Waterford Spring League.
The girls learned the same skills as the high school varsity team, to help prepare them for the future, only a year away. They started by learning some of the small things.
‘It’s a blast watching them progress and giving positive recognition. I would love to see these girls get into the varsity level and make it,? coach Jim Altene said.
‘My goal was to teach the basics to get started.
‘I didn’t realize the kids would learn as quickly as they did. I spoke with parents at the beginning of the season and I said, ‘I’m not looking to win games, I’m trying to teach them basics they will need in high school.
‘They’ve improved 200 percent. The first time we practiced, we knew we had a lot of basics to teach. Now they know exactly where they need to go and what to do.?
Altene learned the game by playing baseball and followed softball as his daughter, Sarah, 13, began her career at age 8. Jim Altene stepped in to coach Sarah’s travel league tournaments and his position as skipper was set.
‘I’ve always loved the game and when my daughters became old enough, I began playing the game with them,? Altene said.
Mark Reeves, who coaches the Michigan Stars travel softball team, also coached the Wolves. Clarkston softball coach Don Peters encouraged Altene to head the program, an idea Altene segued into Sarah’s high school career. Altene called upon Reeves for assistance.
‘Ever since Don Peters came to the program, he’s been encouraging girls younger and younger to get started,? Altene said.
‘He’s been hands off because he’s been involved with the varsity team’he’s got enough confidence in the two of us to teach the basics.?
Reeves, who has been with the Stars for six years, took additional training over the winter at a conference he attended with Peters. Reeves estimated the girls had at least doubled their talent in the time the season took place.
‘I was hoping they would take off like this. When we had tryouts, it looked like we had a lot of teaching to do. They took to it real quick,? Reeves said.
‘They’re really impressing me, I’m really proud of how they’re doing. It’s been real nice seeing them get better.?
The girls? tenacity showed through during team practice.
‘When we do fielding drills, they don’t want to quit. They just want to keep on practicing. They’re like a sponge, soaking everything up,? Reeves said.
Ultimately, Reeves agreed with Altene, the girls? biggest mission this season was to learn and have a positive outlook on the game.
‘That’s the biggest thing we’re trying to teach them, how to play the game and have fun. It seems to be working that way,? he said.