The 'it' girls
An example of learning what to do on the ballfield at a young age

By Marhya Price, Sports Editor

June 18 — I recently traveled to Poteau to watch a coach-pitch girls softball team from Stigler, the Stigler Pink Panthers.

I was so impressed by this group of young girls that I really wanted to let everyone know what a great team the Pink Panthers are and that Stigler is being represented well.

The girls in this group are 7, 8 and 9 years old, and the majority of them have been playing T-ball together in Stigler for a couple of years.

Since there are no softball summer leagues in the Stigler area, the girls headed over to Poteau to join a summer league for their first year of playing softball. Each Friday they travel the 45 miles or so to Poteau to compete. Currently the Stigler Pink Panthers are in fifth place out of 17 teams.

This past Friday (June 12), the Pink Panthers took on the number one ranked team. And although they were defeated by five runs, the Pink Panthers were impressive.

I watched these young girls play with heart, passion and what I call the “it” factor.

Not just one, but many of these young ladies play with this “it” factor. They have that ability to just know what to do and know what a teammate is about to do. And they make it look easy.

I saw a young catcher with the ability to break as soon as the ball connected with the bat flip her helmet off and race to catch a foul tip behind her. Not an easy play, and she did it just like a pro.

I saw a shortstop who had the sense, although she got excited first, to catch a fly ball and then look around to check her runners and make the throw to first base for a double play.

I also saw a first baseman who probably impressed me the most. No matter where the ball was thrown, she knew where her bag was. She kept her foot on the bag and stretched out as far as she could before leaving the bag. I even saw her come off the bag to catch a short throw and dive back to her base to try to beat the runner.

I watched her go after a fly ball that was hit right over first base and, without even thinking about what to do, she picked up the ball, turned to look at the runner, and as the runner tagged first, the runner turned into the field, which makes her legal to tag. The first baseman knew that she had the right to tag her out, and she did.

Along with great defense, I watched some girls hit line drives to the outfield, while others got down in the dirt, slid under the opponent and didn’t give up until they reached the base.

Few young athletes have that “it” factor. It takes many years of practice to teach all the rules and the decision making (what to do in situations) of softball. These girls play as a team and are very respectful as they play.

If you want to watch some great ball players play great softball and you have the chance to make it to Poteau, go watch these young girls. The Pink Panthers are impressive, and Stigler is honored to be represented by the sportsmanship and athleticism of these girls.

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