Observer softball team swings into action

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Ten-year-old Jordan Schmucker couldn’t contain her enthusiasm after her coach handed her a red softball T-shirt last month.

It was in that moment that the Willis Elementary fourth-grader learned she would be playing for the Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team.

“I was happy and excited because people could know what we like to do; and we could have fun,” said Schmucker, who pitches for the Observer team.

Schmucker’s teammate Tiffany Thomas, 9, also was excited about the opportunity to represent the newspaper while also getting a chance to play with some of her travel ball teammates.

“I was happy,” Thomas said. “I was like, ‘Oh yay!’ because we can see ourselves in the newspaper.”

The Observer softball team, which comprises 11 girls, began practicing last month and opened its season Feb. 26. The team is undefeated through four games so far this season, having outscored its opponents 50-21.

“We’re getting better and better as it goes on,” Thomas said. “If we do something wrong, our coach (Kevin Callans) tells us what to do, and we do it over in practice.

“We all work together, and we have fun doing it,” Thomas said.

Schmucker agreed.

“We’ve been working together and getting outs,” Schmucker said.

The Observer softball team opened up its season with a 14-11 victory over Bogey’s Feb. 26. The team followed up its Opening Day victory with a 14-4 victory over Dr. Tomeo and an 11-0 shutout over Falkner Farms.

Most recently, the Observer softball team defeated Fidelity Investments 11-5 March 19.

“They play together as a team,” Callans said. “They’re not afraid. This is the first time they’ve had a pitcher, so getting over the fear of facing a live pitcher is something that can be (difficult), and they’ve gotten over that.”

Callans, who coached the 10U Observer softball team last fall, asked to coach the team again this spring.
This year, the team is a mix of former Observer team players, travel ball players and a few players who are new to the sport.

“There are a lot of new girls to the team,” Callans said. “It’s always fun to see the different interactions of the kids. Putting that together is always fun.”

The girls, who play twice a week, will continue playing through April 19 with the hopes of extending their perfect season.

But for Callans and the rest of the coaching staff, the main focus is on making sure the girls have fun playing a sport they love — which hasn’t been a problem thus far for a team of pranksters and practical jokers.

“I just want them to have fun,” Callans said. “If we win that’s just an added bonus. They like to have fun though, which makes being out here that much more fun.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].