YES!!! Softball is Back!!!

YES! Girl’s Softball has returned to Redlands. Finally after 3 years of wearing the ill-fated Red jersey of the Cardinals, Brianna is currently wearing the Black and Orange trimmed jersey of the Giants (Hiss! Go Dodger Blue!).
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Brianna has played with the number 8 emblazoned on her back twice and last year had the number 18. As a Giant Brianna’s number drops down one notch and she now sports the Lucky #17 in her fourth season with RBY (Redland’s Baseball/Softball for Youth). Be sure to follow her softball exploits by reading this fantastic, informative, sometimes controversial, and always entertaining Blog.
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After two dismal seasons, Brianna has an excellent field manager with Lori Best aided by Coach Bill Cox. Lori appears to be Brianna’s best manager since her Rookie year with Manager Rick Mancha. Brianna’s second season team was winless during regular play but pulled off a Miraculous First Place finish in the Redlands softball season end intra-team tournament. The tag team managing of Kathy and Chris and countless hours of batting practice enabled Brianna’s second year team to end that season with Redlands Intra-team Tournament Champion trophies.
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Last year was forgettable with the infamous managing of Victoria What’s-Her-Name. But, that third season had Brianna reunited with the hard throwing Right-handed pitcher Courtney (Shortney) Delcid. Courtney was also a teammate from Brianna’s Rookie season. Courtney over the years as developed from a journeyman reliever and spot starting hurler into accomplished underhanded pitcher. What Courtney lacks in pitching speed, she more than makes up in fielding and bulldog tenacity.
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Courtney fortunately is again teamed with Brianna this season. Brianna hopefully will be playing first base, some out field, and possibly some relief pitching. Brianna tried her hand at pitching her second year with a little success. Her third season had Brianna pitching as the first or second pitcher in relief. But by season’s end Brianna’s role had diminished to being used as the third pitcher out of the bullpen. I don’t think it was lack of skill but the misuse of Brianna and the inability of Victoria to let Brianna develop her pitching skills.
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Brianna’s natural position seems to be first base. Her glove work is much improved but Brianna has a slight weakness in fielding grounders. Brianna has an especially bad time fielding a ground that is hit between her and the first base line. Her speed makes an ideal center fielder but she has a tendency to not pick the ball off the bat. Brianna will then sometimes misplay the fly play ball hit her way. The current Giant outfielders need to work on getting the ball to the cut-off man.
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Currently the Giants sport a two lose and only one win record. But strong pitching from Courtney and some better defense should have these Giants in most of their games. If you can’t make the games read this Blog for more funfilled Giant updates.

Next installment: The Further Adventures of Ryan the Wonderboy. Edited 3/14/05 ;-) GC