Soft hands are crucial for any good softball team. The ability to field a sizzler off the infield, transfer to the throwing hand and whip an accurate toss over to first can make or break a team’s performance. The softball team spends a lot of time developing their hands in practice, in games and year-round preparing for a big season, but the softball team also sees the importance of their hands as a team and as sisters in Christ.
“We wear burn bracelets year-round as a team,” sophomore Sophie Kent explained. The players use a special type of cord that can be sealed together by burning the tips with fire until the two ends forge. It’s a permanent reminder of team unity and team inclusion that holds a special place in the hearts of many teammates. In this way, every player on the team is united by a cord wrapped around their wrist.
The players also join hands after every practice to pray as a team and offer up thanks to the Lord for the joy that is softball. After each game the girls join hands with the opposing team, win or lose, to pray together and show unity amongst opponents. It is through the power of open and inviting hands that the softball team seeks to make an impression that goes beyond seven innings. It is through united hands that the softball team attempts to shine a light wherever they go.
Last Friday, the team traveled to the city for a heated double header against North Park in which they lost the first game in the 10th inning, but then snuck out the second in a big 3-2 victory. Wednesday night, the girls traveled to Kenosha and dropped both games to Carthage as sophomore Kelly Thornton scored the Thunder’s only run in 10 total innings.
This Thursday, the girls travel to Hyde Park to battle the Maroons of the University of Chicago hoping to avoid a third consecutive mercy rule. So far soft hands have not been enough to garner more than a 5-21 record, but the Thunder continue to open their hands game in and game out to promote unity and spread joy through softball.