WHEATLAND – In the inaugural year of softball and last year, one of the greatest opponents for the newly sanctioned girls’ softball team has been the weather and the lack of exterior practice time.

While the weather holds, the team set up a preseason clinic help get a jump on the upcoming practice season which began on Monday.

Last Saturday, the Wheatland High School girls softball team hosted their first softball clinic for youth players. The clinic was held in the Wheatland High School main gym and girls from second grade to eighth grade were invited to participate in the skills-based day.

“To begin the day, everyone participated in a whole group warm up with current team members and worked on throwing technique prior to moving onto group activities,” WHS softball coach Jodie Fitzwater said. “Participants were separated into groups based on their ages and abilities. Each group rotated through four stations that included infield, outfield, hitting and base running/sliding activities.”

As each group rotated through each station, they participated in a variety of drills tailored to their particular age and skill level. To end the day, players participated in a wiffle ballgame with the entire group in which teams were equally created with the various aged participants and current WHS Softball players.

Many of the younger players were paired with current players as they were encouraged to try new positions.

“The coaches and players are thankful for all of the participants that were able to make it to the clinic,” Fitzwater said. “We all had a great time interacting with all the participants and are excited to see them grow into future WHS Lady Bulldog softball players.”