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The Bainbridge Lady Cats Softball Clinic, organized in collaboration with the Bainbridge Recreation Department, brought energy and excitement to Field 8 at the Bill Reynolds Sports Complex on March 11th, 12th, and 14th. Led by Bainbridge softball staff and the talented Lady Bearcats, the clinic offered young athletes an invaluable opportunity to develop their softball skills, gain confidence, and learn from experienced players and coaches.

Over three action-packed days, participants were guided through drills designed to enhance every aspect of their game. From hitting and fielding and base running, the clinic emphasized both individual skill development and the importance of working together as a team. The Lady Bearcats served as mentors throughout the event, offering personalized tips and encouragement to the aspiring players. Their dedication and enthusiasm inspired the young athletes to push themselves and embrace the joy of the sport.

“The drills emphasized working on the fundamentals, working on throwing progressions at the high school,” Alaynie Bryant, Bainbridge Bearcats junior varsity softball coach said. “What I’ve seen with my coaching is a lack of proper mechanics when it comes to throwing, so I wanted to make sure our body position is correct and our hand placement was right, the small things.” 

The clinic also fostered a sense of community, drawing families, friends, and fans to cheer on the young players and support the growth of youth softball in Bainbridge. For many of the participants, it wasn’t just about improving their game—it was about forging connections with inspiring role models, building friendships, and falling even deeper in love with softball.

Each session was structured to ensure players of all skill levels felt included and challenged. Alongside skill-building exercises, participants engaged in hitting off the tee-ball, pitching, and fielding drills, which brought smiles, laughter, and a healthy dose of friendly rivalry to the field.

“We then split them into outfield and infield groups,” Bryant said. “On the infield I had them barehand tennis balls so they could get a feel of gripping the ball and throwing, getting them comfortable with watching the ball to their hand. As the clinic progressed we worked on rotating their back foot using our hips well at the plate.” 

As the final day wrapped up after the rain blew over, the field was alive with smiles and a sense of accomplishment. The young players departed with sharpened skills, cherished memories, and a renewed enthusiasm for the sport. The clinic left a lasting impact—a spark of inspiration that will continue to fuel the growth of softball in Decatur County for years to come.

“My goal for Decatur County for our recreational and high school, is involvement,” Bryant said. “I think we have a lot of girls that play in our rec department that necessarily don’t come to play at the high school, and I want to change that. It’s getting them familiar with our high school girls and getting them involved. The sports can be fun, but our rec department is a direct reflection of our high school softball program because those are future Bearcat lady softball players.”