USF VIDEO

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Photos below, top-to-bottom, L-to-R: 2015 Wesley Wolverines sophomore #18 C/3B Nina Marcano (Middletown, DE), sophomore #12 P/MI Lindsay Siok (Milford, DE), junior #6 MI Breanna Hartman (Red Bank, NJ), junior #25 1B Samantha Mahoski (Schenectady, NY).

BOUNCE BACK POWER

Post by Softball Smarts.

BOUNCE BACK POWER
From John Michael Kelly's Softball Smarts Facebook page.

"1. Having a short memory and focusing on the task at hand.  

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #18 C/3B
Nina Marcano (Middletown, DE)

"2. Framing mistakes as an opportunity to improve and learn from, rather than simply a judgment of worth.

"3. Recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect in the game of fastpitch.

"4. Maintaining 'big picture' thinking (in the big picture how important is one bat or one error?). Remember, mastery isn't achieved overnight!

"5. Preparing mentally for the inevitable mistakes or game results she doesn't like. It's not expecting mistakes, but preparing for them so the mental impact is minimal.

Wesley Wolverine sophomore #42 UT
Devin Mackay (Bangor, PA)

"6. Adopt a 'next pitch' mindset. No matter what happens she focuses all her energy on the next pitch ONLY.

"7. Remember any 'negative' event on the field only has the power she gives it. 

If she continues to place her energy on it the negative emotions will persist and most likely grow. The moment she 'lets go' and focuses on the 'next pitch' her emotional state and performance will improve."

MYRTLE BEACH LINKS

North Myrtle Beach: March 9-13
WESLEY WOLVERINES'
SOUTH CAROLINA TRIP LINKS

TOURNAMENT: Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, 
South Carolina

VENUE: Sports Parks and Recreation Complex,  
150 Citizens Circle, Little River, SC, near North Myrtle Beach, SC. (CLICK HERE for blog post about park.)

TEAM ACCOMMODATIONS: Avista Resort, 
300 North Ocean Boulevard, North Myrtle Beach, 
South Carolina. (CLICK HERE for blog post about hotel.)

WEATHER REPORTS: CLICK HERE for forecasts.
                     

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► SOFTBALL SCHEDULE◄   Wesley Wolverines versus

■ SUNDAY (3/8): 1:30 PM: Principia College Panthers  
(Field #1)

■ MONDAY (3/9) 9:30 AM: Suny Canton Kangaroos 
(Field #2) ■ 11:30 AM: Bay Path College Wildcats 
(Field #3)

■ TUESDAY (3/10) 11:30 AM: Penn State Berks Lions 
(Field #4) ■ 1:30 PM: Baptist Bible College Defenders  
(Field #5)

■ WEDNESDAY (3/11) 9:30 AM: Greensboro College Pride (Field #6) ■ 11:30 AM: Hilbert College Hawks (Field #5)

■ THURSDAY (3/12) 3:30 PM: Albert Magnus Falcons 
(Field #2)

■ FRIDAY (3/13) 11:30 AM: Cazenovia College Wildcats (Field #5).

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 FACEBOOK LINKS:

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH
■ North Myrtle Beach Recreation
■ Destination North Myrtle Beach
■ North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex
MYRTLE BEACH
■ Myrtle-Beach.com 
■ Myrtle Beach Visitors 
■ Broadway at the Beach
■ Things to do in Myrtle Beach, SC 
■ Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Post by Visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

VENUE CHANGED!

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Opener venue changed; Wesley to play 
at Gallaudet University, Washington DC

The Wesley Wolverines will NOT play their first game of the season at home this year. Weather and field conditions have forced a change in venue.

The opening date and opponent, however, have not changed.

The team's first doubleheader remains set for this Sunday, February 22, versus the Gallaudet University Bison with game times of 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

Now the Wolverines will travel to the Gallaudet softball complex at 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC. 
 
This also means the Wolverines will not be playing on dirt this weekend. Nor will they be on grass or indoors, either.
 
Instead, Wolverine spikes will be gripping a “FieldTurf DoublePlay Classic” synthetic field, which has been dubbed “ industry-leading engineering”. The artificial turf was installed from 2011-12 and completely covers the infield and outfield.

Gallaudet softball complex FieldTurf DoublePlay

The Bisons made this renovation as part of a move toward creating a world-class venue for improving recruiting and retention levels, decreasing games canceled by rain, and establishing a superior field for use in other endeavors.

The FieldTurf has been praised as being a covering that looks and feels real, while enjoying the benefits of significantly reduced water consumption as well as the environmental-friendly elimination of fertilizer and pesticides.

Gallaudet softball field, 800 Florida Avenue, Washington, DC

Gallaudet softball complex is perfectly symmetrical, extending 190’ down the lines and 202’ in straightaway center field. There's also a 20’-wide scoreboard and a double-pitcher bullpen. In the future, plans are to add sport lights, dugouts, a concession stand and a press box.

NCSA VIDEO

Jen & Katie Schroeder
NCSA video urges:
“Play sports in college”

“Be passionate about what you are doing," the video advises. 

"If you are passionate about anything you are going, you are going 
to succeed at whatever it is”

 

Hard work allows you to… “achieve whatever you want to achieve 
and now become whatever you want to become.”

Click here for the full story.

COLD WEATHER FAN

Ready for a cold opener?
Chilly weather checklist
for the softball spectator

Softball is played on a field hardly resembling a football gridiron, of course, but the weather for the Wesley Wolverines' early season schedule in the Mid-Atlantic area may make fans feel otherwise.

The weather forecast for this weekend's home opener on the Wesley College campus has fluctuated repeatedly in the past few days from first pitch predictions of a very cold 34 degrees up to a warmer 48 degrees. 

Check here for the latest AccuWeather.com forecast as we near the opening date: Sunday, February 22, doubleheader, 1:00 & 3:00 PM, Gallaudet Bison vs Wesley Wolverines on Reynolds duPont Softball Field, Dover.

If you plan to attend, you might want to throw a few extra pieces of cold weather gear in the car. It might prove useful for games well beyond this weekend, too.

A quick cold weather SOFTBALL FAN checklist...

√ WARM HANDS: Mittens work better than gloves, because they can share body heat & hand-warmers fit more easily inside them.

√ HAND-WARMERS: Inexpensive and can last for hours. If you have no gloves, keep hands clutched to hand-warmers inside your pockets.

√ HOODED SWEAT OR WARM HAT: Most body heat is lost through the top of the head. You might need more than a baseball cap!

√ LAYERED CLOTHING: Instead of the last layer, focus on the first layer closest to your skin. Avoid cotton, because it retains moisture, which attracts the cold. Wool is excellent first layer, but may irritate skin. Polypropylene (e.g. Under Armour) can be expensive, but works the best.

√ LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING: second and third layers, like sweaters or coats, not be so tight as to hinder good insulation.

√ PROTECTION FROM RAIN: don't forget an umbrella and rain jacket.

√ FOOTWEAR: Hiking boots best, especially if waterproof to block any moisture

√ SOCKS: ideal is two layers with thin fabric covered by wool socks.

√ WARM FOOD: pack a thermos with hot chocolate, soup, or noodles.

√ FOLDING CHAIR AND BLANKET. The home field's steel stands can be extra cold seat and they are set up behind third base where gusts of wind can make matters worse. A folding chair ensures a portable seat for a better view, while watching the game more comfortably. A blanket might be wise for those who particularly like it warmer.

PRESIDENTS DAY

Wesley Wolverines, top-to-bottom, left-to-right, junior #8 OF Steph Caracozza (Melbourne Beach, FL), sophomore #12 P/MI Lindsay Siok (Milford, DE), 
junior #32 C/3B Kayla Fromal (Middletown, DE), junior #25 1B  
Samantha Mahoski (Schenectady, NY), senior #11 OF Brook Creighton 
(Rock Hall, MD) and junior #22 C/UT Morgan Seymour (Smyrna, DE).

DIAMOND RULES

Add caption

NEXT SUNDAY

FIRST GAME: Sunday, February 22, doubleheader, 1:00 & 3:00 PM,  
Gallaudet Bison vs Wesley Wolverines on Reynolds duPont Softball Field, Dover.

HOME/ DOUBLEHEADER
Sunday, March 1
Wesley Wolverines @
Notre Dame (MD) Gators 

AWAY/ DOUBLEHEADER
Tuesday, March 3rd
Wesley Wolverines @
Swarthmore Garnet 
(Swarthmore, PA)



HOME/ DOUBLEHEADER
Wednesday, March 4th
Wesley Wolverines vs.
Lincoln Lions

CLICK HERE for the full 2015 season schedule.

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ASA VALENTINE

VALENTINE'S DAY

TRAMPOLINE PARK

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Post by Wesley College Softball.

MORE SUPERSTITIONS

MORE SOFTBALL RITUALS, SUPERSTITIONS

Posted at ASA USA Softball Facebook page

FRIDAY THE 13TH

1. TODAY: FRIDAY THE 13TH...

Facebook post shared may take several seconds to download below...

Post by ASA USA Softball.

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2. REPOSTED FROM LAST SUMMER:   
WESLEY WOLVERINE SUPERSTITIONS...

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Superstitious behavior?
Small rituals help relax, prepare
Wolverines before, during game

Nina & Lily "handshake"
with hands & feet!

Gaze around a Wesley Wolverines softball game in warmups, between innings, and during play for small rituals players repeat tirelessly to prepare themselves mentally for the game. It might be a high five between two teammates, a lone index finger and eyes pointed toward the sky, a hand simply touching a special necklace – or even an elaborate production that's appears straight out of a hokey pokey dance (see photo on right).

Sophomore C/3B Nina Marcano has mastered the most obvious to all synchronized rituals before every inning. You may find her and the pitcher kicking their feet up for a bizarre hand-to-foot handshake or always, without fail, junior 1B Samantha Mahoski presents Nina with her catchers mask by flipping it high into the air.

Just superstition? Psychologist say that these small rituals are good – e.g., repeatedly tapping the plate with a bat, adjusting batting gloves, even kissing the bat – because they momentarily settle the player with a level of comfort by feeling in control of the situation before going into play when so much can quickly and suddenly become completely uncontrollable.

Before every inning Sam flips the catchers mask to Nina.

LOVEJOY MOTIVATIONAL

2015 softball motivational video 
by Lovejoy High School Leopards (Lucas, Texas)...