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New softball coach for a new season
By Kate Snyder
J-Lab Staff Writer
“If we don't win numerous ball games this year, it would only be from lack of effort from us as players, but definitely not due to lack of effort and execution from our coaches,” said softball player Siriana Guest.
After a rough 2007 season under the leadership of first time coach Michelle Hext, who lost her commitment to the team before the season ended, the softball team was in desperate need of a positive coaching staff for 2008.
And, according to Guest, they have found exactly what they were looking for.
In March, the softball team received a new addition to the coaching staff. Nathan Ohta, a 2002 Western Baptist graduate and fourth grade teacher at Albany Christian School, joined the softball team as assistant coach, seeing the girls through their last month of the 2007 season.
Shortly after the softball season ended last April, Ohta accepted the position of head coach and has dedicated himself to the team ever since. With seven new players and eight returners, Ohta and assistant coaches Beth Mayben and Kristen Meeker have high hopes for the 2008 season, which begins Feb. 15 in Livermore, Calif., at the Priscilla Benham Memorial Tournament against the College of Idaho.
As a new coach, Ohta has faced both challenges and joys, with the benefits far outweighing the costs of coaching the softball team.
“Each day brings its own challenges, whether it be adjusting practice due to inclement weather, working out scheduling issues with other coaches, or a whole host of other things that occupy my time, but as far as coaching goes, there has been far more enjoyment than difficulty,” Ohta said. “The girls on the team have been great to work with, and I'm excited for the start of the season.”
Ohta has been impressed with the positive attitude of the ladies, especially regarding their willingness to adapt to changes he has made within the program.
“I would have to say that the highlight for me at this point in the season has come simply in seeing the effort the girls on the team have been putting forth day in and day out,” he said. “Through injury, sickness, early morning workouts, and the everyday pressures of school, they've continued to work hard in preparation for what lies ahead. As a coach, that's exciting to see.”
Aside from assisting the girls in building their athletic skills, Ohta has also made it a priority to focus on strengthening the girls’ spiritual lives as well.
“Our goal is not to have to implement Christ into our softball team, but rather to implement the game of softball into a Christ-filled life,” he said. “Each day after practice a member of the team leads a short devotional thought for the day, and the team has really done a great job so far of taking this seriously and sharing what God is teaching them. We also have a team blog that we use to discuss issues related to the spiritual growth of team members.”
“It's refreshing to me that he cares so much about our relationships with the Lord, and does his best to make sure we are being challenged spiritually as a team, as well as individually,” Guest said.
With this Christ-centered mind set, Ohta has high hopes for the softball season this year. He does not determine success by wins and losses, but rather by the overall effort made by the team as a whole.
“We've talked a lot about pushing ourselves to be our best -- not to be satisfied with the status quo, or even with improvement, but to strive to be the best we can be. As a coaching staff, our goal is to push each player to be better than she has ever been spiritually, academically, and athletically.”
