Manson Trojans Softball: Pride, passion, grit

MANSON – As spring quickly approaches, the Trojans’ softball team gears up to head into a new season. Head coach Louie Ramsvig is entering his first-year coaching high school girls’ varsity softball, however, has six years of coaching experience overall, with three years in 40 and over team, and three years in AAU. With Hayli Libbey-Thompson backing him up as assistant, Ramsvig is optimistic for the opportunities this year will bring the team.
Key returners this year include first basemen Salena Joiner and Catcher/pitcher Devyn Smith, said Ramsvig, adding newcomer Josephine Thompson onto the mound, and it creates for a very solid infield, he explained.
This year, the team will be focusing on incorporating the K.I.S.S. method, Ramsvig explained, “the acronym stands for Keep It Simple Softball,” he said, “it shortens the game, you don’t make an excited throw, so you don’t get extra bases on errors. You also take the lead runner approach,” he explained, “we’re (also) going to teach the outfielders that the ball can’t be in their glove more than a second, I want them throwing into a cutoff person, not trying to throw to a bag or home.”
Looking ahead into the season, Ramsvig said that they will be emphasizing on strengthening the outfield. “To be honest, I think our pitching is going to go crazy good … in this league, if you can cut out errors and have good pitching, you have a chance.” – I think I can build a really good infield … the outfield in this type of league is always the weakest. Got to teach them how to catch the ball, so they’re not just jabbing at it. “I’m going to turn Hayli lose on the outfield,” Rasmvig stated, “she’s going to work a lot on those girls.”
As far as rivalries go, Rasmvig concluded, “I’m really looking forward to taking on the river teams, Pateros, Brewster and Bridgeport.”