This year the team is assisting me in dedicating the Season to Bri Hetrick, a recent player who was tragically killed in Fall of 2023 due to partner violence . She was a multi-year captain and emotional leader. Always smiling, giving her best and willing to do anything without hesitancy. She was one of those people that always made you feel like her best friend and was always there to lift your spirits, as you can see in many of the posted pictures.
As a coach, my goal is not necessarily to teach the game of softball, but to use it as a vehicle to teach confidence, challenge player skill limits, ensure comfort with failure- knowing you can bounce back stronger and handle those mental demons that undermine self confidence. Softball is well suited to this as a team sport with individuals always spotlighted and then having extra time to assess themselves, feeling all eyes are passing judgement. I also want to teach the sisterhood of teammates, that you are always there to pick up, support and mentor your “family”
We will have discussions about self confidence, recognizing how our insecurities get played on, as well as having posters of Bri at the field, her name and number on our game balls, a planned memorial and tree planting and presentation of a perpetual annual award, named for Bri, to honor those in Softball that embody the Mariner Spirit and Culture.
Please join us in letting good and strength come from this horrible tragedy.