Connecting with Charters: Getting in touch with the Orlando Area

This week the USSSA Pride had some great opportunities to reach out into the central Florida high school and College community.  The first stop on Wednesday started with the Lake Mary High School Softball team known as the Rams.  Both Francesca Enea and Ashley Charters were able to represent the USSSA Pride at the practice. The Rams were enthusiastic about getting on the field and doing some work with the Pride players.  Probably the most beneficial aspect of the practice was getting some good question answer time and learning the importance of the mental aspect of the game.  In addition, there were a great number of questions about the differences in each of the Pride player’s college experiences and their current experiences playing in the National Pro Fastpitch.  Both coaches Jeannie Fisher and her assistant Kym Gaudreau have been coaching at Lake Mary for the past fourteen years and built their softball program with great chemistry and tradition.

Thursday kicked off with a great opportunity for Ashley Charter’s to train with the University of Central Florida Knights.  The Knights were coming off a big win the night before beating the University of Florida 2-0. Head Coach Renee Luers-Gillispie graciously allowed Ashley Charters to jump into a full practice with the Knights. The opportunity to work out with the team allowed Charters to see some live pitching and work on some defensive work as well. Spring training is definitely in full force and this Pride player.

The day did not end there, but continued at Winter Springs High School.  The bears were scheduled to play a home game at 7pm and invited Ashley Charters to come by and speak to the girls.  Head Coach Mark Huaman and assistant coaches Eric Birle and Wendi Ward wanted Ashley Charters to touch on a few aspects of softball specifically the mental aspect of the game.  The bears have come very close the past three years to winning a state championship and they are ready for another chance to finally clinch that title. There was plenty of time for the team to ask Charters questions regarding college, what factors should be considered when committing to a college, and what opportunities are available for post collegiate play in the NPF.   The meet and greet ended with the bears showing their team spirit by performing one of their team cheers that always gets them pumped before games.