As the spring season approaches and the weather gets warmer, DePaul Prep fans can look not only towards baseball but towards softball when they’re looking for a sport with bases and a bat. The girls softball team has existed since the start of DePaul Prep and this upcoming season holds a lot of promise for the girls. 

The softball team recently gained a new head coach for this season, Coach Colleen Hoffman. Hoffman started playing softball at the age of 7. She was also a four-year varsity starter at St. Ignatius College Prep and went on to continue her pitching career at Denison University. As for coaching experience, Hoffman has coached on a travel team north of Chicago since 2020, making her debut as DePaul Prep head coach her third year of coaching. 

Coming off of a 2022 regionals win, the team has grown in their skill level over the years. Reflecting on the past season and how she has grown over time, Junior Bitty Martin said, “DCP softball has made me a better player overall. It has helped me understand the rules and logistics of softball as well as made me a more well-rounded and experienced player.  I have been able to improve on my defense, hitting, and team bonding skills through softball.” 

Players have been able to pinpoint specific parts of their game that they have found they have grown in under the coaching at DePaul Prep. Another remark on the growth of her skills was senior Kathleen Balcsick, stating, “DCP softball has made me a better player through learning to work through challenges with my teammates and individually.” Both players seem to prioritize the importance of how they grew with their team specifically.

Further, Martin also remarked on the growth of her team over the years that she has been in the program: “My teammates and I have definitely developed over the years. Being able to bond more and grow closer has helped to create a better and more positive environment. My team and I have been able to recognize our strengths and where we need improvement. We have learned how to work together and always have each other’s backs!”

The importance of supportive teammates and creating a positive culture seems to be crucial to the softball team’s success. Balcsick added to this saying, “Over the past few years we have become a lot closer and learned how each one of us play in the game and adjust to situations.”

So how exactly does Hoffman intend to keep this type of player and team bonding development going into the 2023 season?

Hoffman intends to use unique coaching techniques. A primary example of this being her ability to incorporate games. “Whether it is a game of kickball, whiffle ball, a relay race, or dodgeball, I like to incorporate games into practices when I can as an ‘off’ day, but allows the team to have fun, get some conditioning in, and still do something competitive,” said Hoffman.

As the season unfolds, the coach and players understand that this season holds a lot of promise. Hoffman says she is “personally excited for all of the new experiences that will come with this season.”

As for the team, she is “excited for the girls to have fun and play some competitive softball!” When asked about her goals for the upcoming season she said, “Our goal is to make it to the state tournament this year, but we will be taking it one game, one inning at a time. The state tournament is a long ways away and we have a lot of work to do until then. We have built a great coaching staff and have many years of experience supporting our three levels to play as competitive of a schedule as we can.” 

Martin also remarked on her hopes for the season saying, “My hopes for my season is for my team and I to grow close and remain positive all throughout the season. I really want to improve at batting and get to play in multiple positions on the field.”

The 2023 season is filled with new beginnings and big hopes for the Rams softball team.