Weather hampers teams
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Mother Nature has thrown high school baseball and softball teams a changeup this year and that has had a big role in several teams holding ghastly records early in the season.
Two years ago, spring sports rarely had a rainout in a drought cycle. Last year brought a lot of rain.
This year, it’s been rain and several significant snow events that have limited practice time.
Hartselle’s baseball and softball teams have struggled early this season as both programs rebuild after losing talented senior classes to graduation last season.
The Tigers’ baseball team, the defending Class 5A state champions, have come out of the gate with a 4-11 record - certainly not a sign of a championship team.
But Hartselle is replacing almost its entire lineup this spring. Outfielder Ryan Joy, an honorable mention selection last year, is the Tigers’ lone returning starter.
Robby Reece, who starrted at first and designated hitter, is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.
And with a whole roster of inexperienced players on the varsity level, the Tigers opened with just one win in its first 10 games.
Blame the weather.
When the Tigers - and all other high school teams in the state - were ready to hit the field a month ago for practices, the weather didn’t want to cooperate.
Instead of throwing fastballs, the Tigers were throwing snowballs.
The situation is the same with the softball program where the Lady Tigers are in the process of replacing its entire starting infield from last season.
Hartselle lost five of its first six games, but the Lady Tigers have hit full stride recently with five wins in six outings to improve to 6-6 overall.
The Lady Tigers have been dominating during the recent stretch, winning four of the five by shutouts.
But as the weather started to improve, so did the Lady Tigers’ play.
Getting on the playing field finally has helped both Hartselle teams as they work out their early season kinks.
The records aren’t great right now, but records don’t always bring home state championships during the spring.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com
