ROCKLAND and ROCKPORT — Girls in schools across the state are spending the week not only getting ready for action in the circle, but in many cases competing for the role of pitcher. Softball teams have the same one-week period where they can bring in any combination of pitchers and catchers not to exceed 10 players. The teams must have the same players all week.

Softball has no pitch limits nor restrictions on the pitchers. They can throw as many pitches as they can and one pitcher can throw every game, if that is the decision of the coach.

There also is a big difference in throwing off a mound and being in a flat circle where you can push off the rubber, but are not allowed to have a hop in your step, which is a natural tendency. Softball pitchers have to learn to keep a foot on the ground and a hop of the rubber is an illegal pitch that is an automatic ball.

Like baseball, preseason pitcher and catcher workouts are intended to get the players physically ready for the upcoming season. Instruction to pitchers and catchers must be limited to the physical readiness of the individual player.

Coaching the pitcher/catcher must take place within the physical area of the pitching rubber and the plate area. All instruction must take place only when there is direct pitcher/catcher interaction. Coaching must be limited to physical readiness and safety concerns associated with the individual position. Interaction with other positions on the playing field is not allowed; i.e., situation instruction, outfield or infield practice.

At Camden Hills and Oceanside High Schools, the girls toeing the rubber were firing on all cylinders. Each team has flame throwers who look good for four days of practice. Each team also has an abundance of catchers available so that every pitcher has a catcher to throw to.

In softball, many times there are just one or two pitchers who throw every inning of every game. This week also gives teams an opportunity to work with the younger pitchers and both schools had their share of freshmen pitchers and catchers.

Important softball dates to remember:

SOFTBALL SEASON
March 30, 2015 - First Practice
April 16, 2015 - First Countable Game (after 3 p.m.)
June 3, 2015 - Last Countable Date
June 4-10, 2015 – On-line Sportsmanship Balloting
June 9, 2015 - Regional Prelim Games
June 11, 2015 - Regional Quarterfinal Games
June 13, 2015 - Regional Semifinal Games
June 16-17, 2015 - Regional Final Games (MPA site and responsibility)
(Rain date-earliest possible date as determined by the committee)
June 20, 2015 - State Championship Games

REGIONAL FINAL GAMES
West
Classes D and B – June 16 (St. Joseph’s College)
Classes C and A – June 1& (St. Joseph’s College)
East
Classes C – June 17 (Brewer High School)
Class A – June 17 (Cony High School)
Class D and B – June 16 (Brewer High School)

Locally, Oceanside, Camden Hills, Belfast, Medomak Valley and Mount View play in Eastern Class B. Searsport and Vinalhaven/North Haven play in Western Class D and Lincoln Academy plays in Western Class B.

The first regular season game for softball for all Class B teams except Oceanside is Wednesday, April 22, with Belfast hosting Mount View at 1 p.m., Camden Hills hosting Medomak Valley at 1 p.m. Oceanside will play its first game Friday, April 24, at Camden Hills.

For Class D Vinalhaven/North Haven they open the regular season Saturday, April 18, at Richmond with a double header at 11 and 1. Searsport is scheduled to open the season Friday, April 24, at Stearns of Millinocket. with a 4:30 p.m. start.

Ron Hawkes can be reached at hawkesnews@gmail.com