Lady Stangs show campers mechanics of softball
IN PHOTO: Mackinzee Mayfield (left) shows Katy Atkins the proper way to use her feet when attempting the block step during Lady Mustang Softball Camp. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
MARBLE FALLS — Marble Falls High School softball coach Tino Salazar couldn’t have picked two better players to show athletes attending his camp the importance of the block step than Mackinzee Mayfield and Mattie Counts.
Left fielder Counts used the step to gun down a runner at home plate when she picked up the ball and crossed one foot over the other in a giant step forward to throw to catcher Mayfield, who fell to her left to tag the runner out at home.
That secured a 5-4 win in Game 1 of the best-of-three area series against Smithson Valley in May.
Salazar and several Lady Mustangs worked with the campers on learning the step that forces athletes to gather their strength and momentum all at once before throwing the ball.
“It’s going to take some practice,” Salazar said. “A lot of coaches don’t teach that, they just worry about upper body. I think the block step has helped. It’s all about feet, footwork in the infield, footwork in the outfield is the key.”
In all, 32 players attended the camp, which thrilled Salazar.
“‘I’m real happy with the numbers,” he said. “I didn’t expect it to be this big. It shows they come out and watch. Parents came out and heard about the Marble Falls Mustang softball program. So I’m excited about it.”
About a handful of incoming freshmen were in attendance, including Kelly Copeland and Amber Clark.
Both said they enjoyed themselves, learned a lot and look forward to getting better.
“Because it’s fun,” Copeland said. “It doesn’t just kill time like all the other ones. You make new friends.”
“I’m really competitive,” Clark said. “Softball is, like, a very competitive sport, and it gives you a lot of exercise. Not only that, it’s fun to bond with friends during softball because you have to play as a team. I’m really social, so I like friends and the competition and how high you can get the big trophies and nationals and the titles.”