This season, the softball team has only had a handful of games. This is due to the fact that four of them have already been canceled. There have been many factors that have played a role in these games being called off, but the most reoccurring is the weather, school trips and attendance.

“It is very frustrating dealing with the weather and all the trips going on,” Coach Bill Boggs said. “It’s difficult with a limited roster trying to play all of the games in addition to the other complications.”

The weather has played a critical role in the spring sports season for many sports, especially softball. The fields can’t be used when they’re flooded or when there’s a thunderstorm. WPIAL and PIAA rules state, “When thunder is heard, or a lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.”

“Since we only have a few games left in the season, every game we lose doesn’t help us in any way,” Freshman Hailey Velemirovich said.

The Spanish Club’s trip to Costa Rica and the marching band’s trip to Orlando, Florida have been major factors in attendance. The Costa Rica trip took away several players and captains during the beginning of April and the band’s Florida trip took away many players and captains at the later half of the month.

According to Junior Kali Ralston, one of the reasons for these cancellations is the fact that too many of the members of the team have been too busy with their jobs and other athletics. With a good portion of the team having to go to work, there seem to have been many attempts to work around the schedules of the team members. Additionally, attendance has been harmed by girls that participate in multiple sports. It is difficult for girls to commit to each sport that they play when they have more than one match for multiple sports on the same day.

“Attendance is important because a team with good attendance shows success and commitment. A committed team works well together allowing for player chemistry,” Ralston said.

The girls decided not to let the cancellations get the best of them. When a match gets canceled, they have practice instead whether it be indoors or outdoors.