The Omaha North High Girls’ Softball team has undergone a total transformation over the course of this season. At the beginning of the year, the coaches were unsure if they would even have a team.  “We graduated 9 seniors last year, so we only have two varsity returners so we had to start

from scratch,” said Varsity Head Coach Eric Janecek. 

If it were not for the effort the coaches and returning players put into recruiting, they would not have had the nine girls needed to field a team. As it is, there are only eleven players this year.  

The team size is significantly smaller than the softball teams at other schools. According to Coach Janecek, most high schools in the Omaha Public Schools district have fourteen to fifteen girls, while suburban high schools can have upwards of twenty.  

Despite these obstacles, the team is constantly improving.  

“We are dealing with 8 girls who have never played before. It is all about progression. There has been a lot of progression from the beginning to where we are right now,” said Coach Janecek. 

Many of the girls have just discovered their love of softball, while some have been playing their whole lives.  

Second year varsity starter, Anna Bartsch, 10, has been playing softball since she was six years old. She has been playing little league since she was young, so when she got to high school, she knew she wanted to play on the North softball team 

“Softball is so fun, and it is a great conditioning sport,” She remarked. “Through playing for North I have gotten to meet some really nice people, and I have learned a lot,” said Bartsch. 

The team is extremely optimistic regarding next season. 

“Hopefully we can get the same girls out next year and get some incoming freshman, then they will have one year under their belt and be able to keep making progress,” said Coach Janecek. 

Next year, the program will have a stronger and more unified team, resulting in a successful and exciting season.