A coach can only wish for a team full of naturally athletic players.
Coach Andrew Corbin of the Georgia Crusaders does not wish for such athletes, he has a dugout full of them. Athletes that he and his assistant coach, Vernon Philpot, turned into ball players.
"A lot of it is innate," said Corbin. "I think they bring that swagger to the field, but we instill that in them."
The swagger is encouraged and is apparent, but Corbin explained that while these athletes are naturally skilled and confident, he and his staff focused on the fundamentals.
"It's not always about speed, but about technique. It is knowing when to run and how to run," said Corbin.
Although the team is surprising opponents and attracting the attention of college coaches at tournaments around the country, it is a young organization (only four years old) and had to work to get to where it is today.
"The first year was a little shaky," he said, "we didn't play as cohesively as we do now."
Corbin continued, "We actually got pasted our first year," he laughed, "but since then we have been good enough to qualify for ASA [Amateur Softball Association of America] Nationals every year. After that first year, we just worked on fundamentals and taught what we believed in and how to play the game."
From the start of the program in 2004, Corbin and Philpot had a clear vision and led their team based on principles that the coaches share. From there, they developed a group of talented and strong young women.
"We had daughters who played on different teams and we wanted to develop our own group," said Corbin.
"We called ourselves the Crusaders. We put God first and we play solid softball. We are on a crusade to showcase our girls and teach them the fundamentals to be competitive and prepare the girls for the next level."
The athletes on the team are either incoming freshmen or sophomores. Some of the players to watch are cleanup hitter Torrian Wright, whose quick hands and obvious strength would make any third baseman shudder. Second baseman Jordan Corbin is one of the most mentally strong athletes on the team. Pitcher and utility player Alaina Hall a quick lefty slapper and is also a tough pitcher with surprising self-assurance on the mound. Adaria Dixon, an outfielder, is just plain fast.
"We have kept a core of five or six girls over the years," said Corbin, " since then we have added pieces of the puzzle. They are all at different levels, but collectively they are extremely talented and a strong team."
All in all, Corbin created a top notch program in just a few short years. The girls are confident, talented and appear to have a great time together.
The advice that Corbin and his staff give to his girls has been instrumental in their success. The girls have matured as a team and there is an evident chemistry between the members of the squad.
"I tell them to never take any team for granted and to always bring their 'A' game," Corbin said. "Their best is not better than our best."
The motto for the Crusaders is simple and sums up Corbin's philosophy well:
"Have fun, play your game, and win or lose, you have done what you came to do."
Garland Cooper covers high school softball for ESPNRISE.com.