The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets softball team finished the 2015 regular season with 23-4 overall mark and a perfect 10-0 region record. At the time of this interview, the girls were getting ready for the region tournament and a potential postseason bid. Over the last few years, under the leadership of former All-ACC player Robyn Trammell, the Yellow Jackets have enjoyed a great deal of success. Last year, for example, the girls won region and eventually finished as state runner-up. Coach Trammell answered a few questions for us about the TCC softball program just prior to the start of the region tournament.
- What is your current record? Where does the team sit in the region standings and what is your postseason outlook? 23-4. We finished with a region record to 10-0. We went into the region tournament as the number one seed. We have played very well this season, and all I can do is hope that we continue to play relaxed and confident.
- Tell us a little about yourself.How long have you been at TCC?What is your prior coaching experience and how have the Yellow Jackets done under your leadership? I graduated from Wakulla High School in Crawfordville, Florida. I then went to play softball at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida. While playing at Gulf Coast, our team won a state championship and I was selected to the All-State softball team. I then played two years for Florida State University. While playing at FSU our team won an ACC championship, and I was selected to the All-ACC team, the All-ACC Academic Team, and the First Team NCAA Regional Tournament Team. After graduating from FSU, I played one year of women’s professional softball with a women’s league in Wellington, New Zealand. This is my ninth year teaching with Thomas County Schools and coaching at Thomas County Central High School. After returning from New Zealand, I coached one year at Florida A&M University. I then coached varsity volleyball and softball for four years at Marianna High School in Marianna, Florida. While coaching softball at Marianna High School we won four district championships, made the playoffs all four years, and made the Sweet Sixteen in 2007. We made the state play-offs in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014. We also finished in the Sweet Sixteen in 2009; won a region championship in 5A in 2012; won a region championship, made the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, and finished as
4A state runner-up in 2014. - What has been the Jackets’ formula for success?What is the personality of the 2015 team? Hard work and teamwork. The players I worked with when I first started coaching at Thomas County, without a doubt, set the standard for hard work. They also set the standard for how we (Thomas County Central softball) would embrace the idea of team. The commitment, dedication, and determination of those young ladies would help steer this program in the right direction with every season. Thomas County Central softball is what it is today because of those players that showed up and worked hard for no other reason but to make themselves, their team, and our program better. Those girls would help put Thomas County Central on the map in 2009 with a Sweet Sixteen finish to the season. With every season that passes, the girls continue to take their hard work and dedication to each other and the program to another level. They impress me daily, and I can honestly say that there is not another high school team in Georgia that works harder than they work. Hard work and knowing how to play as a team is our formula for success. Their personality is determined, relaxed, and fun-loving. These girls have played ball together for so long now that they’re not only a team but a family. They realize and appreciate that each and every player on the team plays a role and has something to contribute. I believe it takes every player on our team to be successful. One player is not any more important than the other, and it’s that belief that keeps us competitive each season.
- Who are your key players?Who are the team leaders in the major statistical areas (ERA, batting average, RBI, home runs, number of hits, fielding percentage, etc.)? For the most part, my key players change with each game we play. When my pitcher struggles, my defense picks her up and the offense tries to put more runs up for her. When the offense struggles, my pitcher steps up and tries to keep it close with help from the defense. You would really have to watch a few of our games to understand what I’m saying. It’s truly a team effort. As for our statistical leaders, that’s a tough one. I have a few players that have been neck and neck all season with averages. My leading hitters so far this season are Kenlie Harvey, Larran Carter, Payton Burton and Katelyn Hobbs. Leading our team in fielding percentage is our catcher, Payton Burton, and first baseman, Emily Greek. As far as on base percentage and stolen bases go, my slappers are leading the team in those areas. Jamilah Johnson, Victoria Parker and Anna Greek all do a great job finding a way on base, getting into scoring position, and putting pressure on the defense. Larran Carter has done a phenomenal job for us on the mound this season. Her record is 22-2 with 84 strikeouts, and she continues to get better every game. Although averages aren’t figured for the following categories, that does not deem them any less important. Hannah Johnson and Christina Ansley have both come up with clutch game winning hits this season, while Madeline Parker maintains solid at shortstop and at the plate. Amanda Dunlap, Kealie Bennett, Leila Hurst, and Caroline Pope are some of my underclassmen that are always willing to contribute any way the team needs them. Whether it’s pitching, catching, pinch hitting, or pinch running these kids get it done. Last, but certainly not least, junior Danielle Lee plays the most important role in our team’s success. Danielle’s attitude and heart constantly keep our team moving in the right direction. All my girls “lead” in some capacity, and there’s not enough room on this page to explain how important each girl is to me or the program.
- What makes softball unique?What differentiates it from baseball? Softball is a unique sport because it teaches life lessons with every practice and game. Every player gets a chance to grow and learn with every play and at bat. Although softball is a team sport, it also offers a personal accountability. When a player makes an error or strikes out, she has nowhere to look but at herself. Players are forced to learn how to persevere through those failures. Softball teaches young people how to hold themselves accountable and how to recover and move on, in a positive way, from negative outcomes. Softball also teaches young girls how to be a part of a team and how to interact with each other and with coaches. As for the differences between softball and baseball, softball has a more compressed type of style in comparison to baseball. Everything is closer in softball; the bases, the mound to home plate, and the outfield fence. Softball tends to be a significantly quicker paced game with more bunting and stealing than baseball. Also, between softball and baseball, there is a big difference in pitching and how many innings a pitcher can throw. Softball pitchers can almost pitch an unlimited amount of innings because it’s a more natural motion, whereas baseball pitchers are more restricted to how many innings they are able to throw.
- What does it take to be a good softball player?What skills do you value? It takes hard work, a great attitude, the ability to be coached, and being a good teammate. Additionally, it helps if you can field, throw, and hit pretty well. All the skills I mentioned in the prior question can be repeated here. I value hard work, a great attitude, being coachable, and being a good teammate. In my experience, if a player possesses these skills then the throwing, fielding, and hitting will ALMOST be a breeze to master.
- Is travel ball necessary? Absolutely. Travel ball is great because it provides players with more offensive and defensive chances. Depending on the level of competition, travel ball can serve as an incredible tool to help players gain experience and improve their level of play. With that being said, I believe travel ball has slowly transitioned into more of a money making industry rather than a helpful tool to improve the play of young athletes. In the past 14 years, I have seen too many players get caught up in the illusion and prestige of travel ball, losing sight of what’s truly important. It can be so frustrating to see all the wasted money, miles, and time that young players and parents are expending on the star struck quest for a big-time college softball scholarship offer. It’s my hope that kids will get back to enjoying the actual game of softball and learn to appreciate and enjoy being “in the now.” If used correctly travel ball has it benefits, as does school ball. School ball provides such a special and unique experience for young athletes. School ball offers the chance for kids to play ball with childhood friends, those who have grown up together playing ball. School ball also provides athletes the opportunity to play for their high school, their hometown and to play for a high school state championship. There are so many different travel ball organizations and classifications and, with that, a thousand different chances to win nationals, World Series tournaments, etc., but there can only be one GHSA 4A state champion. Does it take playing year round to be an elite player in our area? No. Although I believe that travel ball is necessary, I do not think that kids should be playing softball every month of the year. I think they need a few months off to enjoy family, friends, and just being a kid.
- What is the state of the sport of softball in South Georgia? How have you seen it grow since you’ve been coaching here? South Georgia softball is alive and well. There are several strong and competitive high school softball teams in South Georgia, and it’s great to see and be a part of that. With every year, the level of softball improves in South Georgia and I am proud to coach with and against all the coaches and teams we play in our area. I strongly believe that South Georgia softball is making a strong and respectable name for itself.
- Tell us about the biggest moment your team has experienced thus far in 2015. It could be a big game, a big inning, a big hit, something inspirational, anything.As you look back on the season to this point, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? In my opinion, the biggest game we have played so far this season would be when we beat Kennesaw Mountain. It was such an intense game where the girls battled back from behind and really showed a lot of character, never quitting. That was a good win for us on so many levels, but most importantly that game helped with our team confidence. The first thing that comes to my mind this year is resilience. We had such a phenomenal 2014 season and coming back after a season like that can be tough. Also, we graduated two seniors (Emily Corbitt and Erika Greek) last year who played a huge part in last year’s success. It was unclear how the girls would handle that change but they have not missed a beat. This team has just found their own unique way of getting it done and winning. They are extremely resilient and hardworking. I couldn’t be prouder.
- What does the future look like for TCC softball?How many underclassmen play on a regular basis and how are they developing? The future looks amazing. We have great kids, from the sixth grade all the way up through the 12th, with tremendous potential. I am so blessed to be able to have such a special group of young girls to work with, and I’m so excited to see how much they will continue to improve. We have really worked hard to build a solid program, and our goal is to get better each year. We are blessed to have an administration that takes such a vested interest in supporting the girls, coaches, and program; a hardworking and positive parent base; and kids that are eager to work hard and get better. I have around seven underclassmen that play regularly whether they are running the bases, hitting, playing the field, and/or doing all three. They are a very strong group of girls that are developing and improving in every game.
10 Questions/South Georgia/November 2015
Thomas County Central Softball
Thomasville, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
Photography by Lindsi Jones
