Broadneck Softball Squad Prepares For Spring Season

Christina Yeatman was preparing for her first season as head coach of the softball team at Broadneck High School when a giant wrench was thrown into her plans.

Yeatman, a star on Broadneck from 2002 to 2005, has been an assistant on the coaching staff since 2013.

When head coach Deanna Hamilton retired following the 2019 season, Yeatman took over, but her first season as head coach wouldn’t be until the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a long time coming, but not without some obstacles that Yeatman and the program have faced.

“We’ve been trying to keep our players engaged with virtual practices that we’ve had during the winter,” Yeatman said. “We’ve shared drills and skills for our athletes to work on to stay engaged, but it’s a lot harder through the computer and staying distanced.”

The pandemic has had different effects on different programs, and unfortunately for Broadneck, the timeline of this season has affected the number of players who came out for the team.

While most programs would have several seniors on the roster, forming the backbone of the program, the Bruins have one.

“It’s drastically affected our numbers,” Yeatman said. “We have a lot less than we normally would, but we’re still focused on trying to have as great of a season as we can.”

While some observers would think that having one senior on the team isn’t a plus, with all that’s gone on, having one this season has the ability to leave more of an indelible mark on the program.

Cailyn Dove, this season’s senior leader, has already taken it upon herself to not only dominate on the field but also be a mentor to a program filled with young talent and help them reach that next level.

“I feel like I stand out because I’ve never heard of there being only one senior on any team,” Dove said. “Being one of only a few returning players, that holds a lot of weight, so I feel like I need to step up more than I would normally.”

The challenge is a welcoming one for her as she’s been in similar situations in travel programs.

This new injection of faces into the Bruins will most definitely come with acclimating to what’s expected, but Dove has been looking forward to this season for quite a while and she’s excited about her new teammates.

“I’m excited to see what the new players bring to the table this year,” Dove said. “They look competitive, aggressive and ready to learn.”

As for Yeatman, she’s been patiently waiting through the pandemic for her head coaching career at Broadneck to officially get underway.

There’s been an overall hesitancy to believe that this season is actually happening, but with practice already underway and the calendar turning to May, it’s going to be a reality.

“There’s going to be an adjustment period, whether that is a few weeks or the entire season, but we’re excited,” Yeatman said. “There’s a level of excitement and eagerness for that first game to come.”

Broadneck opens its 2021 season hosting North County on May 10 at 4:15pm.