Sports - Softball tryouts kick off season Published March 24, 2006 By Airman Thomas Trower 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Women’s varsity softball is back in full swing. The team has been resting up from last year’s Fall Ball season and reorganized with tryouts over the past two weeks. The Cannon team was seen as a powerhouse during the 1996-1999 seasons, but there was no team for the 2000-2002 seasons. The team has been rebuilding since the return of the sponsorship, said player and coach Jessica Belford. Last year the team placed in more tournaments and made an overwhelming improvement at the Armed Forces World Tournament (AFWT), said Coach Belford. This year, she said, the team is expecting to win some tournaments and their ultimate goal is to win the AFWT. Consistent batting and knowing what to do in game situations are some of the things coaches realized they need to work on from last season. Coach Terrance Vinson is expected to increase the condition workload as well. The Fall Ball season gave a new perspective of how the team will play this season. Early practices showed that the shortstop position will be one of their primary strengths, said Coach Belford. Unfortunately, the pitcher position is running short. “The team as a whole, I believe, will be good because of the great chemistry among the players,” said Coach Belford. “When it comes to women team sports, the greatest obstacle to overcome is chemistry.” Coach Belford attributes the loss of some of their key outfield players as well as their strongest pitcher to military demands of new assignments and separations. “We are still in need of a strong pitcher,” said Coach Belford. “This has been one of the weakest positions of the team.” The team is not back to full strength yet, said Coach Belford, but the tournament this weekend will give her and Coach Vinson an opportunity to see what they need to work on. The league season is set to begin April 6.