Bogie Lady Pirates Softball 2011

The Boca Ciega Lady Pirates softball team has several new faces this year, beginning with new head coach Kristina Fitch. Fitch, a 2000 Bogie graduate, is thrilled to be back as head coach. While at Bogie, Fitch started all four seasons as catcher during her high school days. She sees real potential for this season; the fact that her father coached several of her players in Little League helps.

“I know these girls personally. . .  I’ve watched them grow up playing ball with my dad. So I know what some of them are capable of doing on the field. That helps me motivate them,” Fitch said.

With only three returning seniors and one new senior player on the team, Fitch has a somewhat young team. But they have some depth behind them and she feels pretty confident about this season's outcome. The senior players will be expected to take the lead.

“I know I have girls that have a passion for softball,” she said. "We have nine returning starters from last year. We have a tremendous pitcher with junior Mallory Allen and seniors, Michelle Laorenza as catcher, Alex Sims at first base and Cimberlee Leffler in outfield, really bring a wealth of experience to the team. Our new senior, Charlotte Peacock is a strong player and a great addition.”

There is another new face on the team, one that has a deep family history of softball, Little League and the field the girls play their games on. Freshman Emily Corcoran, whose father Michael died suddenly in 2009, is following in his large footsteps. Mike Corcoran was a coach for Little League, President and Vice President of Little League and was very involved with the community. Last year, the Little League placed a plaque in his honor on the concession stand building. Emily still plays Senior Girls Little League.

Coach Fitch had good things to say about her.

“Emily has been really helpful to the team this season. She plays third base, can come in and run and she helps defensively as well. She’s another local girl that will play a big part of this team in the future.”

So far, the Lady Pirates are 4-1 in District play. Last night’s shellacking of Largo High, 14-6, shows how serious they really are. But they have a long stretch ahead of them in the coming weeks; ten games in three weeks and Coach Fitch says they have to work much more on their batting and ‘small ball’, base stealing and running.

But she agreed that some of the minor hiccups have been her own.

“I’ve made some mistakes as a brand new coach, like with calling plays or steals, but we’re all learning what our strengths are. I have great expectations for this team this year.”

Coach Fitch sees Regionals in the Lady Pirate’s future. Last year’s team was a Regional competitor.

“Over the next three weeks we have ten games to play that will really give us an idea of our potential. We’ll be facing some tough teams,” Fitch said.

Fitch also said that she feels the South County schools don’t get as much respect as the North County schools do. She thinks it’s because a lot of the North County players play ball all year long. They call it travel ball and players can play on summer leagues and practice out of season.

Look to the Bogie Lady Pirates to have a strong season this year.

“We’re going to show what we’re made of and we want to make Bogie proud,” Coach Fitch concluded. “We’re Pirates and we’re proud of it!”