The most solitary spot at any area softball complex is Lookout Valley’s dugout when the team takes the field. With only nine players — just enough to field a team and not a courtesy runner more — Lady Jackets coach Pat Conard is left alone with her thoughts each inning.
The Lady Jackets must be both durable and dedicated, knowing an injury serious enough to keep any of them out of the lineup would mean a forfeit loss. There was enough uncertainty before the season began that one player admitted her parents discussed transferring her to another school.
The numbers crunch also has turned team captains Kayla Baylor and Chandler Brooks, who have played the game since before they were in kindergarten, into softball panhandlers. Twice this season, because of sickness or injury to a teammate, Baylor has searched the hallways of the small school for anyone willing and athletic enough to step in.
“We only have 113 girls in the whole school, so I know the ones who played softball in middle school or are athletic enough to help us,” said Baylor, who plays center field despite being so severely allergic to grass that it causes her to sneeze uncontrollably and her eyes to water continuously.
“To be honest, it was really hard finding somebody willing to come out and help us,” Baylor continued. “I got turned down a lot, and it got to the point that I was just looking for a body to stand in the outfield with me, just so we could play the game. It’s been a stressful year, which stinks since it’s my senior year. But I love the game and I just want to make sure we play every game.”