Most people have heard of arena football, but the Bradford High
softball team is on the verge of creating arena softball.

BHS is scheduled to open the 2007 season Wednesday hosting
Cameron County, but the Lady Owls have yet to set foot on
grass.

First-year head coach Nichole Spindler acknowledges the
disadvantage, but is optimistic about her team’s chances in the
upcoming campaign.

“Our first game could be our first time on the field,” Spindler
pointed out. “We did get them to clear out the cars and actually
got outside in the parking lot once.

“We’re really working on fundamentals in the gym right now,
getting a strong base so that when we do get outside things will
hopefully come a little easier for us.”

The Lady Owls’ coach likened the situation to a basketball team
having to prepare for its first game without baskets, playing only
in the space of the key and having hoops just seven feet high.

“We could look stellar inside, but once we take down the walls
and get on a real diamond it’s going to be an adjustment,” she
said.

“The space is a huge obstacle – I don’t know if anyone can catch
a fly ball,” Spindler mused. “A 10-foot pop-up in the gym is much
different than a towering fly to the outfield on the grass.”

The team will be led this season by junior co-captains and
letterwinners Shelly Fuhrman and Erin Comilla.

“Shelly is going to be a big part of the team,” Spindler
commented. “She’s our number one pitcher and she brings a lot of
experience at that position.

“As far as I know she’s thrown almost every game the last two
years. She’s got a ton of innings on the mound. Between summer ball
and all the extra time she puts in she’ll only be better this
year.

The other two returning letterwinners are junior Nicole Keane
and sophomore Brittany Harsen.

“Erin and Nicole are going to be my leaders in the infield,”
Spindler continued. “Erin is real strong at shortstop and her bat
is going to be big this year, too. She’s got a lot of power.

“Nicole will be first baseman and she’ll be steady over there
defensively. Hopefully, she’ll bring a good bat to the lineup.

“Brit’s going to have a nice stick. She’s probably going to be
splitting time between third base and some outfield. She’s got a
good glove.”

Others expected to see varsity time are freshmen Ashlie
Harrington, Michele Keane, Jessie Mascho, Jonnie Mascho and Tate
Slaven; sophomore Sabina Vecellio; junior Mindy Clouser and
sophomores Kristin Dittman and Meghan Hollenbeck.

“Ashlie and Jessie are probably going to see a little bit of
time on the mound, getting some varsity throwing experience,”
Spindler remarked. “Tate’s looking to get some time at the catching
position. She’s been working well with Shelly.

“Sabina and Jonnie are vying for third base and Michele is vying
for second base, while Mindy, Kristin, Meghan and Jessie will be
fighting for outfield positions.”

Rounding out the roster are freshmen Olivia Chapman, Jessica
Courteau, Morgan Dunkle, Carley Frisina, Aubrey Huey, Allison
Sampson and Alisha Stockton; sophomore Ashley Sampson; juniors
Brittany Gilmore, Rachel Kelly, Felicia Lively, Jen Schoonover and
Joanne Farmer; and senior Tiffany Bruno.

“We have a big freshman group with a lot of talent,” Spindler
observed. “I think they’re going to get some good experience this
year and that’s only going to help down the road.

“The large freshman class gives us a lot of options. The girls
are real versatile and are good players.”

Spindler brings a lot of softball knowledge and experience to
the head-coaching position having been a four-year starting catcher
at Bradford High (1996-2000), at Penn State Behrend (2000-01) and
at Pitt-Bradford (2001-2004).

Also a member of the volleyball team, she was the Female Athlete
of the Year at UPB for the 2003-04 season.

Spindler is joined in the coaching staff by assistant varsity
coach Dave Fuhrman and junior varsity coach Mary Boser.

“If we can play together and communicate, there are a lot of
good things in the future for these girls,” Spindler
maintained.

“I have a lot of dedicated players on the team,” Spindler said.
“They want to be here, they want to play and they want to
improve.

“That’s all you can ask for as a coach. If they can keep that up
through the season, we’ll definitely be competitive.”