Buitink, a four-year star pitcher and a graduate assistant coach for the Cougars, is again assisting Columbia College’s Wendy Spratt in coaching, this time with the Impact Under-16 softball team.
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| Wendy Spratt, whose
summer break from coaching Columbia College doesn't taker her far from the
softball field, meets with the Impact 16-and-under team, a group of area
all-stars. Ed Pfueller photo |
Marijke Buitink, 15, has been with the Impact for two years. In each of those seasons, the team has gone on to national championship tournaments with the National Softball Association.
On July 20 the Impact will play in the first of at least eight guaranteed games of the inaugural F.A.S.T. Nationals in Kissimmee, Fla. The Fastpitch Association of States and Territories is a step up from the NSA, according to the younger Buitink, one of four Rock Bridge players on the Mid-Missouri competitive team. F.A.S.T. has 47 teams nationwide, while NSA has 100 members.
"It’s definitely more competitive and a lot harder to get into the national tournament," she said. "We’ll be ready for when the tournament comes."
With a 29-12 record, the Impact has been a strong offensive team.
"It’s been exciting to see them play this year," said Natalie Buitink, who is completing her master’s degree in criminal justice at Columbia College. She will coach the New Bloomfield High School softball team next year.
"I knew that our strength was offensive, but I was happy to see some spectacular plays on the defensive end," she said. "They’ve exceeded my expectations."
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| Rock Bridge sophomore Marijke
Buitink has taken advantage of some pitching tips from her sister, Natalie. Ed Pfueller photo |
Like her older sister, Marijke has shown her skills as a pitcher an at the plate. She admits that being coached by her older sister has been an experience.
"It’s been pretty nice," she said. "Everyone already knew my name. ‘Oh that’s Natalie’s little sister.’ It definitely has its benefits. She’s always been there to help me out, and now with the Impact I get to practice with her just about every day."
Marijke has traveled with Natalie’s Cougar teams as a spectator, but now has to follow instructions from her older sister.
"It’s great in some instances," Natalie said. "I have to be short with her sometimes. I think she should come out of her shell, pitch more aggressively. But she’s improved tremendously with the team, and I am looking forward to the future."
The future for many of the players could include college softball careers. In preparing the girls for this, Spratt had each of the players write a letter to potential recruiters, prepare a personal profile sheet and put together their transcripts, statistics and softball schedules.
"This is the first year I’ve had the girls do this," said Spratt, who started the Impact three years ago. "I give them advice on what college coaches are looking for and give them examples of some of the best letters I’ve received here as a coach at Columbia College. I’d like each of the players to send out these packages to the top 15 schools they are interested in."
Some of the better bats on the team include a pair of Helias outfielders, Liz Block and Emily Rackers, and Rock Bridge’s Bonnie Robertson, the team’s first baseman. Robertson is one player who is grateful for the opportunity to play under a college coach and to practice at Cougar Field.
"College coaches have a lot to teach you," she said. "They are very experienced and have been around the sport a while. It’s serious but fun."
The team had to raise $6,000 to make the trip to Florida. By washing cars, selling cookbooks, setting up a booth at a Fourth of July fair in Jefferson City and taking in donations, the Impact has raised more than half the necessary funds. The team should make up the rest through other fund-raising efforts in the final week before leaving for Kissimmee.
"We just have to go in there with a positive attitude," Robertson said. "If we try our best we will go far."
Reach José Alfredo Flores at (573) 815-1780 or sports@tribmail.com