Under the brightness of the stadium lights, the pitcher can make out her catcher’s hand signal.

  The bases are loaded, it’s the last inning, and there’s a full count.

  The Kickapoo Chiefs are up by one.

  The catcher positions herself and the pitcher takes a deep breath, then starts her stride.

  She extends her leg and brings around her arm to throw her change-up. As the ball moves throughout the air, the catcher’s eyes carefully watch it.

  The batter swings too early and the softball lands into the webbing of catchers mitt. The Lady Chiefs run together as the crowd erupts into cheer. They won the game.

  The relationship between a pitcher and a catcher is like no other on a team.

  The pitcher relies on their catcher to receive their pitches and make the key plays in a game, including throwing down, retrieving most of the bunts, and tagging people out at home plate.

  The catcher relies on their pitcher to trust her throughout the season, throw the pitches according to her hand signal, and be there to back her up when a runner is coming home.

  When softball pitchers seniors, Ellie Facklam and Jaden LaBarge teamed up with catchers, junior, Kate Pierce and sophomore, Callie Muldoon, it made for a pretty great game of “This or That.” Team number one was Ellie and Kate facing off against team number two,  Jaden and Callie.

  The rules were simple. When given a “This or That” question, Kate and Callie had to match the answers to what they think their pitchers were going to say. In round two, Ellie and Jaden had to match what they thought their catchers were going to say.

  Some questions were softball related and some were just for fun and good laughs.

  In round one, catchers Kate and Callie are trying to match their answers to Ellie and Jaden’s.

  In round two, pitchers Ellie and Jaden are trying to match their answers to Kate and Callie.

  Here were the questions and which team got them right:

Round One-

Ellie’s Answers:

Batting or fielding?

Ellie: Batting

Day or night?

Ellie: Night

Dogs or cats?

Ellie: Dogs

Home or away games?

Ellie: Home

Bunting or swinging?

Ellie: Swinging

Kate’s Answers:

Batting or fielding?

Kate: Batting

Day or night?

Kate: Day

Dogs or cats?

Kate: Dogs

Home or away games?

Kate: Home

Bunting or swinging?

Kate: Swinging

Callie’s Answers:

Batting or fielding?
Callie: Batting

Day or night?

Callie: Night

Dogs or cats?

Callie: Dogs

Home or away games?

Callie: Away

Bunting or swinging?

Callie: Swinging

Jaden’s Answers:

Batting or fielding?

Jaden: Batting

Day or night?

Jaden: Night

Dogs or cats?

Jaden: Dogs

Home or away games?

Jaden: Home

Bunting or swinging?

Jaden: Swinging

Round Two-

Ellie’s Answers:

Fruits or vegetables?

Ellie: Fruits

Pop or country music?

Ellie: Pop

Fly or ground balls?

Ellie: Fly

Math or English?

Ellie: Math

Coffee or Soda?

Ellie: Coffee

Kate’s Answers:

Fruits or vegetables?

Kate: Fruits

Pop or country music?

Kate: Country

Fly or ground balls?

Kate: Fly

Math or English?

Kate: Math

Coffee or Soda?

Kate: Coffee

Callie’s Answers:

Fruits or vegetables?

Callie: Vegetables

Pop or country music?

Callie: Country

Fly or ground balls?

Callie: Fly

Math or English?

Callie: Math

Coffee or Soda?

Callie: Coffee

Jaden’s Answers:

Fruits or vegetables?

Jaden: Fruits

Pop or country music?

Jaden: Country

Fly or ground balls?
Jaden: Fly

Math or English?

Jaden: English

Coffee or Soda?

Jaden: Coffee

  After playing the game, all four softball girls had a small interview, and here is what they had to say:

 Ellie Facklam: Softball Pitcher

  How long have you been playing for Kickapoo’s softball team?

  “This is my fourth year playing for Kickapoo.”

  What are your opinions on Kate?

  “The team would not be the same without Kate. She is the team comedian and one of the hardest workers on the team.”

  Out of all the positions, why do you pitch?

  “I pitch because I like to be in control of the game and it is a high action position.”

  What has been your favorite part of playing for Kickapoo?

  “My favorite part about Kickapoo is getting the opportunity to compete and play alongside my best friends.”

  What are your thoughts on this season so far?

  “We have started the season off very well, and we hope to continue our success for the rest of the season.”

Jaden LaBarge: Softball Pitcher

  How long have you been playing for Kickapoo’s softball team?

  “This is my second year playing at Kickapoo.”

  What are your opinions on Callie?

  “Callie is one of my best friends and I love having her behind the plate because she knows me, and we connect so well.”

  Out of all the positions, why do you pitch?

  “I started pitching from a coach telling me I would be a good pitcher. I just stuck with it until now because I am not one to quit things, and I also love being a part of every play.”

  What has been your favorite part of playing for Kickapoo?

  “My favorite part of playing for Kickapoo is playing with my great teammates and playing for amazing coaches who have pushed me and made me the player I am today”

  What are your thoughts on this season so far?

  “So far this season is going really well. I am kinda sad that because of COVID a couple of our really good tournaments got cancelled, but I am just glad we have a season as of right now.”

Kate Pierce: Softball Catcher

  How long have you been playing for Kickapoo’s softball team?

  “I have been playing Kickapoo Softball for 3 years.”

  What are your opinions on Ellie?

  “Ellie is one of the best pitchers/players that I know. Ellie always keeps me laughing and having a good time during practices and games. She is my best friend and I can’t imagine softball and life without her.”

  Out of all the positions, why do you catch?

  “I catch because I love getting the opportunity to be involved in every play on the field. Catching allows me to be the coach on the field and I love getting to be a leader for my team.”

  What has been your favorite part of playing for Kickapoo?

  “My favorite part about playing for Kicapoo is getting able to play with the most amazing coaches and teammates. My teammates are truly my best friends and we always have so much fun together when we play.”

    What are your thoughts on this season so far?

  “So far, we are having a really great season, and I can’t wait to see where our season takes us.”

Callie Muldoon: Softball Catcher

  How long have you been playing for Kickapoo’s softball team?

  “I have been playing at Kickapoo for 2 years now.”

  What are your opinions on Jaden?

  I think that Jaden is such a hard worker, loves to win, and is in love with the game. She always has fun when she’s playing and makes the most out of every game, and I’m proud to call her one of my best friends.”

  Out of all the positions, why do you catch?

  “I was put into catching when I was 12 because my coach thought I would be good at it, and I’ve loved it ever since!”

  What has been your favorite part of playing for Kickapoo?

  “My favorite part about playing for Kickapoo has been being able to meet some of my best friends on the team and having such amazing coaches that help me become a better player and person everyday.”

  What are your thoughts on this season so far?

  “I think that this season we are gonna go to state! We have such an amazing group of girls that are so talented and I think that if all of us set our minds on winning each game at night, we are going to be unstoppable! We have two amazing pitchers and great seniors that will lead us there!”

  A pitcher and catcher’s relationship is what completes the team. Ellie, Jaden, Kate, and Callie clearly support each other extremely well.

  They all have a deep bond and a close friendship. Along with the other girls who play their positions, Kickapoo’s softball team is a close family.  

  If you want to support these girls plus the rest of Kickapoo’s softball team, go show them some love at their games.

  Go Chiefs!