Fort Bragg’s Nerve Wrecker girl’s fast pitch travel softball team swung into action in Saturday’s competition, taking part in their first tournament at Aycock Recreational Complex in Henderson, N.C.

The team is comprised of mostly seasoned players ages 10 to 14-years old looking to continue honing their softball skills during their respective schools offseason.

“When I came here, Shugart Elementary School had just started the fast-pitch team and the teams were always getting beat,” said Wayne Davidson, Nerve Wrecker, head coach. “The teams they were facing had so much more experience on us.
“I decided since my daughter plays, I wanted her to have the same advantage as other teams that play year-round,” said Davidson.

Nerve Wrecker players meet three times a week at the Shugart Elementary School baseball field to practice hitting, fielding and pitching. Practices are used to sharpen basic skills, but also are a time for coaches to highlight teaching points and to correct weaknesses.

“I’ve seen tons of growth in the players,” said Davidson. “We felt that if players wanted to continue playing after the school programs end, then this fits perfectly because it runs so players can be ready when their other fast-pitch programs start.”

The inaugural season has a team steeped in experience with players looking to come together as an offseason travel team.

“I love working with the team,” said Katie Stump, 14, pitcher and first baseman. “I’ve played it (softball) since a really young age so it’s kind of stuck with me. We’re really close on this team. We are like a Family out here,” she said.

Players practice and are trained to play every position on the field, but specialize in skills with which they feel most comfortable.
“I love that I can control how fast everything goes,” said Stump.

Softball is a game of streaks — players are encouraged not to get too high over success and not too low when they are struggling.

It’s a lesson that Stout seems to have learned.

“You have to remember, when you mess up, you have to get over it quick,”  said Alliyah Stout, 12, a pitcher and second basemen.