SCHUYLERVILLE — Coach Katie Bottisti has been the head coach of the varsity softball team in Schuylerville for the last two years, she was the JV coach for four years. This isn’t her first time on Schuylerville’s softball team, she played on that same field in high school.
Bottisti’s assistant coach is Amy Weed, who was Bottisti’s coach when she played on JV.
“[Amy Weed] has been with the program forever. I don’t even know how long, a long time,” she said.
Bottisti describes last season as “a really good year. We lost to Cohoes in sectionals, but the team had some young players and a couple starting seniors. We lost a tough one, but it was a good year overall. I think our potential this season is limitless at this point. It’s going to come down to how bad the girls want it and what they’re willing to work for.”
Bottisti cites Caitlin Kelleher, Emily Vallee, Christine Putman, and Teagan Andrews as her star players this season. Kelleher will be attending Cazanovia College next fall to play softball.
As far as who the team’s underdog may be, the possibilities are endless.
“I think anyone could be the underdog, I don’t know what to expect, we haven’t been on the field yet so I’m unsure. I hope everybody,” she laughed.
Aside from physical practice, Bottisti loves to get the girls involved with visualization.
“We did a team bonding thing where we talked about if they’re in a situation where they strike out and how do they want their teammates to react? If they make an error, what do they want from their teammate or coach? We went through all of those expectations and what they expect from me and what I expect from them. I love to do visualizations, you know, closing their eyes with the bat in their hand and then picturing themselves in tough situations and being successful,” she described.
The team likes to host four dinners a season for bonding, so they can be good on the field and good as a group, as well.
As far as their biggest competition this season, “in conference it’ll be South Glens Falls and when it comes down to sectionals, Ichabod Crane,” Bottisti predicted.
Bottisti’s favorite part of coaching is, “getting to know the girls on more than just a teacher level. I see them in math classes but then I get to be a part of their college choices and I get to know them on a different level.”
Schuylerville’s first softball game takes place Monday, April 16 against Glens Falls at Schuylerville High School.
Team Headshots by Super Source Media.
