With the fall season officially wrapped up, Grizzly Softball Head Coach Brie Brooks and her squad are turning their attention toward winter conditioning, recruiting, and laying the foundational building blocks for a growing program.
Sitting down for a weekly Grizzly Update on the Ozark Radio Network, Brooks discussed the unique structure of the college softball calendar, which spans a grueling seven to eight months of the year when combining fall practice, winter training, and the competitive spring season.
“Recruiting never ends,” Brooks noted. “Whether we’re playing or whether we’re not, it is a full-time, all-around-year thing.”
Overcoming Past Hurdles and Returning Home
As the program continues to establish its roots, a major priority for Brooks is getting the team in front of the local community. During the program’s inaugural year, construction on local recreation facilities and turf meant the team had to play all of its home games in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
This year, however, the Grizzlies are excited to bring action closer to home and continue building momentum toward future facilities at the Grizzly Family Sports Park.
Roster Construction and Pitching Depth
When asked about the makeup of her roster, Brooks emphasized a commitment to keeping in-state talent local while blending players from both smaller local communities—such as West Plains, Willow Springs, and Mountain Grove—with athletes from larger competitive high school programs across Missouri like Republic, Webb City, and Wentzville.
“I think the mix between the two creates a really nice dynamic,” Brooks said.
In the circle, the Grizzlies boast a four-pitcher staff. Because collegiate softball doesn’t carry the same stringent pitch-count regulations as baseball, managing the pitching staff requires a different approach, though depth remains a vital point of emphasis as the program scales up its competition level.
Offseason Grit and Mindset
With cold weather approaching, the team has ramped up its offseason regimen. The Grizzlies are hitting the weight room bright and early at 6:45 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In addition to strength training, Brooks has incorporated distance running into the routine—not just for physical conditioning, but as a mental exercise.
“It’s being able to mentally get through something that’s tough,” Brooks explained. “It’s working through things that are hard, so that’s something that we’re focusing on to build that program.”
Brooks encourages any unsigned or overlooked high school softball players looking for a collegiate home to reach out to the coaching staff as they continue shaping the future of Grizzly Softball.
