Batter Up! On and Off the Field at John Rolfe Middle School’s Softball Team

At John Rolfe Middle School, softball is more than just a game or a sport to the players. It is a community, where they build and learn teamwork, responsibility, and confidence thanks to a coach who supports and guides them as athletes and students.

Coach Morgan Walker has knowledge and experience with softball alongside being a health and physical education teacher. 

“I know the game. I have a daughter that plays softball and the students came to me and asked me to coach for the team,” said Walker.

Walker is heavily invested in helping the players achieve their goals, not only as a coach but as a teacher. Through softball, she sees how players grow in many different ways. 

“I think it teaches them how to socialize, network, communicate, and be disciplined. In the outside world, they’re going to need discipline when they get older and obtain their future jobs,” said Walker. “I try to teach them to be accountable and I also try to teach them to be independent and responsible.”

Teamwork is a very important aspect, whether it's for sports or a job. It teaches students how to come together and try to achieve a goal successfully. For the Lady Jaguars, teamwork helped the players be more open to conversations.

“I think teamwork helps with building relationships, routine bonding, and communication. If you lack team bonding and communication, there's no way to be a team,” said Walker.

Sports teams frequently go through many challenges but always find a way to overcome them. As a developing program, the team has suffered frequent losses this season. Like many sports, Walker recognizes softball is 80% mental, 20% skill. 

To support the players’ mental game and overcome challenges, Coach Walker has them reflect on the game together, reinforcing positive values and affirmations.

“To overcome their challenges, we do a lot of positive reinforcement. We do a lot of mental work with the players after the game,” said Walker. “We always go around to each player and allow them to say two positive things from the outcome from the game.” 

This season, Coach Walker has seen a student grow as both an athlete and student. 

“I have one eighth grader who struggled in the classroom but I believe stepping up as captain of our softball team really helped them mature in and outside of the classroom,” said Walker.

This student recognized and corrected her actions in the classroom and on the field. This had a great impact on the other players, showing them what leadership is. 

“For example, this student knows when to be at the softball field within five minutes, other players saw that and immediately followed behind,” said Walker.

Extracurricular activities and sports are very important for middle school students here at John Rolfe. 

“I think sports are important for middle schoolers because it keeps them busy, on task and on the right path. I think having every student in a school activity will help them stay engaged and on the right path of life,” said Walker.

Overall, the John Rolfe Middle School softball team is where students are being taught many life skills and how to achieve their goals, not just on the field but also in the classroom.