Submitted photo
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
A revival of sorts is currently underway in Rainbow City.
After a 20-year hiatus, Westbrook Christian is reinstating its softball program, and the man at the controls is Chris Williams, who was hired last month by the school as a teacher and coach.
Williams (pictured at right) brings with him a top-notch pedigree, with head coaching stints at Springville, Asbury and Crossville. Williams spent 18 years at Springville, winning state championships in 2015 and 2016.
With the Lady Warriors set to take the field in the spring of 2025, Williams has wasted no time in getting out the numbers.
“We’ve had a couple of days of evaluations and had a really good turnout with about 20-plus kids,” he said. “We have several girls who couldn’t make it but will be there in June when we’ll do an eight-day evaluation, and I think we’ll have 25 to 30 kids to fill out a varsity and junior varsity team after we have official tryouts in the fall.
“There might be a few seventh or eighth graders who will earn the right to be on the varsity, but for the most part, [the varsity] will be with girls from ninth through 12th grade.”
Williams noted that several girls currently in junior high play travel ball, so although his first few teams might be young, they will not lack in competitive experience.
“That will make for an easier transition,” he said. “That group is where we’re going to develop a program from.”
Williams shared a few immediate and future goals for the program, which over the next two years will compete in Class 3A Area 11 with Glencoe, Piedmont and Ohatchee.
“I told the girls the other day that we’ll enjoy this first season as best we can and to try win more games than we lose. Two years from now, I expect us to be in a lot better situation. As far as long-term is concerned, within the next three years I want us to have 30 or 40 players with a seventh and eighth grade team and a junior varsity team along with a varsity team that will compete for a spot in the state tournament.
“With my background, along with the excitement we have and the athletes we have, we should have a chance to accomplish that. It doesn’t mean that we will, because there are no promises in this sport, but I can promise that we’ll compete and get after it.”
Although the subject of a softball facility on campus is under consideration, Williams said that the locations where the team will practice and play next spring are yet to be determined.
“[Westbrook athletic director and head football] coach [Steve] Smith has been gracious enough to allow us to use the football field for evaluations,” he said. “During the next couple of months, we’ll be in discussions about [locations], but we should have plenty of opportunities. Right now, the plan is to have six home games and play 12 on the road, and we’ll go from there.”
Williams appreciated the support he’s received from the Westbrook co-mmunity since his arrived on campus last month.
“There’s been a lot of excitement about it, and I’ve had a lot of people offer their help with things that we need,” he said. “We’re looking forward to getting started.”