By Matt Phelps

Lacey Smale, the new head coach for the high school’s girls fast-pitch softball team, is very different from the team’s previous coaches.

Smale is young, 22, from California, female and played softball in college. Former head coach Dave Gertlar, who had been with the program for four years, is considerably older than Smale and had deep coaching ties to softball in King County.

Though there are a lot of differences, she will have the same challenges as that of all the past Islander softball coaches who tried to build a successful program.

“I know that (Mercer Island High School) is very prestigious in academics and certain sports,” said Smale. “My main goal is for our girls to have fun and be hungry for knowledge.”

The program has not had too many successes during the past two seasons. The team has won a total of two in-league games during that time and shared the bottom of the 3A KingCo standings with Interlake, the only team they beat.

Smale is realistic in her goals for a team that started just one senior last year. She is not predicting a return to the postseason or the program’s first .500 record for next year because she knows exactly what the team went through during the 2005 season.

“I went to a high school where we won just one or two league-games,” said Smale. “It is hard for the girls to get rid of that mentality. I want to take it in a different direction as far as wins and losses, but I want them to be excited for practice and for this to be fun for them.”

Smale grew up in Southern California, where she gained her love for baseball at a young age.

“I started playing baseball with the boys when I was 6 years old,” said Smale. “But I went to an all-girls high school, so I had to switch to softball when I was 15.”

Smale also played volleyball, soccer and basketball in high school but decided to concentrate on softball by her senior season.

“It is great for kids to try different sports, especially if they are in it just for fun,” said Smale. “I didn’t like my parents telling me I had to choose one, but you have to commit to one if you want to play in college.”

Smale ended up earning a softball scholarship to Santa Clara University. She also played on and coached a travel team, the American Pastime U-18 Gold Team, where she gained more of an appreciation for coaching.

“(Coaching) is a passion of mine,” said Smale, who has also done private instruction. “Eventually, I want to become a collegiate coach, but you never know what is going to come your way.”

Smale played first base at Santa Clara for a year-and-a-half, but was forced to end her playing career due to a back injury and surgery.

“My injury made me realize how lucky I am to have had the chance to play and I want the girls to realize the opportunities they have,” said Smale.

Smale graduated with a degree in communications.

The new coach’s communication skills and youth may be one of her best assets with a very young team coming back for the 2006 season.

“I am excited about having young players,” said Smale. “It means I will get more years to work with them.”

Smale said that nothing from the 2005 season is guaranteed.

“No one comes in with set positions,” said Smale. “They will have to work and earn playing time. We are going to know how to play small ball.”

The new coach added that players will have to try new things, like knowing how to play multiple positions.

“The more positions you know, the better of a player you will be,” said Smale.

While Smale’s strength is in coaching defense and hitting, she admits that pitching is not her coaching strength.

“I have people who will help me out with that,” said Smale. “Plus, if you have a solid defense, that is the best help you can give your pitcher.”

Smale is already preparing for the 2006 season and intends to meet with 2005 assistant coach Tad Eversole and junior varsity coach Melissa Salios in the near future to discuss staying with the program.

“I am going to meet with those coaches to see if they will stay on,” said Smale. “I would love to keep them on if our coaching philosophies are the same. I also want to implement summer and fall training. I want to start by having a one or two day clinic in August. I want this to be a fun but serious program.”