MOSES LAKE — Summer softball is upon us, and travel teams throughout the Basin are gearing up for another year of action. Heading into this summer, Head Coach Bob Richardson is hopeful for another successful season of growth.  

“If we get better every single game, we learn from the little things, that's a success to me, the girls are getting better, and we as a group are getting better. So as long as there's growth and progression, that's a successful season for me,” he said.  

According to Richardson, last year the team finished around .500 and saw a lot of senior players finish their last season with the team. The 14U team took fourth place at Nationals, the 18U team was runner up and the 16U team placed third. This year, he said they will be a lot younger. 

“I think our first tournament will tell me a lot because these girls have a lot more experience than they did when we last finished our tournament in November,” Richardson said.  

The team plays from June to early August before taking a small break and continuing to play from September to November.  

Richardson has been working with the Rage since 2008 when his oldest daughter was playing. He said he saw a desire from the young players to travel to tournaments and seek more challenging competition, so he helped form the Rage.  

According to Richardson, summer softball has been beneficial to players looking to improve between high school seasons and eventually continue at the collegiate level.  

“Some want to play college (softball), while others just enjoy the sport so much that they're more likely to play other sports in college, but they want to be better for their high school teams,” he said. “We try to get the best coaching that we can to help these girls move on to the next level if that's what they choose to do.” 

Despite getting a younger roster this year, Richardson said his team will have many strengths to utilize. Incoming player Kennedy Lyons and Eastmont’s Malorie Lane are expected to be the pitchers for the Rage. He said he has known them for a while now and has seen the progress they have made.  

“They've gotten progressively better as time has gone on, so I think my pitching is going to be solid. Offensively, I've got a few good bats. My catcher, Amelia Borchert, hits with power, and she's a left-handed batter, which is always fun to have in the lineup,” Richardson said.  

Richardson also worked on the Mavericks coaching staff last season as a pitching coach and said he could see the progress of the players. In part, because of the time they put in during the summer to improve their game. According to Richardson, as long as he can help the athletes improve and go on to help their teams be successful then he is doing the right things.  

“Seeing them grow from where I get them to where they're growing day in and day out at the high school. That's exciting. That means they soak it in; they really want to be better. So, when I see them progressing day in and day out, that's pretty exciting,” he said.  

    Washington Rage players and coaches receive their 4th Place trophy at the NAFA Summer Nationals tournament in Newberg, Ore., in the summer of 2024. Head coach Bob Richardson is eager to help his team improve and become better players.