2B | SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS Siuslaw from 1B only has two seniors with any varsity level experi- ence — from two seasons ago. “We're just trying to build around that,” O’Mara explained. “We're trying to get more girls out, which is hard to do in this situation where we don't have the kids all in school every day. So, our numbers are kind of in that in-between zone in terms of whether or not there will be two teams [JV and varsity]. It’s just trying to do the best you can with what you’ve got and coach- ing the girls that show up.” The two players return- ing with varsity experience are junior Bailey Overton, who plays shortstop, and senior Lizbeth Garcia- Galvan, who plays second base. Aside from those two positions, O’Mara says things are still very much in the air. “We’re still evaluating, trying to decide,” he said. “We’re evaluating all the players and their positions and moving them around — and I’m assuming that, right up until Monday’s practice next week, we’ll still be trying to make some solid decisions on who will be a starter, who’s more of a substitute and who might not really see any game time in the first game. “There are still a lot of decisions to be made.” The issues a coach would normally face in the pre- season have been amplified by the lack of time coaches have to get ready for that first game. “It’s a very, very fast turnaround,” admitted O’Mara, “but everybody’s in the same boat with that. We have such a wide variety of experience — including no experience at all —and trying to deal with that in six practices and get ready for our first game. So, it’s going well, but there’s a lot of work to do.” Another issue O’Mara is facing is that some of his players are still partic- ipating in this final week of Season Two [fall] sports, so they haven’t been able to make prac- tice this last week. These players will only have Monday to get prepared with their team for their first game, which takes place Tuesday. “We have some softball players that are cheer- leaders,” said O’Mara, “and they’ve still got a game on Friday night to cheer at. So, there’s a little bit of overlap for the shar- ing of the athletes going on this week, and after that the numbers should somewhat stabilize.” The first day of prac- tice, O’Mara had 15 play- ers show. Thursday, that number increased to 18. “So, it’s getting better in terms of numbers,” he said. It will be a quick start but, fortunately, as long as weather allows, the team will get to compete in the same number of league games as they would in a normal school year. “We really have not lost any league games,” said O’Mara. “The state set a limit on the number of games we could play with COVID, and it just hap- pened to be the exact number that we would normally play in league.” But what is different is that there are no non- league “tune-up” games prior to taking on Sky- Em League opponents. “That’s when we try to work out all the kinks,” said O’Mara. “So, we lost those. But in terms of league play, we’re going to see everybody — weather NED HICKSON/SIUSLAW NEWS Sean O’Mara watches the team practices running from third base to home plate in a drill designed to teach situational awareness aroud the diamond. permitting — when we would normally see them.” Although O’Mara is looking forward to compe- titions, this season his focus is more on the whole player than on the big win. “I think that some of the goals we are starting to talk about for the season defi- nitely deal more with our skill development, our atti- tude and our effort that we can bring to practice every day,” said O’Mara. “So, we’re trying to focus on the things that will make us be more responsible, have better self-discipline, over- come adversity and, at least at the beginning, we’re try- ing not to be focusing so much on that big game moment — that win or that loss.” Long-term, O’Mara feels that this approach will bring more meaningful improvement to his play- ers. “We’re focused on improving ourselves, meet- ing each individual where they are, and saying, ‘Okay, now how do we get you to be better with whatever skill you need, and be bet- ter with your mental approach to adversity, challenge and those kinds of things,’” O’Mara explained. “And those things aren’t necessarily new in my program, but they’re magnified this year due to the lack of time we have with them and the quick turnaround.” With this season playing out the way it will, the coaches have a short time to work with their players and begin to build back some of the momentum lost from their programs in the past year. Building back this foundation now is vital to programs returning to normalcy next school year. “We want them to come back,” said O’Mara. “We want them to have a great experience so that they will want to come back out next year when things are hope- fully more normalized. “If we do end up falling short of numbers for two teams [this year], by them having a good experience, that word spreads. And pretty soon you’re in good shape; you're at that 24 number or so when you can easily have two teams and keep continuing to develop even more, and just keep the ball rolling.” If O’Mara can reset the stage during this shortened six-week season, the Lady Vikings have a lot to look forward to next spring and seasons to come. One advantage O’Mara does have this year is that he is one of the only return- ing coaches in the league. “I don’t know about Junction City,” he explained, “but all the rest of [the teams in the league] have a new coach; I may be the only returning coach in the league.” According to O’Mara, this season will be telling as far as learning each school’s new coaching style. “You never really know what you’re going up against coaching-wise when you've got new coaches until you get out there and play them and see what their mentality is about the game,” he said. “Are they short gamers or are they long bombers? Are they wanting to run different kinds of strategies that you don’t normally see, or are they more stan- dardized softball? In that way, it will be a very inter- esting season as every- body’s trying to get a read on what everybody else does and how they operate to see if they can counter it.” Overall, there are simply a lot of unknowns with this coming season. But O’Mara and the Lady Vikings will take it one day at a time and, for now, he is finding the positive — including being grateful for what they do have, such as time on the field. “The weather’s been pretty cooperative, so it’s been nice to be outside again,” said O’Mara. Siuslaw’s first softball game this season will be away at Cottage Grove on Tuesday at 5 p.m., followed by a doubleheader at home next Friday with Elmira, at 3 and 5 p.m. FLORENCE FOOD SHARE Here to alleviate hunger and enhance the health and dignity of people in Lane County. Because no one should go hungry. Ever wondered if you qualify to receive food from us? Your income has to be at or below the income level in this chart: HOUSEHOLD SIZE MONTHLY INCOME ANNUAL INCOME 1 $3,190 $38,200 2 $4,310 $51,720 3 $5,430 $65,160 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL MEMBER ADD $1,120 PER MONTH OR $13,440 PER YEAR We also need: Your Name - Number of household members & your address. 2190 Spruce Street Florence, OR 97439 (541) 997-9110 fl orencefoodshare.org WE ARE NOW HIRING! CAREGIVER POSITION Are you a caregiver or have you ever considered becoming one? Spruce Point Assisted Living & Memory Care is seeking compassionate, service-oriented individuals who have a knack for providing assistance to those in need. You don’t have to be certifi ed; we will train you and help you get up to speed, if you’re not already! If you desire to work in an upbeat and supportive environment that is packed full of love, give us a call or send us your resume. $250 Sign on bonus. COMPETITIVE WAGES • FRIENDLY WORK ENVIRONMENT PROPER ON-THE-JOB TRAINING • SUPPORTIVE TEAM & COLLABORATION FAIR HOURS SPRUCE-POINT.COM • 541.997.6111 • FLORENCE • BWINGFIELD @SPRUCE-POINT.COM Do you part and volunteer today to help support these organizations in our community. We need your help! Florence Habitat ReStore is in need of cashiers on Saturdays. If you have spare time and want to give back to your community in a fun environment give Floyd a call! 541-997-5834 Assisting those in need in our Community. Free Hot Meals Mon-Wed-Fri 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM HELPING HANDS COALITION New Location:Community Baptist Church 4590 Hwy. 101, Florence (Across from Fred Meyer) Call 541-997-5057 to Volunteer relies heavily on volunteers. Th ere are many opportunities to volunteer and a variety of skills and talents are always in need. Volunteer interest forms may be found online, at the shelter and at our Th rift Shop on Bay Street. www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org/volunteer/ Saving men one PSA test at a time. 541-997-6626 maribob@oregonfast.net Someone to talk to... who understands! To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441 Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun CHURCH DIRECTORY To include your organization in this directory, please call us @ 541-997-3441 THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST FOURSQUARE CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337 2705 Munsel Lake Road, All are welcome! Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family. Zoom Worship Services: 10 AM & 11:30 AM Sunday. Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m. Bishop Larry Farnsworth 541-999-1979 Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall. Website: florence4square.com COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418 NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A. Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45 21st & Spruce Streets—997-8113 Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. – Pastor Jim Abbott, All are welcome. Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m. Sunday in-person worship service@ 10:30. Also available to you on website www.florencenewlifelutheran.org. CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533 Sunday Services are 9am and 11am and on PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW Facebook live and KCST at 11am 3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136 Wednesdays at 7pm Internet and in person Sunday services at 10AM, https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online Call the church for details. Other platforms update after the service. Reverend Greg Wood florencecrossroadag.org All Welcome. Come as you are. office@florencecrossroadag.org RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) “War is still not the answer.” FCNL FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Since we meet in homes, we are taking a mindful pause. 2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for information. Service is on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. Sunday Service also streaming live at 10:00 am RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S. at florencechurch.com Worship Services 10am 1st & 2nd Sunday and 8am 3rd & 4th Sunday FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST 85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038 Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16) DVD of Weekly worship service available. 1833 Tamarack Street www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcflorence (2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.) Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m. ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH www.churchofchristflorence.org Welcomes you to Worship Services Sunday at 9am and Wednesday at 11am FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH 2135 19th St. – 997-6600 1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523 Reservations Required Call or Email Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School) standrewssecretary19@gmail.com Mid-Week Activities, all ages. Labyrinth & Garden Open Daily 8am - 5pm www.standrewsflorence.org FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST 4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951 SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M. CATHOLIC CHURCH Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M. 1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312 COVID-19 Compliant Masses have been scheduled. FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP Please call our office for details. 87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road RUAUU? All are welcome to explore the answer. Until it is safe to meet in person, Sunday Worship Services are available 24/7 on our website: www.florenceuuf.org FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025 Link to Sunday services at www.florenceunitedmethodist.org or find us on Facebook. Give us a call 541-997-3441 to get us your updates or email to: mberg@thesiuslawnews.com