The 2013-14 season marks the first time that Marc Benjamin has been a head coach of a softball program.
Benjamin has taken over the reins of the Barton Community College Lady Cougars, who finished 15-26 last season.
The first-year skipper, who was an assistant coach at NCAA Division-I Southern Utah for three seasons, said things are running smoothly.
“Everything’s going well so far,” Benjamin said. “Pretty much everybody is checked in and settled into their dorms.”
Now that he’s here, Benjamin said the important thing is to get everyone on the same page.
“Without knowing the kids coming back and the kids coming in,” Benjamin said, “I think the big thing is changing attitudes.
“I don’t really know what happened last year. I know they didn’t play like they thought they should, but we’re going to have to get to my style.”
That means playing small ball.
“I want to get on base, steal bases, move runners,” Benjamin said. “Hopefully, they’ll understand what we’re trying to do here, and we can get on the same page.”
Benjamin’s experience also comes from his playing days. He has played fast-pitch men’s softball internationally in New Zealand and Australia.
“I’ve played at the highest level for men,” Benjamin said. “A lot that I’ve learned, I learned while I was playing. I’ve played for Larry H. Miller, the former Utah Jazz owner. That was one of the top 10 teams at the men’s level.”
Now, Benjamin said he’s looking forward to getting his head coaching career started.
“That’s the reason that I’ve started this,” Benjamin said. “I’ve always wanted to be a coach. It keeps me in the game.”