Stone leads Whitefish softball team

New Whitefish softball coach Ron Stone is optimistic he can turn the tide for the struggling program.

“We’re going to rejuvenate softball in Whitefish,” Stone said with enthusiasm. “I’m looking forward to making a statement that we’re back and we’re going to be fierce.”

Stone has 30 years of softball experience and coached a fastpitch womens team in California before moving to Whitefish in 2004. He is retired.

He replaces Carrie Lamb who resigned after three years with the team.

“I just love the game and that’s why I’m coaching,” Stone said.

Stone knows it won’t be an easy road to get the Lady Dogs back in contention. Whitefish has just four wins in the past three years and the Northwest A conference is stacked with perennial powers.

“But we’re not going to be intimidated,” he said.

Stone says this season will set the foundation for the program for years to come.

“This year will be a building year,” he said.

An early goal is to hit the four win mark — double the team’s win total in 2014.

“We have to start somewhere,” Stone said.

Sixteen girls are on the team this season, led by lone senior Halle Reading who will throw from the circle.

The team has practiced for a week at the Armory while Smith Fields remains snowed over and flooded. The girls hit the batting cage on Thursday.

“We’ve got some really good sticks coming up,” Stone said.

He’s mostly focusing on the fundamentals and defense right now.

“We’re going to have fun, be sound on defense, get the fundamentals down, and winning will come,” he said. “We’ve got to be excited about it and get passion back into the game.”

Whitefish opens the season April 4 with a tournament in Cut Bank.