John Sandstrom and I—along with many others—are officially ‘over’ winter. We didn’t manage to get in as much ice fishing as we’d hoped, and although Sandstrom took his skis out, he missed the chance to hit the trails. We agreed it was a long and peculiar winter, and we’re both eager to leave it in the rear view mirror.
I dare say both of us—and likely many others, again—are especially ready for spring, as it marks the much-anticipated arrival of softball and baseball season.
The Two Harbors Agates softball team had already completed a handful of practices by the time I spoke with Sandstrom, now in his third year as head coach for the girls. He had spent the weekend looking forward to their Monday session.
“I just can’t wait for practice today,” he said. “I have so much fun. They are so much fun, and I just really enjoy them.”
Right now, the team is focusing on the fundamentals—like mastering the proper footwork for fielding ground balls. As Sandstrom put it, “I think these kids are learning the game. That sounds simplistic, but it’s not. It’s about hitting the fine points.”
To follow the pun, hitting is one of the most challenging feats in sports. Sandstrom emphasized that he never faults his players for striking out when they’re swinging for the fences.
“I tell them, just swing the bat. The worst that can happen is you’ll miss,” he said. “In softball or baseball, even if you fail seven out of ten times at the plate, you’re still batting .300—and that makes you a hero.”
He has some heroes on the team, including two seniors: Addy Bentler and Marlee Hogenson. Bentler will take on the role as a catcher for the team. Sandstrom shared that Hogenson, a post-secondary student, is set to graduate from Lake Superior.
“Boy, they are great kids. We have five seventh graders and they’re going to be good players and they are super nice kids and great students,” Sandstrom said. “They’re really good at bringing them into the group. That to me is so important.”
Not only are they exceptional mentors, but the seniors have also stepped up to assist their coach when he’s been substitute teaching in Silver Bay and needs to make it to Two Harbors for practice.
“They’re just responsible kids that I can ask them to do something and get the kids going if I’m going to be late,” Sandstrom said. “They’re great people.”
The team, which has a roster of 18 to 21 players, also includes two returning juniors: Viveca Uremovich and Lydia Lifto. Last season, both players showcased their versatility by contributing in multiple infield and outfield positions.
Sandstrom noted that the team welcomed a new addition this season, junior Leia Farhat, who transferred from New London-Spicer.
“She’s a really nice person and is really going to be a good player for us. She’s a quality kid and a quality player,” said the coach. “She’ll help us out a lot.”
This season, the team also includes five sophomores. Among them are returning players Raegan Hogenson, Lainee Anderson, and Hayden Bright.
“They were dumped in there as 8th graders,” Sandstrom said of the three girls. “Now they’re 10th graders. They’re bigger, stronger, and more confident than they were as young players.”
The coach describes the schedule as a ‘tough’ one, with the team facing strong and talented opponents such as Esko, Proctor, Moose Lake, Silver Bay, and Cromwell-Wright.
“They’re all good teams,” Sandstrom said. “We’d like to think we can play with a number of them.”
Sandstrom doesn’t expect the team to be perfectionists—he simply asks them to do their best. He tells them, “Put your heart into it, play as hard as you can. The goal isn’t necessarily to win, but it’s to play to win and strive to win and put your heart in and try to get better at every practice and every game. If we do that, it’ll be a success.”
He believes this philosophy extends far beyond the girls’ softball careers.
“You can’t go through the emotions in anything in life as you get older. You have to put your heart into your job and into everything you do. If you do that, whatever happens-happens. But if you don’t, you’re going to regret it for a long time,” he advises the team.
Sandstrom recalled a survey he reviewed while earning his coaching certificate, which revealed that the number one reason kids play sports is to have fun with their friends.
“I want these kids to get done and say it was fun and that they had a good time and a good experience. I think for every coach it’s a big effort on their part,” Sandstrom said.
The coach believes that sports provide the chance to build lifelong bonds. He still goes fishing with his high school teammates from fifty years ago, and, as he admits, they continue to tell the same stories and laugh every time.
Being part of a team also prepares these young women for future success in life. Sandstrom highlighted a survey showing that 91% of women in business leadership roles share a common foundation: a background in high school athletics.
Sandstrom shared his perspective on why this number might be so high, stating, “You’re learning how to get along with people different than you, and you’re learning to be mentally tough, and you’re learning to deal with failure. You learn when you make a mistake you just got to bounce back.’’
When I told Sandstrom that I was excited to collaborate with him this season while following the local softball teams, he responded that he’s always happy to take any chance to brag about the girls.
“The kids in this district, I can’t believe how poised they all are, and friendly, and what good students they are,” said Sandstrom, who has also worked with Silver Bay athletes. “I bet between the two schools 90% of them are on the honor roll. I think it speaks well for our district and for both communities.”
He often tells the parents of the players, “You should be proud of your daughter. She is pretty special.”
I’d venture to say—and I’m sure many others would agree again— that their coach is pretty special, too.
Best of luck this season to the Agates girls softball team, who take on the Cardinals at Cromwell-Wright for their season opener on April 3rd!
