The GCS Softball Program provides a means to teach how a Christian should compete on the field as well as function in other aspects of life. GCS athletes must participate in such a way that honors their team, our school and the Lord.
Grace Christian is committed to developing a perspective on winning and losing that is consistent with the teachings of the scripture. We expect our athletes to dedicate themselves to this goal. Our challenge is to be in contrast to a sports world that emphasizes winning at any cost. Winning should be one of our goals, but we recognize that sports presents a beneficial learning experience, regardless of the outcome.
The mission of Grace Christian Athletics is to provide an excellent sports program that will help our students develop their God-given abilities. We want our student-athletes to honor and glorify God in all that they do (I Corinthians 10:31). Athletics is something that God allows us to do, not something that defines us. We need to make God first place in our lives (Matthew 6:33).
GCS Softball teams are 2A members of the Raleigh Area Athletic Conference (RAAC) as part of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA).
The Middle School Softball team is available to students grades 5 through 8. This foundational stage of development is the most important level of learning for our Softball program, and includes:
Middle School Softball gives us an opportunity to introduce and teach the fundamental aspects of the sport including but not limited to: catching a thrown ball, executing an overhand throw, fielding ground balls and fly balls, basic pitching, catching, hitting and base running technique.
Middle School Softball teams practice/or play at least 4x a week. Wednesday is normally the off day for Middle School Softball practice.
The privilege to wear the GCS Varsity Softball uniform is reserved for our top athletes, grades 7 – 12, who have mastered fundamental skills with increased intensity for excellence, competition, and complexity of Softball game strategies. Varsity players must demonstrate a consistent display of the core Christlike characters traits of our athletic program: Diligence, Endurance, Boldness, Obedience, Faith, Humility, and Dependability.
Varsity Softball players must be prepared to compete for playing time and work to keep it. Seniority of a player is not a factor. Our Varsity Softball players are judged on athletic ability, work ethic, attitude, and knowledge of the coach’s strategies.
Competing to win is strongly emphasized, without sacrificing the display and the development of Christ-like character. GCS Varsity Softball athletes are expected to act accordingly to their roles on the team, and contribute unselfishly in accordance with their abilities. Playing time will be determined solely by the coach/coaches. Coaches will not discuss playing time or strategy.
Varsity Softball teams practice/or play at least 5x a week with possible Saturday practices and games.
The GCS Softball Program runs during our Spring competition season, with tryouts and practices beginning in February. If you’d like more information about the GCS Softball Program, or to register for tryouts, please contact our Athletic Director.
GCS hosts a Softball Summer Camp for 1st through 8th grade, as well as an after school Softball Enrichment Camp.
Crusader Softball seeks to teach all aspects of the game through drills and exercises that focus on pitching, fielding, hitting, and overhand throwing. This camp is designed for the beginner to the intermediate player and will incorporate essential life lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship. Our coaching staff will assist each athlete in developing the fundamental skills of the game through game-based drills and daily scrimmages aimed at developing the whole player. Athletes will learn the\importance of teamwork and communication.
The newly renovated Crusader Softball field is located just a few miles from the main campus at the American Legion, complete with new fencing, dugouts, backstop poles and netting, outfield sod and drainage. We are grateful to the American Legion for allowing GCS to manage their field, but most importantly, we are grateful for our real American heroes, the American Legion Members!
Athletes from each team are selected for the following annual awards:
