"That's the unknown," Chesapeake coach Don Ellenberger said. "After a couple years of coaching, you start to learn the tendencies of, not so much the kids, but the different head coaches, because you find them doing certain things in certain situations. You can prepare for that, but will all these new coaches? I don't have a clue. So for the most part, it will be a feeling-out process."
McAlister, a 1999 Severna Park grad who earned All-Metro status, grew up playing softball. She learned the game from her father, Duane, who coached at Severna Park before Shepherd, and had a number of club coaches that guided her. She has taken things from each to define her coaching philosophy. The Falcons bring back 12 players, so the transition has been smooth.
With such a mature team, McAlister is giving some of her more experienced players a say in some decisions, at least early in the season. In other words, if you see the first baseman back and can lay down a bunt, go for it. If you don't feel like you can get a bunt down against this pitcher or struggled a bit on bunts during warm-ups, then hit away.
"I believe that they need to take on a little bit of the leadership and some of the decision-making themselves. So we talk about why we think we should do it this way versus a different way," McAlister said. "I let it play out that way early in the season, and then when crunch time comes later, I'll be telling them more what they'll be doing."
Shultz said the times have changed since she got her first coaching job at Andover High in the early 1990s.
"Back when I started, it wasn't unusual to have a brand new, first-year teacher right out of college jump in and take over a head position. Often now, there's a very good stepping-stone system in place where you have somebody that you can mold and guide," she said.
Schreiber, Miller and McAlister all agreed that the time spent learning from Broccolino, Shultz and Shepherd was invaluable in preparing for the head positions.
Elsewhere, at C. Milton Wright, former assistant coach Russ Kovach takes over for Joe Dunch, who stepped down after 14 seasons that included one state title and 200-plus wins. Dulaney's Lori Ryan, who led the Lions to their first Baltimore County championship last spring, stepped down, with Dave Barwick taking over.
glenn.graham@baltsun.com
THE POLL
1. Chesapeake-AA
Last season -- 23-3, ranked No. 1
