Heavy Metal Fastpitch, the Richmond Hill based 14U girls travel softball team, just wrapped up Camp Rock 2009, the team’s preseason training camp, and are actively competing.

Coaches Andy Jennings and Brett Anderson came up with the idea of a focused "camp" approach to begin this season focusing on fundamentals, conditioning and developing a winning attitude.

"Last year, this team was basically a continuation of our previous recreation season," Jennings said. "It was new to all of us, and our practices were at times scattered and unfocused. We learned a lot last year, and I wanted to start this season off with a new approach so that we can get the most out of our team right from the beginning."

The team hired Paul Jordan, a certified personal trainer from 24/7 Fitness in Richmond Hill, as an assistant coach in charge of conditioning and fundamentals training.

"Paul has some experience coaching college baseball, and he is great with our girls," Jennings said. "He helped us out with our off-season conditioning program during the fall and winter, and it just carried over. The team responds to him well, and it frees up Brett and I to focus on the big picture a little more. We can already see a difference."

The players can see the difference as well, as the season has already produced some wins.

"I’m proud of the girls for the work they have already put in," Jennings added. "They’ve already pushed through that first wall – and they will be able to get more out of themselves as we get into the season."

The 2009 campaign includes 12-14 events between now and July. In addition to several local tournaments, planned destinations include Atlanta, Statesboro, Panama City Beach and Disney’s Wide World of Sports.

For more information on Heavy Metal, call Jennings at 547-1973.