How can you not be romantic about softball?

In the 2011 award-winning film “Moneyball,” Brad Pitt asks the simple question, “How can you not be romantic about baseball?”

Jesse Nesper, the head coach of the Mission-Arlee-Charlo softball team, turned the phrase just slightly as he watched his team practice from the dugout. “How can you not be romantic about softball?”

Spending just a few minutes with the Polson and MAC softball teams before practice, it’s easy to see why they are successful, with players simply having fun and enjoying every moment.

“Being around each other before games, knowing that we love this game, we love each other … it feels nice,” said Polson senior pitcher Samantha Rensvold.

The MAC and Polson teams are battling for a chance to place high on the state totem pole, but they are also battling the expectations brought on by years of success for both programs.

Over the past few years both Polson and MAC have found themselves among the top finishers in the state and this year with both near the top of their respective divisions the expectation seems to be the same. 

“I think that’s it – just knowing what we have and not comparing ourselves to what we have been and just not taking what we have for granted,” said MAC outfielder GG Hawk on how her team stays focused on the now.

Both coaches have been successful in their takeovers of previously top-notch teams, however for them, all the credit goes back to their staff and players.

“They’re great girls you know … They’re powerful,” said Polson head coach Jami Hanson.

It’s hard not to see why both coaches take such pride in their teams with athletes who seem to know so much about the big picture of who they are playing for.

“We represent three communities and three schools, and all those communities are different. We represent native communities, and we represent non-native communities, and we all do it in a very positive way,” said MAC outfielder Brooke Tanner.

As tournament time and the end of the season approaches and both teams prepare for one last push, it seems the sky's the limit if they can get their minds right.

“There’s a lot of practices where we sit down for 20 minutes and we just talk about our mentality and what it needs to be for the rest of the season,” said Rensvold.

As far as the elevator pitch for why you should keep watching the rest of their games, GG Hawk makes a good case.

“I would watch this family go out and compete and play for the love of the game. Like right now watching all my teammates warm up we all just look like we enjoy it and love it,” she said. “What makes me want everyone in all three communities to go out and support us is because I know every girl deserves love and support from everyone.”

The State Tournament for Polson is in Columbia Falls starting May 22 and the State Tournament for MAC is in Glasgow also starting May 22.

    MAC assistant coach Janeal McDonald throwing soft toss to Madisyn Hanken at practice. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)