Rebuilding: Slater working to put ND softball program on the map

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on April 26, 2014 11:17 PM

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aetzler@newsargus.com

CALYPSO -- As North Duplin's softball practice winds down with bunting drills, some of the players pick up the balls and shoot them into a bucket.

Todd Slater laughs as some of the balls hit off the side of the bucket and the rest are airballs. It's good-hearted fun -- a sign of his mild-mannered temperament where he lets the players enjoy themselves as long as they get the work done on the field.

"He doesn't yell or get up in your face when you do something wrong, but he still gets his point across," freshman Mary-Beth Barwick said. "He's a little more laid back about it."

Slater is the fifth head softball coach at North Duplin in the past 14 seasons. Most took the job without intentions of long stays, but that's the not the case with Slater, who wants to build a program that will compete on a high level.

The Rebels aren't off to a bad start.

North Duplin is 6-5 overall -- but, more importantly -- 5-2 in Carolina 1-A Conference play. Slater's team sits alone in third place, one-half game behind Spring Creek and Rosewood, who are each 6-2 against league opposition.

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Slater starts five freshmen and two sophomores.

Most of the team has played together for several seasons with the Calypso Diamonds travel-ball team. They've developed a chemistry and bond comparable to older teams that have veteran upperclassmen.

"We all have experience playing a lot of games," freshman Brooke Cottle said. "Even though we're a young team we've played a lot of ball."

Though he is labeled as the "head coach," he spreads the credit and team's success among his assistants -- Max Barwick and Daniel Cates. Barwick has been part of the North Duplin program since 2006 and has coached the girls in either recreation leagues or travel ball.

"Every girl on that field has played travel ball together," Barwick said. "They've all played for different coaches so they are receptive to all the different styles."

Cates coached several of the girls in basketball.

A native of Michigan, Slater moved to the area nine years ago. He comes from a baseball background where he coached at Mount Olive Middle School.

Switching to softball has been an adjustment because of how differently the games are played, but he said one of the biggest changes is handling high school girls compared to the middle school boys he'd grown accustomed to being around on the practice field.

"Approaching girls you have to be a little more patient with them," Slater said. "I've found myself having to not yell as much because they take it a little more personal. But they've handled it well. We haven't had much drama with this team."

Slater's biggest challenge has been building the lineup.

"It's taking a little bit more time figuring out where to put everyone ... just working on finding that one lineup where everything clicks," he said.

Slater said the Rebels still haven't played their best despite their solid start. Everyone in the lineup has shown some inconsistency at the plate, and not hit together as a team.

"If we do though, watch out," Slater said.

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The Calypso program is key to North Duplin's success and it must continue to grow. Slater hasn't made a commitment to coaching in the rec league, but hopes to meet with the coaches and discuss philosophies so the programs can benefit each other.

Slater's son plans to get involved in baseball.

"By the time we're ready to (graduate) those girls will be able to come take over," Cottle said.

And by then, Slater just might have a team that can compete for a state championship.

"That's the goal. That's always the goal," he said.