April Steele, Whitney High School, Head Softball Coach
Placer Sports: For those of readers who have not lived in the Placer County area for very long, how many years have you been coaching and where have you coached?
Steele: I coached 1 year as an assistant at Casa Roble High School. I was the head coach at Rocklin for 3 years before moving over to Whitney. I moved over to Whitney when the school opened and have been the Head Varsity Coach at Whitney for 3 years.
Placer Sports: Did you play any high school or college sports? Where did you attend school and what sports did you play?
Steele: I played at Casa Roble in high school and graduated in 1997. We won a section championship my senior year in 1997. I played college softball at Humboldt State University. In my four years there we ended as 3rd in the nation and won a National Championship. I was also an All-American at 1st base.
Placer Sports: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as a coach?
Steele: I feel my biggest accomplishment as a coach is starting a brand new program at Whitney High School and making play-offs our first year of varsity.
Placer Sports: Is there someone in your life, as a kid or as an adult, who inspired you to get into coaching?
Steele: I feel like I was always meant to be a coach. From day 1 of playing I have been the kind of player that is thinking about the game all of the time. I also feel that my college coach “Coach Cheek” helped to inspire the way I coach. I wanted us to have knowledge of the game as I expect from my players. Is an amazing coach with an amazing track record.
Placer Sports: What is your coaching philosophy, if you have one?
Steele: I feel like the biggest aspect of my coaching philosophy is having the players think about what is going on. I don’t want them to just know where the play is, but why the play is there and other options. I believe that there are often a couple of possibilities in a lot of situations and if they are thinking about what they are doing that is more important then anything else. I also believe that there are many aspects that are just as important at skills on the field itself. I believe in focused intensity, team chemistry, and being a well rounded you lady are extremely important.
Placer Sports: What is it that you enjoy most about coaching?
Steele: There are many aspects of coaching that I enjoy. I really enjoy teaching the girls of the dynamics of the game. I love when a player leaves with knowledge and confidence as a young lady. I also love the relationship I am able to develop with each player. I enjoy watching them grow and develop. And anyone who has ever coached girls sports know that girls are so much fun to be around.
Placer Sports: If your players could tell us something about you that only they would know (a routine, a superstition, etc), what would that be?
Steele:
Placer Sports: For those who have not seen your team play, what would you like people to know about your team? Who should we be looking for?
Steele: If you have not seen our team player you would want to take a look at the team chemistry and intensity of our team. They are a great bunch of girls who want to win, truly know the game, and have fun. You can’t beat that!
Placer Sports: Does your team have a rival?
Steele: With in our league Bear River is the team to beat with in our league. But Rocklin is our overall rival.
Placer Sports: How many more years would you like to coach?
Steele: ? I am not sure how long I am going to coach for. I plan on coaching for awhile, but I also have children of my own. I have a 3 month old and a 2 ½ year old and I want to make sure they are not cheated at all.
