The Morgan softball team is lucky enough to have two, new experienced coaches for the 2024 season. The new head/varsity coach is Daniel Marsh, and his assistant/junior varsity coach is Paul Hamilton. Coach Marsh is excited to work with the team to start developing the large group of underclassmen and new players into a strong team, and is confident in having a good season.
Coach Marsh grew up in Hartford, CT, but moved around, and ended up in Salem. When he attended college at Eastern Connecticut University, many of his friends were lacrosse players from Glastonbury, and he was talented at lacrosse. He transferred to Southern Connecticut University to pursue lacrosse, but overtime, he grew a love for softball. He would play baseball in Twilight Leagues, which led him to play fast pitch softball. He enjoyed pitching for men’s softball teams like the CT Lawmen, and the Lamanic Police Department.
Marsh decided to coach softball after watching his daughters, Nikki and Alex grow up playing the sport. Originally he signed his daughter Alex up to play Little League Baseball, but he was told she wasn’t supposed to be playing, and should be playing softball instead. When he switched Alex to softball, he noticed that the girls on the team weren’t getting the chance to grow. At the time, the boys playing baseball were able to pitch to each other, but in softball the coaches pitched. He wanted a chance to better his players. Therefore, Marsh became the President of Little League Softball in his area and implemented rules to benefit his players who were learning to play and pitch. He created the rule where the girl was able to pitch a few batters, and if she walked a lot of them, the coach would step in. This gave his girls the opportunity to hit off of a real pitcher, and get practice pitching in a real softball game. Marsh then put together the first ever 10u All Star team for Salem, and ended up being successful in the All Star Tournament, winning second place. He went on to coach the CT Bombers travel softball team when his daughter Alex was eleven. He continued his love for coaching softball with his partner Paul Hamilton.
Coaches Dan and Paul have ideas on how to start a very strong season and continue this path for the rest of the season. Coach Dan talked about how he believes that a strong season needs to start with the players having confidence in their skills so when they get on the field they’re ready and feel secure in themselves. Both coaches want to make the Morgan softball team stay on the right track and lead them to multiple triumphs by playing aggressively to everyone’s strengths. He plans on working on the players’ skills in a variety of practices and games by getting a feel of what the team needs to be better, while helping each player improve their weaknesses. They want to get to know each player and make this team a safe space.
Coach Dan wants to take advantage of all the resources available to make this season one of the best for the Morgan team. They want the players on the team to show initiative by setting goals. They want players that are open to improving and someone who takes criticism well by taking it into consideration and focusing on improving. They are looking for open-minded players willing to go out of their comfort zone to improve and learn new things. Most importantly, they want the team to be like a family and for the players to remember to just have fun.
