Cartersville head coach Rick Holsomback said his Lady Purple Hurricanes are getting a healthy dose of the fundamentals as they learn how to become winners on the school's softball team.

"I don't define a winning program by how many wins and losses we have, but rather by if each player is getting better," Holsomback said.

So far the first-year Cartersville coach likes what he has seen in their attitudes and willingness to work.

"We have about five experienced players, including one senior, and we have about four freshmen who we are expecting to step up and play for us," he said. "We're very young."

He said the senior, Julia Shepherd, broke her finger and will miss about three more weeks before she can contribute on the field.

But the lack of returning starters hasn't diminished the team's effort.

"The girls are having fun. They are getting better and they are learning the game," Holsomback said.

This year's Lady Canes lack experience, so their learning curve may be a little longer than usual.

Holsomback said Tillery Tidwell, a freshman, has assumed pitching duties.

"She expressed an interest in pitching and she's a great athlete with some natural ability," Holsomback said.

He added a part of her motivation in accepting the pitching challenge was to help the team.

"That's the kind of player you want on your team, one who will do what's in the best interest of the team," he said.

He said junior Tinsley Dobson has some experience and will make a contribution.

"She plays both infield and the outfield -- she's pretty versatile," he said.

At third base, the Canes have Madison Geiger.

"She's a freshman who has played travel ball and has a good attitude," Holsomback said.

He said Kailah Rain, another freshman, is filling the catcher slot.

"She also has some travel ball experience," the coach said.

He said Lucy Cave and Ivey Byrd, both outfielders, are returning players from last year's team.

The team will be relying on young players to fill in and help it develop depth as the season goes along.

The coach said the fundamentals of the game are being worked on daily.

"Our practices are pretty structured," he said. "We work on the fundamentals about 20 minutes and then whatever we've drawn up."

Holsomback said the aim is to build for this year and for the future. The players are not dwelling on last year's record, 1-28, but are simply working on the skills they need.

Help is on the way, he believes.

"Our middle school team should be pretty good," he said. "We're going to be looking to build that program as well."

The softball coach said a lot of the effort to build a successful program will involve the community.

"We need to build a feeder program through the recreation department, our travel teams, starting them playing at 8 and 10 years old," he said.

Holsomback said parents also play a key role in building a successful team, from taking their youngsters to practices and games to acquiring coaches who will help them master different athletic skills.

"We need only to look at our baseball program, coached by Stuart Chester, to see the effect of a lot of community support," he said.

Holsomback is being assisted by coach Darrell Demastus, who brings experience to his position.