More than a Club - Club Softball at Central Michigan University
Club softball provided more than an opportunity to get back on the field for Central Michigan University students Eve Hartmann and Daniella duChemin. The two thought they’d hung up their cleats after high school, but after trying out for CMU’s club softball team, Hartmann and duChemin found reasons to lace up their cleats once again.
Serving as the club’s president and vice president, Hartmann and duChemin appreciate the family dynamic their team has, as it’s something the two hadn’t experienced on a team before.
“I truly did miss softball, and I didn’t have a super great coaching experience,” duChemin said. “So being able to kind of just come onto a team that’s competitive… and, you know, want[s] to get better with you… I didn’t know if there was anything like it.”
The competitive, laid back and non-judgmental environment surrounding the team is a first for Hartmann. It’s changed her view on softball, Hartmann said.
“I did come in being a little bit bitter about my softball experience, and this changed everything for me,” Hartmann said. “I experienced a lot of cliques and… I just felt left out… That’s never been a problem ever on this team.”
Whether they’re partying, bowling or running into each other on campus, the team gets together outside of softball at least twice a semester as part of their team bonding, Hartmann said.
“We have that family dynamic… and we’re friends too so it works out really good,” duChemin said.
Hartmann and duChemin also coach the team with their boyfriends Alex Davis and Connor Traver. Serving as team managers, Davis and Traver assist with running drills and helping with grunt work like putting in bases, Hartmann said. Practices wouldn’t run the same without them.
“We do have them stand at first and third base too for base coaching,” duChemin said. “They’ve gotten pretty skilled at being base coaches.”
Having coached and played club ball for a few years, Hartmann and duChemin have a year left on CMU’s team. After graduating, both hope to leave the team better than they found it and keep softball in their lives.