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OU softball ready to get it going again, heading to Cali

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•02/05/25•

BPrzybylo

It’s different OU players getting on the planes, getting on the buses, but it’s that time again. Time for the 2025 softball season to get underway.

The Sooners begin with a four-day, six-game trek through California (Thursday-Sunday). On paper? It doesn’t feel like the biggest test ever.

It’s not the big-time national tournaments that will draw the crowds. But for this group? It’s all a test, every last bit of it.

“Well, first I got myself in a little bit of trouble because I’m not trying to condemn those that are putting on tournaments that are not related to college softball,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “I’m really not doing that, and I owe someone an apology.

“Besides that, I have a lot of passion for, I grew up in California. That’s where my coaching career started. A lot of our players are from that area. I just thought, ‘We’ve got to go find weather. We got to find good teams.’ This is not going to be an easy challenge for these guys, because I’m taking them from San Diego. Get on the bus. Let’s go to Cal State Fullerton. Get on the bus. Let’s go to LA. Get on the bus. Come back. Let’s go to Long Beach State.”

Gasso’s goal is to help those programs out, by bringing the attendance. Anything to grow the game is good in Gasso’s eyes. 

“I want this team to understand that other programs are as important as we are,” Gasso said. “I find it very important to, I don’t know how much money we might be able to help them with, but if it’s anything that can help their budget, help their stadium, anything, I just felt it the right thing to do.”

Developing chemistry

There weren’t any questions the last four years. Gasso knew the players. The fans knew the players. As Gasso has said repeatedly, it wasn’t about real coaching.

The real coaching is back. Watching every little thing, on and off the field, has returned. Because she doesn’t know what she has with the 2025 team. Potential? Loads of it. Can it be realized, can they all come together?

“We have a lot of bus rides this first weekend,” Gasso said. “And bus rides are where you connect. If you’ve ever been on a team, if your bus is quiet, then you got a problem. If your bus is rocking, then good things are going on. If there’s a lot of laughter. But sometimes it’s quiet because they’re sleeping as well. So there’s a lot of things that can be happening. 

“But as long as there is energy and fun at times, you know they are connecting. What is important is that individuals don’t show their frustration because maybe they’re not getting what they want or they’re not in the lineup as much. They — I still need to see and feel good teammates. Good, like, for the team versus for self. And not everybody’s going to get probably what they want. But that’s part of being a team. And that’s where the captains step in and recognize those things.”

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