“I will not play a real game outside until high school season, which starts in late March,” Justus Perry, a 2016 infielder from Prior Lake, Minn., explains in her latest blog for StudentSportsSoftball.com.

“When it comes to the dreadful days of playing in the dome is when the hard work truly comes into play.”

That’s what the next few months brings for Justus, who also racks up serious flight miles as she and her father travel the 1,000 miles to and from Birmingham, Ala., to practice on the weekends with her club team the Birmingham Thunderbolts. 

Perry was a 2^nd team “AAA” All-State pick this past year as a freshman and led her high school to the state championship game.

She had originally committed to Arizona State, but with the coaching change and Clint Myers now at Auburn, she’s headed to the SEC and will play in the same state where her club team practices.

In this blog, she talks about what she does to train and keep her softball skills sharp when the weather turns bad in Minnesota.

Be sure to follow Justus’ blogs and all those from our other great bloggers!

 

 

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As the fall season nears its end, so does playing outside for me.

Living in Minnesota is a real disadvantage when it comes to Fall/Winter. Days are shortened, along with daylight. I will not play a real game outside until high school season, which starts in late March. When it comes to the dreadful days of playing in the dome is when the hard work truly comes into play.

All fall and winter I am in a very vigorous workout program called “Molitor Athletic Performance.” I train very hard focusing mainly on conditioning, footwork, and strength.

Molitor’s is by far the best workout program I’ve ever been in. My trainers focus on muscles and movements I use regularly, and don’t just randomly pick exercises for me to do.  Everything I do directly relates to softball.

For extra practice on my high school team, we play in a winter dome league. Two games every Sunday for eight straight Sundays. It’s definitely different from my warm experiences in Birmingham, but it’s a great experience.

My team has a lot of fun and the dome is a great place to fix any kinks you’re trying to work out. Playing on turf is something I’ve definitely got used to, having played dome ball for several years.

When I heard the Bolts Stadium in Birmingham was completely turf I was ecstatic knowing playing on turf was one of my strong suits. I’m very excited for the winter season, but definitely not the cold!

“Ouy era ton tsuj nrob htiw tnelat. Tnelat si deniag hguorht drah krow dna noitanimreted.”

–Justus Perry (@Justus_Perry18)