MIDLAND PARK — Katie Kontos looked over at her coach, listened for the three-number combination signifying the play and consulted her wristband.
The Midland Park High School senior wasn’t going in at quarterback. She was preparing to step into the batter’s box on the softball field.
The Panthers implemented a new system to relay signs this season, and it has worked flawlessly throughout their 6-2 start – even if it took Kontos and her teammates a little while to adapt.
“Originally, my co-captain Brianna Lelinho and I were totally against the wristbands,” the senior pitcher said after last Thursday’s non-conference game at Ridgewood. “We thought they would create unnecessary stress and discomfort, but they’re actually pretty great.”
The concept did originate from someone with a football background. MPHS head coach Dino Eliopoulos also serves as an assistant coach with the Waldwick/Midland Park football program, though the idea came to him while watching softball.
“I was actually watching one of the college games on the Big Ten Network, and I saw them using the bands,” said Eliopoulos, now in his second season. “And last year, I also saw Wood-Ridge was using them as well.
“We had a lot of missed signs last year, so I thought it was just a foolproof way of getting them across without missing any,” he noted. “And we honestly haven’t missed any signs all year because of it, so it’s a great system.”
To finish this story go to: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-softball/midland-park-players-finding-the-combination-to-successful-spring-1.1315697
