Here’s a change – both the Bangor and Brewer softball teams can actually see their respective fields for the first time in years on the first day pitchers and catchers can report thanks to the snow shortage this winter.

And once the teams start regular-season play, there are plenty of other changes in store for the Rams, the Witches, and the rest of the Eastern Maine Class A teams making their debut in the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference.

Bangor, Brewer, and Old Town all have new coaches this year, and those teams along with Hampden Academy and Nokomis of Newport will face a host of new schools in the KVAC.

Despite clear, mostly dry fields, neither the Bangor nor Brewer teams chose to practice outside Monday. It’s still a bit too cold. But everyone was eager to start throwing and catching – and to get to know their new coaches.

Bangor’s Don Stanhope had six girls out Monday afternoon – teams are allowed 10 with the rest of the squad reporting March 27, but two Bangor players were out sick and two more were on a band trip.

“This is only like the fourth time I’ve met him, but I’ve only heard good things about him from everyone I’ve talked to,” said Bangor’s Kelly White, who is in her fourth varsity season as a pitcher and shortstop. “He’s obviously come in with a ton of enthusiasm and he’s got some fresh ideas. I think it’s going to be good.”

Stanhope was hired to replace Nancy Snowdeal, who resigned last fall because of conflicts with some parents over playing time.

The Rams welcome back several key players, including White, infielders Ilyse Angst, Emily Heath, Amy Hackett, Courtney Stevenson, and Alex Fahey, center fielder Tawyna Godinez, and pitcher Amy Wadleigh, who came on strong in her freshman year.

But Stanhope said everyone will head into tryouts with a chance to start.

“Every spot’s available,” he said. “You’ve got to earn it. There’s also a balance, with kids who have been here before and are some of the better players in the state. You have to balance it. That’s what coaches do.”

White, Wadleigh, and Katy McDonald will make up a tough and experienced rotation.

“It’s really nice to have very capable pitchers to back Amy up,” said White, who would rather play shortstop if she could make her preference known. “We’re very well-rounded and very deep, and we have a lot of players who can play anywhere.”

White is looking forward to the change in leagues. Bangor, Brewer and the rest of the former Penobscot Valley Conference Class A teams will now get to face squads like defending state champion Messalonskee of Oakland, Skowhegan, Lawrence of Fairfield, and Eskine of South China, which all have strong programs.

The Rams are hoping the change will help them advance a bit farther in the playoffs – they haven’t made it past the quarterfinals in several years.

“It’s really nice to see some western pitching, some western teams. It’s a different style of play,” White said. “It seems like they’ve got quicker pitchers who mix it up very well, and I’m excited that we can see that all along during the season and instead of just slamming it on us in the playoffs.”

Mel McGrath, a former Bangor and Husson College standout when she was known as Mel Deyone, is a new assistant coach this year.

New Brewer coach Harry “Skip” Estes and eight Witches pitchers and catches – two didn’t take part Monday because they had participated in a blood drive earlier in the day – were also stuck in the gym.

Estes took over for Kelly Cookson, whose contract wasn’t renewed this winter after Brewer softball player Stacey Gomm, her mother, and her stepfather filed a notice of claim alleging that Cookson had verbally abused Gomm during a team cookout last spring.

The former junior varsity coach, Estes is a familiar face to most of the girls on the Brewer team – as is Stanhope, who was a longtime Brewer Middle School softball coach – so the Witches feel comfortable with him.

“We love him,” said pitcher-infielder Julie Lorenz. “He’s a good guy.”

It’s a strong endorsement for Estes, especially from a group that fought to bring back Cookson and got emotional at times. Estes said he knows the team has been through a lot.

“The girls went through quite a bit of highs and lows in the past six months,” he said. “I told them, this is their program. And I’m hoping it stays positive. We just have to take one day at a time while we get started.”

Like Bangor, the Witches will also return a host of experienced players, such as catcher Sarah Risser, third baseman Christine Thoms, second baseman Katie Quimby, outfielder Ashley Hawkins-Kimball, and pitcher Jordan McLain.

The three-time defending PVC champion Witches are also excited to play in the tough KVAC.

“I think it’ll be good to play different teams,” McLain said. “We’ve been playing the same teams over and over again in our regular schedule, so it’ll be cool to see different teams.”

And in a matter of weeks, everyone should be on their fields.

“I’m so excited,” White said. “I can’t wait to get outside.”

Old Town will replace coach Mike Thurston, but athletic director Greg Thibodeau said the school department has yet to make the hire official, but that will come at a meeting tonight.

Bangor field coming along

The Bangor softball players have been on the new field at the high school for almost two years. This year, players and fans will likely see more major improvements.

Thanks to donations from several local companies, Stanhope said, the scoreboard will be working, there will be electricity in the press box, a sound system may be in place, and a concession stand could be open.

“My goal is to have it all done in the preseason, but it’ll be done this season,” he said.

One business donated the wires and conduits from the outlet in the old scoreboard to the new one. Another donated sheetrock for the press box-concession building. The inside lights and outlets and switches have also been donated. There’s a bathroom sink, a stove, and a sound system should be in place soon, thanks to donations.

The team is pursuing a refrigerator, countertops for the kitchen area and some netting for the spectator area near home plate.

“It’s coming along,” said Stanhope, who added that most of the donors prefer to remain anonymous.

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or jbloch@bangordailynews.net.