For the Syracuse University softball team, playing indoors on FieldTurf gets old after a while. Real old.

Over the past month, the Orange has called the Carrier Dome home, practicing in the loud house since the first day of the second semester, Jan.12.

But taking batting practice and shagging fly balls under the lights of the Dome has become redundant for the squad. So when Syracuse opens its season against New Mexico today, senior catcher Amy Kelley and the rest of the team will welcome the fresh air and warm weather wholeheartedly.

‘It’s going to be exciting,’ Kelley said. ‘It’s hard being cooped up I guess, so we are looking forward to getting out there on the dirt; even though you’re a veteran, you still kind of get butterflies.’

The Orange travels to New Mexico for a first pitch at 5 p.m. today, playing the Lobos Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. afterward.

Senior infielder Nicole Miller believes the Orange won’t have any trouble adjusting to the conditions.

‘We have been practicing indoors for the last three months, but it’s still new after three months to get out there on the dirt,’ Miller said. ‘But I think we will get used to it right away.’

Perhaps the senior, who batted .257 last year, is confident that Syracuse will adjust seamlessly because of all of the work the team has put in since the team returned after Winter Break, following fall ball a few months back.

Just ask head coach Leigh Ross.

‘They just need to trust in all of the work they put in,’ Ross said. ‘We know that we can be a championship team and compete with some of the better teams in the country.’

Ross and the rest of the Orange feel they have improved in many aspects over the past month, especially when it comes to producing runs.

‘This year we have really improved on our hitting,’ Miller said. ‘I think that we will be a strong hitting team this year, and producing runs will be one of our main goals, this weekend as well.’

‘The one big difference with this team is going to be our power numbers,’ Ross said. ‘Power and producing runs.’

When the team does take to the dirt in Albuquerque, perhaps the transition to the true softball weather and conditions will be made easier thanks to one thing – chemistry – even though Ross feels this team is, ‘a different team from the last two years with a different attitude and a different look.’

‘We all get along really well, and we have really good chemistry on the field,’ said Kelley, who didn’t miss a game last year while batting .387.

‘We want to go out there, have fun and get some wins this weekend.’

Ross reckons that the team chemistry of her squad this year is truly something special, equating it to more than just the normal relationship between teammates.

‘They really like each other, this team accepts each other for who they are,’ Ross said. ‘They treat each other like family.’

To start the year, the Orange will face many unknowns, as it embarks on a 25-game road trip to start the season. Last year, Syracuse played its first 26 games on the road, and lost the first 13.

For now, the Orange is eager to break out of the confines of the Dome and show another squad what this new-look team has been working on all of January.

But at the same time, Ross doesn’t want the team to forget just how unique of a venue the Carrier Dome truly is.

‘I’m sure they are excited to get their feet back on the dirt,’ Ross said, ‘but I want to remind them that they have the greatest indoor facility in the country, thank you very much.’

aolivero@syr.edu

Published on February 6, 2009 at 12:00 pm