NATCHEZ &045; Charlie Williams can admit he may be a little bit wiser on how to go about gauging how good a team can be before the start of the season.

He had high hopes for his Natchez High baseball team back in the spring before a couple of losses derailed the season. Now he’s taking over the Lady Bulldogs’ softball program and the 2004 squad that’s not big on experience and low on returning starters from a team coming off a division championship.

The Lady Bulldogs opened practice this week as slow-pitch softball began earlier this week in the Miss-Lou.

&uot;I see what all we’ve got out here, and then I think what’ve got here right now &045;we’ll be competitive,&uot; Williams said. &uot;I don’t know how many games we’ll win, but we’ll be competitive. I’m kind of going to do like I did the baseball team &045; let the older ones do what they want and try to mold the younger ones the way we want. That’s what we have to do to get it straight.&uot;

The Lady Bulldogs will be heavy on players who fit that mold this season after losing a number of starters from last season who were role players. The lineup lost some of its sluggers, but perhaps the biggest hole that needs to be filled is that of shortstop Mable Green, a four-year starter at the position and last year’s All-Metro Player of the Year.

It’s up to seniors like Tracy Davis, Chelsea Kossum and Sarah Weaver to step up and bring the team along.

&uot;We lost some excellent players, and we can never replace them,&uot; Weaver said. &uot;They were just like family. If you find a player like Mable Green, it’s like one in a million. This is my fourth year playing. We try to pump everybody up and try to show the others what to do, how to hit and how to make the plays.&uot;

But don’t let the turnover fool you, Davis said. The three can play, Wennifer Noble has gotten significantly stronger and some young players coming up can make contributions as the season goes along.

The Lady Bulldogs won’t have infielder Krystal Arnold back after she transferred to Huntington for her senior season, but they could put something together once a couple holes &045; namely pitcher, catcher and some outfield slots &045; are filled.

The Lady Bulldogs open the season a week from today at Bogue Chitto.

&uot;We’ve got some more coming,&uot; Davis said. &uot;We’re working on everything. We’re working real hard to have the same bats. We’ll have a good team this year. We’ve got new people who just started out playing softball with us, and they’re catching on fast.&uot;

The role of big stick in the lineup may be on Davis’ shoulders after she’s spent the last two seasons just crushing the ball. The left-handed slugger lets out a grunt that’s audible almost anywhere on the Natchez High campus when she connects well with one.

Davis will likely maintain the cleanup spot she’s occupied the last two seasons.

&uot;Tracy is going to be all right,&uot; Williams said. &uot;I’m not concerned with her. I tried last year to (tinker with her stance), but I told her I’m not going to bother this year. If she would stay stationery (in the box) and drive the ball, I believe she can put it out the park.&uot;

That may be possible, and Davis’ left-handed bat brings something different against teams who normally put their best defensive player in left field against the customary right-handed batter.

Davis said she’s going to try and work her stance a bit this season and even try to drive the ball the opposite way.

&uot;He’s still talking to me about that,&uot; she said. &uot;We’re still trying to get it, but it’s not easy.&uot;

The key right now heading into the season opener is filling a couple of holes that aren’t obvious. The pitcher slot is open if Tosha Davis chooses not to return, Williams said, and the leadoff position may be totally up in the air.

Kossum played a good bit of catcher last season, but she may make the move to third base with Weaver moving to the outfield. Williams said he has speedy Whitney Thomas out for softball and will try to utilize her talents somewhere.

&uot;That’s going to be a problem &045; somebody with that speed and somebody to hit the ball,&uot; Williams said. &uot;(Thomas) can run. We’ll use her to run for the catcher or pitcher &045; whoever is going to be hitting the best.&uot;

Other positions on defense may be tough to fill, although practices so far this week have not really targeted defense. Weaver could play the infield, particularly shortstop &045; what may end up being the hardest spot to fill.

Williams said he’s trying to convince basketball standout Miracle Calcote to play softball, and she could play there if he’s successful.

&uot;We haven’t even gotten (to defense) in practice yet,&uot; Williams said. &uot;I’m trying to wait until I get them all in practice. I have an idea of what I want to do. The young players are so-so. They’re the type I don’t mind working with.&uot;