The Charles Henderson softball team is undergoing a changing of the guard in 2014. The Trojans are without a group of veteran starters and long-time head coach Robin Snider. But the new-look team doesn’t want anyone’s pity. They are going straight to work.

New head coach Trent Givens wants his team to “dominate everything” and has put certain criteria in place to bring excellence out of his players.

“Everything we do has a purpose,” said Givens. “From the way we put our gloves down when we stretch, to the way we stand in the batters box and on deck circle, to how we take infield and how we run. We have to strive to get better every time we take the field, and so far this group has done that.”

The 2014 edition of the Charles Henderson softball team will feature an extremely young, inexperienced lineup.

But Givens isn’t letting his players use that as an excuse.

“The oldest player we will have this season will be a 10th grader,” Givens said. “We have a real special group of young ladies. They have exceeded every gauntlet we have put in front of them. They have responded with every flying color every time.

Givens spent three seasons as an assistant coach of the Charles Henderson baseball team prior to becoming a softball assistant last season.

The softball team is adopting the manta of the baseball team, instilled by head coach Derek Irons, of getting “ 1 percent better” every day.

“I was with Coach Irons for three years before coming over last year,” said Givens. “We always told the players to get 1 percent better everyday, and they did. It worked for the baseball team last season, and we want to instill the same work ethic in our girls. This group is up to the challenge, and they are not afraid of putting in the work.”

Charles Henderson opens the 2013 season at home against area foe Bullock County on February 18.