Chris McLaughlin knows the nerves are coming.

But they aren’t here yet, and that suits the first-year Gardiner baseball coach just fine.

“They’ll come when I get into the third base box for the first game,” he said. “Or when I take the lineup out to home plate. That’s when it will hit me. I’m just settling in now.”

Monday marked the opening of full squad practices for athletic teams.

Practices were conducted in gyms for many teams, including the veteran-heavy Tigers.

“With 30 kids in the gym, it limits what you can do a little,” McLaughlin said. “But we got back to basics a little bit (and) worked on a few things. We’ll get outside (today), which will be nice. We’ll be on a field and can get into game situations. They need to see some live pitching, so that will be beneficial.”

McLaughlin, 28, who is the West Gardiner fire chief, graduated from Gardiner in 2002. He coached the Gardiner junior varsity team last season, but acknowledged the jump to varsity will force him to change his style a bit.

The Tigers are among a handful of teams that could contend in Eastern B. They return all but two starters.

Gardiner went 11-6 last season and qualified for the postseason before losing a prelim game to Hermon.

“The way I go about it may change,” he said. “I’m coaching at a higher level now. The focus at the junior varsity level is to get them ready for the next level. It’s a different focus here. We want to make the playoffs. We have high expectations.”

So, too, does the Richmond softball team, the defending Western D champs.

The Bobcats, who return all but one starter, opened practice Monday with aspirations of another strong season.

The challenge, coach Rick Coughlin said, is keeping the team focused, particularly in the early going.

“If we keep our focus, we should be OK,” he said. “We’re very excited for the season, though. We have a chance to be very successful.”

Added senior captain shortstop Danica Hurley: “Obviously, we wish we could get going right into the season. We still have a lot to improve on.”

And, Coughlin says, that includes the offense.

Richmond mustered just five hits in a 7-2 loss to Deer Isle-Stonington in the Western title game last season. Coughlin said four of those hits came from its top three hitters.

“We have to improve the offense,” he said. “We have to work on our hitting.”

The Bobcats did just that Monday in a drill that involved a deflated soccer ball set up on a tee.

“It’s a new drill,” Coughlin said. “Instead of hitting a softball on a tee we’ll have them hit a deflated soccer ball. It really helps them drive the ball. We want them driving through the ball.”

The Maranacook track and field teams spent a little time outdoors Monday.

Coach Ronn Gifford said more than 60 student-athletes came out, which is about 10 more than last year.

“Success breeds success and interest,” said Gifford, whose boys team won the Class C state title last season. “Our captains did a good job recruiting, too. We really focused on kids who do other athletic events but nothing in the spring. The program is building.”

Gifford added the Black Bears were able to get in plenty of work Monday.

“It’s not 80 degrees anymore, but we did a little of everything,” he said. “We went indoors and out. We went for a run. The pole vaulters learned grip and pole carry. The sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers did mini acceleration work, but nothing too strenuous.

“We have 20 new kids to the program, so we’re trying to get them familiar with it. Right now, we’re just trying to get a sense of where the skill set lies.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmaine.com

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