Sophomore Rachel Brown and junior Max Perlman look to lead Harvard's softball and baseball teams to success in 2010.

A look at the Harvard baseball and softball lineups.

From the Diamond to the Dugout

Nearly every day this February, Dana Roberts has made the trek across the river for softball practice, just as the senior has for the last three years. But when she comes out on the field now, she doesn’t lace up her cleats and start throwing warmup pitches. Instead, she takes a seat on the bench and takes a glance at the practice plan.

Roberts won’t be seeing any time on the field in her senior season. Instead, she’s embraced her new role as an assistant pitching coach.

For the Love of the Game

It’s Game 6 of the 2003 World Series.

All eyes are on 23-year-old Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Beckett, starting on three days’ rest with his team one win away from beating the New York Yankees and clinching the title. But while most spectators are watching the ball fly out of Beckett’s hand as he dismantles the Yankees’ lineup en route to a complete-game shutout, Harvard baseball coach Joe Walsh has his gaze set just above the open top button of Beckett’s jersey.

One-Two Punch

It’s nighttime, and the lights are on at a sports complex in Huntington Beach, Calif. Players jog onto the field and split off to their respective positions, with one heading towards the center of the diamond. It’s Jessica Ferri’s turn to pitch against the Corona Angels, a team she’s played against many nights during her time with the Valley Breeze 18U Gold travel team.

But tonight is different. Ferri knows that there is a set of eyes in the crowd intent on seeing her best throw. After all, it is recruiting season, and she has something that Harvard needs: a strong arm.