Looking to bring stability to last season's sometimes shaky girls softball program, Incline High School announced the hiring of former University of Nevada Reno baseball coach, Del Youngblood.

Youngblood, who also managed in the Cleveland Indian's organization and coached softball at Feather River College in California, said he was ready to retire, but wanted a shot at teaching the game to girls.

"I have all sons," Youngblood said. "And my brief experience teaching and coaching girls was very enjoyable and I felt I wanted to that again."

Youngblood said he's already looking at his prospects for next season and knows it will be a challenge.

"I think we can have a lot of speed next year and I'm not against playing 'small ball' to win games," Youngblood said. "But first and foremost, we'll be drilling the kids on fundamentals. That can't be done enough."

Incline athletic director Dan Schreiber said getting Youngblood was a lucky move.

"The guy is so qualified. We're fortunate to get him," Schreiber said. "And I've never seen anyone so organized. He will be great for the program."

So organized is Youngblood that, one day after being named to the position, he began listing team rules and prepared a sheet of information for parents.

"The game is very simple on the outside, but full of complicities on the inside," Youngblood said. "I want the girls to win, but I also want them to respect the game, learn the game and have fun."

Although he hopes to have a big enough turnout of players next season to put together a junior varsity squad, Youngblood said if he can't, he definitely wants a woman on his coaching staff.

It would be great to have someone on staff that can relate to the girls more on the gender level," he said. "Like I said, I had all boys so it would just be easier to have someone there to translate."

In an effort to take early inventory for his next year team, Youngblood said he would be holding informal get-togethers starting this week.

"I can't do anything more than just an open gym, and it's not required," he said. "It's just a way for the girls to get to know me and get a little head start before the weather turns."

Looking ahead to next season, Youngblood said he's anxious to get started.

"I love the game and want to pass that passion along to the team," Youngblood said. "We should have a great season."

For information on the softball program, call (775) 832-4260.