Baseball Practice has begun in preparation of tryouts in January. Tryouts determine if a player has the five tools needed to play: hitting, fielding, speed, arm strength, and general knowledge of the game.
Practice and conditioning before the tryouts allow coaches to work with each player’s abilities and see how players work together.
Coach Paul Scheno says, “The legs feed the wolf.”
Athletes start base running, pitching, catching, and fielding ground and fly balls to prepare for the upcoming season.
With more players trying out this year than previous years, it’s tougher to decide who will fill the desired seventeen spots. But that may not be a problem in head coach Scott McLeod’s view.
“We’re a lot younger this year, although the nucleus of the team is back and that’s all we need,” says Coach Scott McLeod.
A major change that all coaches and players will have to deal with this year is the move to Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution (BBCOR) bats.
Hitters must now use BBCOR bats that deaden the trampoline effect the bat has on the ball and, in turn, do not send the ball as far.
The team also lost some senior members of the pitching staff.
Even with the new bats and pitching staff, the team doesn’t seem too worried.
“We plan on winning region for the third time in a row, taking care of business in the playoffs and winning state,” says senior Mel Kitchens.
Many of the seniors are eager to win state.
Senior Zack Haralambis says, “We’ve been playing baseball with each other since we were younger and it has always been a goal to win state with them.”
The team is determined to achieve their goal.
“We have to play as a team and not individuals. This year we get to learn from our seniors and grow as players as the season progresses,” says junior Barrett Charpia.
After tryouts, the season kicks off with a scrimmage against South Aiken on February 12th. The first home game is on March 10th against AC Flora. The coaches and team will be looking for a lot of support from the student body and community at the games this year.