(This is an archive story, please refer to byline for author name)
By Addie Strybosch
The baseball team plays many games and tournaments during their season. This time, the bears were able to host the tournament.
Hosting the tournament brings exciting new challenges and opportunities. The coaches enjoy it, the team loves it and the turnouts are great.
“I think they know they can do this at away tournaments but I don’t think it’s the same for them knowing it’s not on their home turf,” Junior baseball manager Kayden Hargrove said. “I believe being at home just gives them different energy and the joy they get [from] winning on their home turf.”
The players don’t change how they prepare just because it’s a home game.
“Our docs begin the game by asking us questions to make sure we remember how the game goes on and when we check on the water,” Sophomore trainer Allyssa Gavrel said. “They remind us when it is time to check the water, and if we don’t know how to help an athlete, they tell us.”
The team works closely with the training staff to ensure the team is ready for the game.
“We always want to make sure our athletes are safe and healthy, so having all possible supplies needed helps ensure that,” Gavrel said. “Also, the friendly faces and fun environment that our team provides always makes the time with them so memorable and enjoyable.”
The team makes sure to pray before every game, this helps them get in the game and know who they’re playing for.
“We have more to play for because it’s at our home field, so we want to do our best and we play there every day so we’re used to it. Of course, it’s a home game so we want to get as many wins as we can,” Junior baseball player Peyton Taff said.
It’s very exciting for all of those in the ballpark when the boys begin to do well during the game, especially while playing at home.
“I believe everyone is much more hyped, almost all of their fans show up at home games more than away games and I believe it hypes them up more and pushes them to do better since it’s on their home turf,” Hargrove said.
Despite the usual preparation and the excitement of the games from earlier in the day, bad weather still made its way to the ballpark.
“It’s a hit or miss with the weather; some of the guys could hit better in the cold or play in the field better and some guys can’t hit the ball because it’s so cold out and it hurts when they hit the ball, and from what I have seen, it’s hard for the pitcher because their hands are numb because it’s so cold out,” Hargrove said. “And some of them like the cold but if it’s too cold most of them don’t want to play because they can’t move.”
There is always a plan for weather and delays and when they occur everyone is prepared.
“The cold, rainy weather never stops our team from playing, but we do have to take certain precautions,” Gavrel said. “We covered our equipment with trash bags so the rain didn’t ruin it and to ensure that it continues to work properly, and we monitored the distance of lightning to ensure the safety of the people.”
The team was able to bond during their rain delay, which helped them grow as a team.
“One of the best moments of the game was definitely that it was at home. Another one was that even though we had a rain delay we had bonding moments like spike ball and playing Madden with each other,” Taff said.
Despite all of this, they came back and played a great game.
“I feel like we played really well. We beat Aubrey, one of the best 4A teams in the state. The first day was kinda rough, but we came back the next day and played some really good baseball,” Taff said.
The team had hard appointments that they handled well during the tournament.
“I thought that we were able to get better and grow as a result of our tournament games,” Head varsity baseball coach Gilbert Ramirez said. “We played several state-ranked opponents during the tournament season.”
The coaches and team are always talking about being the best they can be in everything they do.
“When they had a great play, the guys, the coaches and managers were cheering and yelling at them because they did so well; it puts a smile on pretty much every one of their faces when someone scores and they all run out of the dugout and cheer them on,” Hargove said. “I would say the hyping up and cheering them on is probably the best thing.”