Varsity:
The spring baseball season is approaching fast and the OHS boys baseball team is ready to spring into action, coming off of last season with intense motivation.
Baseball is a big mental game and it’s important to have both perseverance and skill in order to succeed on the field. The varsity team is very tapped into hard work and dedication both on and off the field.
“We have been getting better as a team and working harder together, really working to build a better connection for the upcoming season” said Henry Knight, junior.
An important factor in a team is team chemistry, if you don’t have a connection on the baseball field it makes it very difficult to win games.
“The bus rides with the team are really fun. I look forward to the bus rides every game because it helps us stay connected and in the right mindset to work together,” said Jaron Reed, junior.
In baseball it’s common to strike out or have a bad inning- you have to have a mindset that allows you to forget and move on so you can focus on the next play.
“Baseball is a game to go out and have fun, don’t focus on the mistakes, just see what happens,” said Head Coach Jeff Baumgartner.
As the season progresses the varsity team focuses on the simple skills in order to have a sharp game.
“We have been working hard on our mental game, so we can not let the good teams get into our heads and so we can play to our potential,” said Reed.
The overall goal for the OHS baseball team is to have a connected season to set themselves up for a good playoff run.
“I’m looking forward to making relationships with players and getting good games out of them. I’m excited to watch the guys beat teams that are better than us” said Baumgartner.
In order to work towards this goal, the varsity team focuses on creating their close knit brotherhood.
“I just enjoy going out and playing with the guys- it makes baseball fun playing with guys like that,” said Knight.
JV:
Similarly, the JV team is working hard to take on the upcoming season. They put in the work at practices and in the weight room.
“Im looking forward to competing against other teams and bonding with the guys” said Teegan Seitzer, sophomore.
A common factor amongst the OHS baseball program is the team bond. All of the teams have elite team chemistry that shines on the field.
“I can’t wait to play more games with this team, we are all really close because we have bonded well so we should play well together,” said Carson Seitzer, sophomore.
Typically players on JV have played with each other before, and that’s the reason the team works so well together.
“I have played with these guys before, we have known each other for awhile, we have even played against each other, but that really keeps us connected,” said Seitzer.
The coaches of the JV team hold them to a high standard, making sure that they work hard for their success.
“We are pushed hard every practice and every game to our fullest potential,” said Seitzer.
The JV team has high expectations for this upcoming season, even further than perfecting their seamless team bond.
“I just hope to go out and work hard with the guys and work towards a perfect season, winning every game” said Abel Santisteban, junior.
Freshman:
Typically the freshman team gets lost under the excitement of the other two teams, but the OHS freshman team works hard to walk in varsity’s footsteps.
“We work really hard to have the right tools for a good season, everyone is contributing and bringing each other up,” said Luke Gerrell, freshman.
The freshman team was quick to pick up onto the baseball team culture and have already found their flow.
“It feels like I get to play baseball with my best friends everyday and that’s a really good part about this team” said Gerell.
In order to set their team up for success the freshman work to support each other throughout the whole game.
“We are hype on the bus, hype when we are batting, and we all have a really good time with each other,” said Everett Cunninghan, freshman.
Overall the freshmen are working hard to meet the high stakes and keep the energy even higher.
“They [the team] are like family to me, I can’t wait to spend the rest of the season working hard with them,” said Cunningham
