As the cold of winter turns into the warmth of spring, the Bluebirds baseball team is preparing for another competitive season.
With all the returning varsity players, Highlands is focusing on challenging Ryle, the reigning champs, for the 9th region title. Coaches are anxious to get back on the field, and the players have been waiting the entire offseason to get back to baseball.
Highlands’ baseball team has always been a contender, but they have not won the region since 2017, which only increases their hunger to get back to the top. However, this does not happen right away, as the team has been training hard to reach the spot that they’re at right now.
“We’ve especially been working on our routine fielding plays, because we struggle a little bit there. We can’t make mistakes in these areas, and they can be especially detrimental if you make them in-game,” Adam Forton (12) said.
The Bluebirds have been consistently practicing through fall and winter with weight training and batting practice. That being said, there is definitely still more to work on, even with the seniors on the squad.
“I’m mostly focused on my hitting and pitching, because that’s where I’ll be found on the field usually. I also can play outfield a little bit as well,” Iain Carner (12) said.
Although the offseason training is important, players’ pre-game routine is also paramount to their performance on the field. Different players find their motivation from different things, but they all get the job done while playing.
“I like to read my Bible before games to help me remember that the only reason I’m here is because of Jesus, and that he’ll take me as far as I can go as long as I stay with him,” Carner said.
However, the players will always face multiple challenges, no matter how much they prepare for it, and they have all found their ways to cope with the adversity.
“My go-to pitch is usually a curveball, and really you just gotta be able to let go of any previous mistakes that you’ve made. It all comes down to not panicking and making sure you keep your head in those tough situations,” Forton said.
Overall, if the Birds maintain the focus on their end goals and can continue on a steady path, they will bring those goals to fruition.
“Obviously, the result we’re hoping for is to be holding that trophy up in the last regional game, but to get there it’ll take all of us working together and helping each other to be the best we can possibly be,” Carner said.
