As the spring season approaches, excitement is building for the Fairport Harding High School baseball team. With a strong core of returning players and promising new talent, the team is poised for a successful season. We had the opportunity to speak with Coach Jerry Hites about the team and their goals for the upcoming season.
The top returning players from last season include Yomar Castellano, Elijah Harless, Wyatt Slovkovsky, and Nate Wright. Coach Hites highlights their strengths, stating that Castellano brings speed and athleticism to the team, Harless is the best pure player on the team and can play multiple positions, Slovkovsky was an All-County player as a freshman last year, and Wright was the team's leading batter. These players not only have talent on the field, but also bring valuable experience and leadership to the team.
In addition to the returning players, Coach Hites is excited about the new players who will make an immediate impact on the team. Yomar Castellano's younger brother, Abraham Castellano, is a freshman who shows great potential and is already displaying leadership qualities. Peyton Kallay and Landyn Muzzin, also freshmen, are battling for a captain role due to their strong work ethic and positive attitude. Coach Hites looks for qualities such as leadership, motivation, and the ability to bring out the best in their teammates when selecting team captains.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for any successful team, and Coach Hites emphasizes the importance of leadership in creating a strong bond among players. He looks for players who consistently do the right thing and have a positive influence on others. The team also participates in activities outside of games and practice to build relationships and strengthen their bond as a team.
Motivating players to reach their full potential is another key aspect of Coach Hites' coaching philosophy. He believes that a successful team consists of players who are not only talented on the field but also have a strong work ethic and a desire to improve. Coach Hites and his staff work on building a team culture where players support and push each other to be the best they can be.
Preparing for the upcoming season has come with its own set of challenges, as the team looks to build upon last year's development. With zero varsity baseball experience, the team had to adjust to the level of play and build their skills. However, Coach Hites is confident that the team has grown and improved, and will continue to do so throughout the season. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process rather than the end results in order to continue this growth.
The team's schedule for this season is shaping up to be a challenging one, with tough opponents and games to look forward to. Many of the players also play on the school's basketball team, which is expected to have a deep postseason run. This overlap means that the baseball team will have to balance their time and energy between both sports, but Coach Hites believes that this will only make the team stronger and more resilient.
When asked about any changes made to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Hites mentioned the importance of mental preparation. The team works on maintaining a consistent mental approach, whether they get a hit or strikeout. This mental toughness is crucial in a sport like baseball, where players must be able to bounce back from failures and stay focused on the game.
In terms of his coaching style, Coach Hites believes in consistency and maintaining a positive and supportive environment for his players. He values the importance of teamwork and instilling a strong work ethic in his players. With a dedicated coaching staff and a talented group of players, Coach Hites and the Fairport Harding High School baseball team are ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season and continue to build on their success.
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