As the Hamden Hall Country Day High School baseball season approaches, all eyes are on Coach Brad Chernovetz and his team. With a strong showing last year, winning both the league and New England titles, expectations are high for this year's team. We had the chance to speak with Coach Chernovetz about the upcoming season and his thoughts on the team's strengths and weaknesses, as well as his coaching philosophy.
One of the top returning players from last season is Jey Scanlon. As a center fielder, he has the ability to track a baseball and make contact at the plate. Carlos Reyes, who returns from a knee injury, will also be a key player as a second baseman. These two players, along with the rest of the team, will need to continue playing great defense and getting timely hits in order to defend their titles.
Coach Chernovetz also highlighted several new players who are expected to make an immediate impact on the team. Amato Civitello, a shortstop with great hands, will also be the leadoff hitter. Logan Charboneau, another strong hitter, will add power to the middle of the lineup. Nic Scillia, the team's number-one pitcher, and Billy Cole, a versatile pitcher and outfielder, will also play key roles.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Chernovetz looks for players who have the qualities of leadership both on and off the field. Currently, Jey Scanlon and Carlos Reyes are the captains, but there are other players who are also in the running for the role. These players must be leaders on and off the field, someone the team can look up to and go to for advice and support.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial for success on the field, and Coach Chernovetz has a plan in place to ensure his team has a strong bond. He believes that players must be leaders not just on the field, but also in the classroom. Amato Civitello and Logan Charboneau are expected to be leaders in this aspect, setting an example for their teammates to follow.
Motivation plays a key role in pushing players to reach their full potential. For Coach Chernovetz, the upcoming trip to North Carolina will serve as a way for the team to bond and get to know each other better. Being away from home and spending 24 hours a day together will help build team chemistry and motivate players to work hard and push themselves to their limits.
Preparing for the season has not been without its challenges. With the harsh weather conditions in the Northeast, it has been difficult to get enough practice time outdoors. However, Coach Chernovetz has faith in his players and their motivation to win another championship. He believes that if he has to constantly motivate them, then they shouldn't be playing the game.
The team's schedule this season includes tough opponents such as Brunswick, Greenwich Country Day, and St. Luke's. These teams are all strong competitors in their league, making for challenging games. The out-of-league schedule is also top-notch, providing the team with the opportunity to face some of the best teams in the region.
In terms of coaching style, Coach Chernovetz's philosophy remains the same as in previous seasons. He believes in consistency and sticking to the same routine that has proven successful in the past. He also recognizes that the mental aspect of the game is crucial and will continue to focus on building his players' mental strength.
When it comes to training and conditioning, Coach Chernovetz believes in the importance of the mental aspect of the game. As he puts it, "If you fail 70% of the time, you're doing very well." Therefore, players must be able to handle failure and have a strong mental game. This is something that is constantly emphasized in the team's training and conditioning program.
The team's strengths lie in their strong defense, particularly up the middle with Jey Scanlon in center field and Carlos Reyes at second base. However, the team will also have two new outfielders in left and right field, so they will need to work on hitting the cutoff man and minimizing mistakes. Coach Chernovetz also acknowledges that the bottom of the lineup will need to step up and put the ball in play to turn the lineup over.
In terms of weaknesses, Coach Chernovetz believes that the team has spent a lot of time practicing indoors due to the weather. This may pose a challenge when transitioning to outdoor games, but he has faith in his team's abilities and their past success.
In conclusion, the Hamden Hall Country Day High School baseball team is gearing up for another successful season under the leadership of Coach Brad Chernovetz. With a strong core of returning players and talented newcomers, along with a focus on team chemistry and mental toughness, this team has the potential to achieve great things this season. As Coach Chernovetz always says, "If you fail, fail forward." This mindset will surely drive the team to push themselves to their full potential and strive for another league and New England title.
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