As the new season approaches, the Summit High School baseball team is gearing up for another successful year on the field. With a strong returning core of players and some promising new additions, Coach Gregory Manuel II has high hopes for the team's performance this season.
Last year, the team fell just short of its goal of winning a district championship and advancing through the playoffs. However, with a strong focus on team chemistry, attention to detail, and unselfish play, the team is determined to come out on top this year.
Leading the team are some key returning players who have proven themselves as top performers on the field. Conner Burtch, a senior middle infielder, is known for his big bat and impressive defensive skills. Junior pitcher and infielder Gavin Schramm brings a big-time arm to the team and is expected to make a significant impact this season.
But it's not just the returning players who will be making an impact. The team is also excited to welcome some new players who are expected to make an immediate impact. Davin Roush, a fierce competitor and bulldog on the mound, is set to lead the team as a senior. Lucas Dawson, a junior field general behind the plate, is known for his leadership skills and will play a vital role in the team's success. Aiden Britton, a sophomore who started in 90% of games at shortstop last year as a freshman, is expected to be a big catalyst in the team's lineup.
When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Manuel looks for players who embody the qualities of leadership, dedication, and a strong work ethic. This year, the team has four players who fit that description: Davin Roush, Ben Pedrick, Lucas Dawson, and Conner Burtch. These players will not only lead the team on the field but also uphold the standards and culture that the team has created.
Team chemistry and camaraderie are crucial components of any successful team, and the Summit High School baseball team is no exception. Coach Manuel believes that the best way to foster this is by upholding their standards and maintaining the culture they have created. With players spending a lot of time together off the field, the team has already built a strong bond that will only continue to grow throughout the season.
To push his players to their full potential, Coach Manuel focuses on encouraging, teaching, setting standards, and holding them accountable. This not only helps them become better players but also instills important life skills that they can carry with them beyond their high school baseball career.
As with any sport, preparation is key, and the team has been working hard to overcome its biggest challenge: keeping young 15-18-year-olds engaged and focused on the day-to-day process of becoming a successful team. With each passing year, this task becomes increasingly difficult, but the team is determined to stay disciplined and motivated.
Looking at the team's schedule for the season, it's clear that they will face some tough opponents. With five top-25 teams on the schedule and 21 district games in the toughest district in Tennessee, the team will have to bring their A-game every time they step onto the field. But these tough matchups are also opportunities for the team to grow and improve, and Coach Manuel is looking forward to seeing his players rise to the challenge.
When it comes to coaching style, Coach Manuel remains consistent in his approach. He believes in coaching hard and fast every day, pushing his players to be the best they can be. He does not believe in changing his coaching style from one season to the next, as he has seen the most success with this approach.
In terms of training and conditioning, the team has made some changes and improvements to their program. They have placed a strong emphasis on the mental aspect of the game, recognizing that baseball is predominantly a mental sport. Short-term memory loss is crucial in this game, and players must be able to move on from mistakes and focus on the next pitch. The team's training and conditioning program also focuses on building strength and agility, as well as injury prevention.
As the Summit High School baseball team gears up for another season, they are focused on their goals of winning a district championship, a regional championship and advancing through the playoffs. With a strong team, dedicated coaching staff, and a winning mindset, they are prepared to take on any challenge that comes their way.
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