The Leechburg Area School District baseball team is gearing up for another exciting season and Coach Heath Shimer is confident in his team's abilities. As the head coach for the past four years, Coach Shimer has worked tirelessly to build a strong team culture and instill important values in his players. With a strong group of returning players and a few new additions, the team is ready to take on their opponents and push themselves to their full potential.
One of the biggest strengths of the team this year is their pitching staff. Coach Shimer emphasizes the importance of their performances in keeping the team in every game. Along with solid pitching, the team will also need to limit errors on defense and maintain consistent hitting to achieve their goal of winning the section and the WPIALs.
The top returning players from last season include Chase Henry, Jayden Floyd, Jake Cummings, Rocco Vigna, Steven Senjan, Garret Jones, Mason Bertino, and Jaxon Vargo. These players have all bought into Coach Shimer's system and lead by example. Senior Chase Henry, who has been a captain or assistant for the past two years, is expected to continue his leadership role on the team.
In terms of new players, the team did not graduate any seniors last year, so Coach Shimer has everyone back. He believes that this group of young men will make an immediate impact on the team. The team's three freshmen, Dylan Whitlinger, Cameron Shimer, and Logan Turiak, are all pushing for a spot on the team. They are determined and hungry to earn their place on the field.
When it comes to choosing team captains, Coach Shimer looks for players who possess qualities such as communication, leadership, accountability, and integrity. They should also be able to inspire their teammates, make decisions, and be respectful. This year, seniors Chase Henry, Jayden Floyd, and Jake Cummings are all strong candidates for team captains, and Coach Shimer believes they will help foster team chemistry and camaraderie.
To motivate his players to push themselves to their full potential, Coach Shimer has built a strong team culture focused on personal growth and development. He believes that being a successful coach means not only teaching his players to be better baseball players but also better humans. He encourages his players to set goals for themselves, both on and off the field and works with them to achieve those goals throughout the season. Positive reinforcement and mid-season reassessments are also important tools in helping the team reach their full potential.
Preparing for this season has had its share of challenges, with the unpredictable weather being the biggest obstacle. However, the team is determined to overcome any obstacles in their way and stay focused on their goal of winning the section.
The team's schedule for this season includes tough opponents such as Serra Catholic, Union, and Western Beaver. Coach Shimer is confident that his team can compete for the section title and is particularly looking forward to a non-section game against West Shamokin. After suffering a tough loss to them last year, Coach Shimer and his team are eager for redemption.
When it comes to his coaching style, Coach Shimer has not made any significant changes from previous seasons. He continues to prioritize the mental game, understanding that it is just as important as the physical aspect of the sport. He encourages his players to have a strong mindset and works with them to develop mental toughness on the field.
In terms of training and conditioning, the team has made some changes and improvements. Coach Shimer believes that the mental aspect of the game is paramount, and has included mental training as a key component of their training program. Along with physical drills and exercises, the team also works on developing a strong mindset and mental resilience to help them perform at their best.
In conclusion, the Leechburg Area School District baseball team is ready to take on the challenges of this season with a strong pitching staff, a dedicated group of returning players, and a few new additions. With a focus on team chemistry, personal growth, and mental toughness, Coach Shimer is confident that his team will have a successful season. The team is determined to win the section and the WPIALs, and with their hard work and determination, they have the potential to achieve their goals.
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