As the new season approaches, Hazlehurst High School's baseball team is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and competitive season. With a talented group of returning players and some promising new additions, Coach Cyril Fisher is optimistic about the team's potential and has high hopes for their performance on the field.
When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Fisher responded, "To get the most talented group of baseball players that the school has to offer and get them to buy into my system of teamwork makes the dream work." He emphasized the importance of playing together as a team and not as individuals.
Coach Fisher also highlighted the need to eliminate negative thinking, hotdogging, and missing practices, and instead, focus on working hard and relying on each other for success. This team mentality and strong work ethic will surely play a crucial role in the team's success this season.
Coach Fisher also mentioned three seniors who he believes will make an immediate impact on the team - Jonathan Upton, Brady Hillard, and Quinton Washington. He praised their versatility in being able to play any position on the field and their ability to hit home runs at any given time. These players are expected to lead by example and set a high standard for the rest of the team.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Fisher looks for players who embody certain qualities, such as a strong work ethic, talent, and leadership skills. He mentioned two players who have stood out to him - Kindarus Pendleton, a 7th grader, and Kaylon Ervin. Pendleton, despite being new to the sport, has shown tremendous potential and has even pitched in a varsity game. Ervin, on the other hand, is a hard-working and talented player who Coach Fisher believes will achieve great things this season. He also highlighted Triston Gilmore as a potential team captain, praising his skills in playing shortstop and understanding the game.
In terms of team chemistry, Coach Fisher believes that having a player-led team is crucial. He explained, "A player-led team has all the conformity control of the players, continued times spent together and work ethic will force the team chemistry." He relies on the team spending time together and working hard to build strong camaraderie and chemistry.
When it comes to motivating his players to push themselves to their full potential, Coach Fisher believes in a balance between coach instruction and player-led initiative. He also emphasized the importance of team chemistry and how it can naturally motivate players to perform at their best.
The biggest challenge for the team this season has been the unpredictable weather, which has caused several games to be canceled or postponed. However, this has not dampened the team's spirits, and they are determined to make the most of the remaining games.
Speaking about the team's schedule, Coach Fisher stated that the district games are the toughest ones and the ones they really want to win. He also mentioned their arch-rival, Crystal Springs, as one of the most anticipated games of the season.
When asked about any changes or improvements made to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Fisher highlighted the importance of mental preparation. He stated, "I try to convince them to relax and play the game in the moment and not always think about if they are playing great, just play hard and have fun doing it." He believes that this approach will help the team to remain calm and focused during games.
This season, the team's strengths lie in their offense, with the ability to hit the ball, steal bases, and score more runs compared to previous years. However, their weaknesses have been in defense and pitching. To address these weaknesses, Coach Fisher plans on playing more games as he believes that it is a mental block that can be overcome with more game experience.
Overall, Coach Fisher's coaching philosophy revolves around teamwork, hard work, and building a strong team chemistry. He believes that this approach reflects in the team's gameplay and will ultimately lead to success on the field. With a dedicated coach and a talented group of players, the Hazlehurst High School baseball team is poised for a successful season ahead.
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