As the sun begins to shine and the snow melts away, the anticipation for another exciting baseball season at Sun Prairie West High School is building. With a strong team and dedicated coaching staff, the team is ready to compete and make their mark on the field. We sat down with Coach Aaron Buss to get a preview of what to expect from the team this year.
When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Buss wasted no time in highlighting the team's strengths. "We have a solid defense and senior leadership," he said. "These are the keys to our success and what we plan to build on this year." The seniors on the team, Emerson Adamowski, Cole Updike, Caden Cook, Tyler Haney, and Will Jensen, have all shown strong leadership skills and have high expectations for themselves and the team.
But it's not just the returning players that Coach Buss is excited about. He also mentioned the new players who he believes will make an immediate impact on the team. Casey Wambach, Easton Davenport, Sean Bleyer, and Gavyn Lynch all caught his eye during tryouts. "What makes them special is their leadership and willingness to put the team first," Coach Buss explained. With both experienced and new players, the team has a good balance of talent and leadership.
When it comes to selecting team captains, Coach Buss looks for players who not only lead by example but also push others to be great. This year, Easton Davenport, Sean Bleyer, and Casey Wambach have been named captains, while the other seniors continue to battle for that role. "Having strong leaders on the team is crucial for building team chemistry and camaraderie," Coach Buss stated.
And speaking of team chemistry, Coach Buss has a plan in place to foster it this season. "We have several, non-baseball events where the players have to work together in order to succeed," he shared. By participating in activities outside of baseball, players can bond and get to know each other better, leading to a stronger team dynamic on the field.
But it's not just about teamwork and camaraderie, Coach Buss is also focused on motivating his players to push themselves to their full potential. "We have high expectations for our players, and because of that, they have high expectations for themselves and the team," he said. By setting expectations and providing support and guidance, Coach Buss hopes to see his players reach their full potential on the field.
However, preparing for this season has not been without its challenges. "The biggest challenge has been keeping the seniors focused on baseball, as they have other athletic opportunities in other sports," Coach Buss shared. With multi-sport athletes, it can be difficult to balance and prioritize sports, but Coach Buss trusts that his seniors will remain dedicated to the team and the sport.
Looking at the team's schedule for the season, it's clear that they will face some tough opponents. "Our first month of the schedule is a beast," Coach Buss said. "We play the preseason favorite first conference series, our cross-town rivals who were state runner-up last year, and finish the month with Verona and Janesville Craig, both excellent teams in their own right." Despite these challenges, the team is excited to face these opponents and showcase their skills on the field.
As for Coach Buss' coaching style, he believes it is always evolving with the changing times and athletes. "This year will be slightly different from last," he shared. "We talk about the 'why' just as much as we talk about execution." By explaining the reasoning behind strategies and plays, Coach Buss hopes to improve not only the team's gameplay but also their understanding of the game.
A major aspect that Coach Buss focuses on is the mental aspect of the game. "Baseball is a game of failure, and learning from those mistakes to make you a better player is crucial," he explained. By addressing the mental side of the game and helping players overcome challenges and failures, Coach Buss hopes to see a stronger and more resilient team.
In terms of training and conditioning, Coach Buss has made some changes and improvements to the team's program this year. "During the off-season, we are doing a shoulder routine called 'Do a Better Throwers ten,' created with Dr. James Andrew," he shared. This routine focuses on strengthening the shoulder and reducing injuries. The team is also incorporating a med ball workout to simulate the movement of hips in baseball, in addition to their regular strength workouts.
When asked about the team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Buss emphasized the seniors' knowledge and experience as their main strengths. "Our strength is in our seniors, and their knowledge of how we want to get things done," he said. As for weaknesses, Coach Buss believes they have room for improvement in staying focused on baseball and overcoming distractions.
Overall, Coach Buss' coaching philosophy is centered on teaching and guiding his players to be the best they can be. "I plan on taking advantage of teachable moments, on and off the field," he shared. By instilling a strong work ethic and a focus on teamwork and mental toughness, Coach Buss hopes to lead the team to success this season.
With a strong team dynamic, a dedicated coaching staff, and a focus on continuous improvement, the Sun Prairie West High School baseball team is ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming season. As they step onto the field, they will compete with determination and a drive to succeed, making their mark in the school's history and the hearts of their fans.
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