Baseball and Softball Bond Through Training
High school sports across the nation have been experiencing difficulty, whether sports were rescheduled to a different season or just delayed within the season, including baseball and softball at HUHS.
Of the spring sports, baseball and softball have been pushed back to start in late April while in past years, tryouts were held during spring break.
In response to baseball and softball being pushed back, workout days and open gyms were scheduled for the teams. These scheduled days began in mid January and are to end in mid April.
Due to this increase in preparation time, the baseball and softball teams were given 15 total contact days. This gives both teams more opportunities to be coached and become a stronger team.
Although the seasons start later this year and that is seen as a negative, the softball head coach Dave Hoxworth and baseball head coach David Eagan see right to the positive aspects it brings.
Eagan and Hoxworth both believe one of the best benefits is to come out of this involves the weather.
“The biggest benefit to starting the baseball season late is the weather,” Eagan said. “[The baseball team] won’t have to worry so much about injuries to their arms in cold weather.”
Not only does the warmer weather contribute to injury prevention, but it also makes it easier to play softball and baseball. In seasons past, poor weather like snow or the cold causes practices to be held in the field house instead of the fields.
With the late start, baseball and softball do not have to worry about the poor weather. It also gives them the opportunity to focus more on training in their open gyms and workout days.
Hoxworth is eager to get the softball team in the new HUHS Weight room. He knows getting the team faster and stronger is going to be a great help to making them stronger.
“[The Weight room] gives [the softball team] the opportunity to improve their skills and prepare for the upcoming season,” Hoxworth said. “We are fortunate to have access to such a state-of-the-art facility.”
The open gyms and workout days, however, do not just act as training time. They also act as a time for team bonding.
Senior George Henkel is excited to be getting training before the season starts and help out the younger players too.
“[Open gym] is a great chance to show your work ethic and what you are willing to do to help the team,” Henkel said. “You get to learn about your teammates more and who they are off of the field.”
Henkel is thankful to have gotten a season, and been given the opportunity to not only get physically stronger but to strengthen the team bond as well.
“The best part is getting to bond with the new players, and also having more time to practice and get better before the season starts,” Henkel said. “All these players are really dedicated and love this sport.”
