Baseball’s home opener was supposed to begin Friday April 14, but it was moved to Centennial due to poor weather. 

Junior Graham Sullivan said it’s a struggle to prepare in the bad weather.

“It’s obviously a struggle. We work with what we have playing indoors because it was freezing up until this week, so as an outfielder, personally it’s hard to get reps, but we make the best of what we can, ” Sullivan said. “Everyone has the same playing field in Minnesota, so no one’s getting any outdoor reps. We tried to get some in early, we’re working in the parking lot to get going.”

Sophomore Malik Martin said baseball has only had one practice on the real field to prepare which created difficulties leading into the season.

“We got to use the football field while it was still snowing, but as it got nicer more recently, we got to hit at Cal yesterday, which was good to practice on the field for the first time,” Martin said. “It’s really interrupted us, getting snow in the middle of spring, it also cancels our games which kind of sucks.”

Sophomore Ryan Moran said not being able to use a baseball field due to weather has been affecting the team.

“It’s tough to get ready for the season because we can’t be outside, and that’s how baseball should be played,” Moran said. “It’s tough to play on the hard gym floor. Catching the ball in the air isn’t the same, getting a grounded ball isn’t the same. It’s just a different impact.” 

Sullivan said they are trying to focus on team chemistry at the moment.

“We’ve had a bunch of gym time so far and it’s a new culture this year, a lot of new teammates, so it’s important to get some time and just work with the team, ” Sullivan said. “Obviously conditions aren’t great and working in a gym is not preferable, but it’s more important to just play as a team and get to know each other a little better.” 

Moran said the fields will have an impact on how the team starts the season.

“The dark and gloomy gym hasn’t prepared us for the sun or the heat, but once we get in a groove, we can turn up and still make a great season and hopefully make a run for state,” Moran said.

According to Sullivan, everyone on the team is prepared for the upcoming season.

“We’re going to get a little smoother as the season goes on because we’re going to have more reps outdoors, I also think we’re pretty well prepared because we’ve been practicing as long as the state’s allowed us,” Sullivan said. “All the guys train in the offseason, so I’m feeling confident about tomorrow and no one is able to play outside so you just have to be prepared, more prepared than other teams.”

Park’s next game is 6:30 April 18 at Osseo high school.