As the winter sports season comes to an end, the spring sports are kicking into gear. Park’s baseball team has begun their preparation for the upcoming season with starting captains practices on Feb. 5th.
Due to Minnesota state high school rules, no coaches are allowed to coach during the winter, so the practices are entirely player-led. According to the team’s supervisor, math teacher Chad Austad, he has many ties to the team.
“I’ve done this for the last three or four years. I also used to coach,” Austad said. “I actually used to coach head coach Brian Kelly a long time ago.”
Baseball is known to be an intensive sport on the player’s throwing arms, especially when going from not throwing at all to throwing five plus times a week. According to captain Alexander Hokensen, captains practices are a perfect time to prevent arm strain.
“Players who can’t get out during the off season would definitely benefit from captains,” Hokensen said. “It helps to warm up your arms and overall prepare for the season.”
Senior Aaron Bilden said the team’s practices are mainly structured on individual needs. He said this helps players feel more prepared.
“It’s very individual based,” Bilden said. “We are working on all our skills — hitting, throwing, just generally what each player needs.”
Austad said it can be a struggle to restart baseball after months away from the field, so captains practices help players feel confident for tryouts in the spring.
“If you come on day one, it’s really tough to just be ready all of a sudden,” Austad said. “I think it’s nice to get about six weeks of throwing and some hitting in before baseball season starts.”
According to Bilden, as the season approaches, the team will begin other preparations.
“Outside of the gym, we should be preparing in other ways,” Bilden said. “Eat well, sleep well, just really keep your mind focused for the season.”
The team is also beginning to reshape bonds they shared over previous seasons. Hokenson said the team will work on communication prior to tryouts.
“We just are getting started talking outside of practice,” Hokenson said. “Just really about what we are working on, making sure everyones on the same page.
The Minnesota State High School League spring season officially starts on Mar 13.
