As Lake Stevens High School Baseball season approaches, pre-season training and captain practices are key for athletes to get in shape and improve their skills.
During this time players can work out, run drills, build strength, and get into the right mindset before they jump into their season. During all of this hard work, athletes maintain academic eligibility to be able to play. The ability to balance practice with studying can be difficult and the support from coaches, families, and others can impact players’ success.
Being a senior and a team captain of a high school baseball team and learning on and off the field can be challenging.
“You have to put yourself on a schedule so you don’t fall behind and eventually you´ll find the best way that works for you,” senior captain Aspen Alexander said.
These practices are captain-led with no coaches but with access to things athletes would normally use. Team captains’ running practice can be stressful because they´re setting the tone and attitude for the entire team. Captains plan drills that will help every athlete on the team, regardless of experience or knowledge of drills. Captains also focus on supporting the team and their motivation.
Once players make the team, they will need to balance missing class due to early dismissal for games and Captain senior A’Alona DeMartin shared that it is the sixth period that they miss for away games.
“Teachers are very understanding if we need to leave early and I have never had an issue with them not giving me an extended due date on work, which is very helpful and takes away stress for the work that I need to do,” Alexander said. “Communication is also key to making sure you do not fall behind.”
DeMartin and Alexander shared their different points of view about prioritizing school and athletics.
“Baseball doesn’t get in the way of school, but school gets in the way of baseball,” DeMartin said.
Being eligible to play depends on academics.
“You must prioritize tasks and remember you are a student-athlete, not an athlete student,” Alexander said.
Team sports require teamwork, and if teammates don’t get along off the field, it will be difficult to perform well on the field.
“You can have a great athletically skilled team, but if you don’t have team chemistry, success will be limited,” Alexander said.
Furthermore, having good connections with teammates will help secure success; focusing on resolving things rather than pushing them out will also save a lot of trouble when it’s time to play.
At LSHS athlete-run practices are the best place to create a team bond because it’s just the athletes and the field.
