Boys Varsity Baseball Faces Struggles

Four+freshmen+are+starters+for+the+Varsity+Baseball+team.+They+are+%28from+left+to+right%29+second+baseman+and+short+stop+Aaron+Parker%2C+catcher+Jaycen+Lipsey%2C+pitcher+Matt+Osborne+and+short+stop+%2F+left+fielder+John+Darby.++%0A

Faith Westley

Four freshmen are starters for the Varsity Baseball team. They are (from left to right) second baseman and short stop Aaron Parker, catcher Jaycen Lipsey, pitcher Matt Osborne and short stop / left fielder John Darby.

The Boys Varsity Baseball team has been dealing with a rough year despite a remodeled baseball field and new team uniforms.
For the second year in a row, they lost their coach. Steven Sharp retired from coaching baseball at the end of last year and Coach Andrew Green resigned in mid-season this year due to other responsibilities.
The team now rests in the hands of social studies teacher Jamie Glinz, who was once the pitcher for the team when he was a student at Southfield High 15 years ago.
Glinz has been putting up a fight to get the team headed in the right direction.
“Our goal every time we step on the field is to get better,” said Coach Glinz.
At press time, the team’s record was 4-7 in league play. With only five games left and the playoffs on the horizon, the team has to do a complete 360 if they want to get past the first playoff round.
Senior Brandon Greer had a lot to voice when bringing up why the team is struggling. He said the players are not hitting well, and they are playing as individuals, not a team. “We can’t understand the concept of team ball,” Greer said.
The veteran team member said he is frustrated in the team actions, stressing “there are no individuals on a winning team.”
The team is slated to play Pershing High School in the first round with a lot of work needed to get past this team.
One bright spot on the season is the addition of four freshman starters (see cover photo). Glinz said, “As freshmen, there are going to be some ups and down, but they have been consistent and great contributors to the team.”
Despite new talent, the field is looking better than the team record. New red dirt was added to the field before the season began.