Blake Baseball Team Members Buy Into Program
By Nick Clark
Sun Newspapers
(Created 4/14/2005 9:03:09 AM)
|
It took 25 years, but Blake School baseball coach Steve Johnson finally has a new job title.
He did not have to trade in his uniform for the preferred suit and tie to fit the look, but the Bears leader went from coach to salesman this spring. And it has seemed to work.
“It is a little different around here so far,” said Johnson, who will reach the quarter decade mark with Blake this season. “We have had to get the guys to buy into what we want to do.”
Fortunately for Johnson and the rest of his staff, the team was not that tough of a sell. Behind the contrasting styles of senior captains Paul Beck and John Wessbecker, Blake is not only on the same page, but the Bears are even reading the same paragraph.
“It is a situation where we have been forced into rooting for your buddies if you want to win,” Johnson said. “Beck and Wessbecker have been perfect examples of that. Beck is constantly talking up his main competition, which is Erik Fiegel at shortstop. That is the kind of thing that is invaluable for the kids. Wessbecker has been out in the field running outfield drills at times so the coaches can work with other kids.”
Johnson hopes the examples his captains are setting have an impact on the rest of his team.
Reprinted with permission Sun Newspapers
|
|
