Preparations for the spring baseball season are already underway. And winter may be on St. Louis’ doorstep, but don’t think the cold weather will keep the players from getting to the diamond for practices.
The team is looking to build on its 24-win season last spring, which was eight more wins than the 2007 season.
Newly implemented this year, the team is doing “four and ones” to prepare in the offseason. Four players work with one assistant coach for an hour at a time to iron out technique problems with hitting and pitching.
The coaches work with the players on an individual basis and break down their swing.
“Now is when all the teaching goes on,” assistant coach Danny Jackson said. “We let them play in the fall, but we use this time in the offseason to correct weaknesses.”
With Saint Louis University’s program improving, head coach Darin Hendrickson had no problem bringing in recruits.
Senior Ryan Johnson and the other Billiken returners have 21 new teammates this year.
“It’s a breath of fresh air now that the talent level and team chemistry is so much better,” Johnson said. “Everyone wants to work for the team and not for their individual goals.”
With more talent at each position, it forces all players to work harder for a starting position.
“It’s more competitive during the fall and spring to get playing time, because there are a lot more guys that are capable,” Jackson said.
More capable players translates into a deeper bench. If something were to happen to a starter, his position could be filled. Jackson said the team also has more players that can perform in multiple positions.
Junior outfielder Cody Cotter, a transfer from Iowa Western, said the most difficult thing at first was learning everyone’s name.
“During the first couple weeks everything was pretty quiet,” Cotter said. “But now we’re a big family.”
Jackson said the main goal for the spring season is, not surprisingly, to win every game. He has seen how all the new faces have competed against one another, but it will be more interesting to see how they compete against other teams.
“We have a lot of guys that buy into what we’re trying to accomplish,” Jackson said. “With the kind of recruits that we have, that’s how you get your program to go in the right direction.”
