en a school team graduates a majority of its starters from the year before, it is safe to assume that it will have what is known as a “rebuilding season,” when the team takes a break from winning in order to put together a successful formula for future seasons.
But, if you ask any members of the Staples baseball team, even though they have lost eight of their nine starters from last year, they see this situation differently.
They are reloading.
“We don’t think about any year as a rebuilding year,” Head Coach Jack McFarland said. “To me, the term ‘rebuilding’ reflects that you have something that wasn’t built correctly.”
McFarland is convinced that he has a team that is built to last. While most of the starters have graduated, the team’s eight new starters had been playing behind those starters last season. The team is constantly preparing players to take the place of starters, and with 45 freshmen trying out for the team this year, it will not run out of potential talent anytime soon.
“These players were modeled in a way that they are going to be ready to step in, and they understand the level they have to play at,” McFarland said.
These players have to take the place of some exceptional graduates. For example, Ben Greenberg ’12, a co-captain this year, will be playing second base in place of Mikey Scott ’11, an all-state selection. While many may see this as a daunting task, McFarland just sees déjà vu.
“Scott couldn’t get onto the field until his senior year, because Jack Hennessey ’10 was the all-state second baseman,” McFarland said.
Greenberg believes that the mentorship of Scott will help make him a great player. “In practices, he would constantly be giving me pointers on everything from my throwing motion to double-play footwork,” Greenberg said.
McFarland’s players seem to agree with his reaction to this year’s roster.
“We have a lot of good players who have been waiting their turn and will play just as well as anybody last year,” said Jimmy Kopack ’12, co-captain and starting pitcher.
As co-captain, it’s Kopack’s job to rally the team together, but he also has the responsibility of leading the team’s pitchers and taking over for Rob Gau ’11, a dominanting force on the mound.
Based on Kopack’s 7-1 win-loss record last season, McFarland has few doubts about Kopack’s capabilities.
“Right off the bat we are going have the number one pitcher in the league,” McFarland said.
Even though this team has little starting experience, this has not affected the expectations most of the players have for this season.
“We will take on the cocky teams and drag them to the ground, because we are still that same intimidating Staples baseball program we always were,” Nick Kiedasich ’12, starting outfielder, said.
Bryan Terzian ’13, the only returning starter from last year, is just as confident.
“I believe we have the potential to become just as good if not better than last year’s team,” Terzian said.
Last year’s team brought home the third FCIAC championship this team has won in the past four years.
McFarland believes that with a lot of hard work during the regular season, the team could see similar success.
“We know we can’t get into the FCIAC championships without getting into the playoffs,” McFarland said. “It’s going to be crucial that we get off to a good start.”
Some players are a little more confident.
“I have a swagged–out FICAC ring from last year,” Nick Kiedaisch said. “I plan to get another one.”
