Since this time last year, the Gustavus Baseball program has gone through some major changes. Multiple new coaches, including a new head coach, Brad Baker ‘80. With these changes comes a hope to build the Gustavus Baseball team into a successful and competitive program.
“I feel blessed to be back on campus and hopefully the guys are as excited about the experience as I am. I am really looking forward to working with guys to see if we could start to build a successful baseball program,” Head Coach Baker said. Baker is also very excited about the coaches around him. “Maybe the biggest blessing of all is having my brother Jeff (Baker), Dean Bowyer, Bob Bresnahan, Matt Lewis, and Phil Klaphake as coaches. Not only do they have incredible baseball knowledge but they’re all here for the right reasons, their passion for the game and more importantly, they’re real caring about the guys,” The players are equally excited about the new coaching staff and the upcoming season.
“The new coaching staff has been great. The adjustment to new coaches was not very difficult. That is due in large part to the fact that the coaches came in and immediately set the tone by running through their expectations for us, as well as all the team rules right from the start. These coaches really stress having fun, playing the game the correct way, and competing. I believe the new coaching staff has a lot of passion for this game and a lot of love for the players,” Junior Connor Kern said.
Do not mistake the excitement for a lack of appreciation for the former coaching staff though.
“We all appreciate the work that Coach (Mike) Carroll put in with his tenure with the Gustavus baseball program. However, he was presented with another opportunity which allowed the school to go out and find another coach. The biggest differences from last year to this year is probably the culture around the team. A new coach adds excitement to an already exciting time of the year for us baseball guys,” Kern said.
The attitude throughout the team this season is a want to compete. Knowing that going undefeated is most likely out of the question, improving and competing in every inning of every game is a large goal of the team.
“Obviously, we want to win every game, but that is not always going to happen. So for us this year, we really want to play at a high level, continue to improve, and compete. I am really excited to see how we grow as a team this season,” Kern said.
Junior Josh Chatfield’s goals and expectations mirrored those of Kern’s.
“As a team, we’re going to compete every inning of every game, play the game the right way, and focus on fundamentals. If we do those things, we will be successful this year. We’re looking to bounce back from a disappointing season last year and make a new name for ourselves in the MIAC,” Chatfield said.
With the season quickly approaching, a lot of preparation has been put in by the baseball team in order for these goals to be fulfilled. The team’s preseason and offseason training has gone quite well thus far.
“Preseason has been great. The kids’ work ethic, attitudes, and actual skill level continue to impress us coaches,” Coach Baker said.
The players feel the training is going well, too.
“Everyone on the team has been working hard and putting in the time to be successful. Guys are showing up to practice early and staying late to work out and get extra reps. The team is excited and everyone has been filled with positivity at practice,” Chatfield said.
The season kicks off on March 19, when the team travels to South Dakota to take on Mount Marty in a season opening double header. Right before Spring Break, the team travels down south to Arizona for the Tucson Invitational. The home opener for the Gusties is after Spring Break concludes, when Martin Luther College comes to campus on April 4 for a double header.