Strike! The Bear River Baseball team starts their season strong amid COVID-19 precautions.
Baseball coach Russell Brackett expressed gratitude for the ability to have a season this year despite the difficulties of COVID-19 and his appreciation for his role as coach.
“My favorite thing about teaching baseball is watching individuals become a team and learn to care and fight for each other,” said Brackett. “That moment when things click as a team and rhythm sets in is very special to watch.”
Senior Zach Williams explained his feelings on the season affected by COVID-19 protocols.
“It’s definitely out of the normal, but I’m just very grateful we get the opportunity to be out there,” Williams said. “We don’t play many teams from our league, and we have to mask up when in the dugout.
Williams also conveyed his liking of the new baseball coach, Russell Bracket.
“Coach Russ is great,” he said. “He really makes an impact on the importance of mental baseball, and I believe will bring a lot of new hope for Bear River Baseball.”
Junior Christian Kohlbeck added on to the compliments of Coach Russell.
“I love the new coach,” he said. “He’s a great guy and he’s more of a coach; It’s like he is one of my teammates. He really knows what he is talking about and I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Kohlbeck described the difficulties he has experienced with wearing a mask but nonetheless is very grateful for the continuation of baseball.
“Practice is still a lot of fun and practice hasn’t slowed down,” said Kohlbeck. “I’m loving it and the masks aren’t that bad; They only get in the way when I try to put my helmet on, but overall practice is great.
Kohlbeck went on to explain the COVID-19 protocols the baseball team has been required to take.
“We can still do a lot but we aren’t allowed to share equipment,” he said. “As of right now, when we are out in the field and spaced out we can have our masks off, but when in the dugout we have to have them on.”
Senior Colby Lunsford expressed his agreement with Kohlbeck of the annoyance of mask wearing. He also mentioned the inability to play certain teams due to COVID-19 changing the season slightly.
“Practice is going well with COVID protocols; The only thing that is kind of annoying is wearing a mask,” said Lunsford. “We can’t play a couple teams in our league this year so there will be no playoffs but other than that we can do pretty much anything we normally do.”
Brackett added his hopes for a great season this year.
“Hearing the crack of the bat or the sound of the glove popping provides an instant moment of gratification that is even more special since last season was lost,” he said.
