Do you ever wonder how a sports team trains before a season starts? In many sports, it is the mental, physical, and spiritual training they focus on, which is exactly what they do in baseball. They focus on team building and consistency.
On multiple days a week for a while now, the baseball team has trained in the weight room after school and sometimes practiced out in the baseball field.
The head coach, Keith Halverson, has been coaching at the high school level since 2013 and is really dedicated to making sure everyone’s putting in all the effort.
“We really just preach being on time, [and] that effort, that motivation,” said Halverson.
One of the players on the team who really sticks to that mentality is Richard Martinez.
“I plan to bring [not only] a winning mentality but also a growth mentality[;] To not only perform good but [to] learn and grow from my mistakes because I know [they’re] bound to happen,” said sophomore Richard Martinez.
In the 2024-2025 season, South’s baseball team had an overall record of 16-17, with a conference record of 8-7. However, this season is important according to the players because of the team chemistry.
“I think this year’s team has a lot of team chemistry, and even our head coach said we have a lot more team chemistry than previous years at Plainfield South,” said Martinez.
This season is all about the team as a whole, and the mindset players bring with them on the field, according to Halverson.
“We get [the] guys to hype each other up, and that’s our big thing, having the guys provide leadership for each other to get them through those competition drills and whatnot,” said Mr. Halverson.
Another player who plans to grow personally and with the team is Andrew Orozco.
“[I plan] to do my best and bring a positive attitude to my team and the game,” said sophomore Andrew Orozco. According to Orozco, his main goal this year is to “be consistent in practice as the season comes about.” He’s really excited to see what he and his team will bring to the table.
This upcoming baseball season will be full of powerful teammates helping each other through every moment and growing personally while doing it.
“I’m looking forward to just continuing to build the leadership and culture of this team. With us being so young, we have a lot of guys who are hungry [and] really have a drive to be good, and as coaches, we’re trying to [build] team unity [and being] strong [together],” said Halverson.
