With cold weather taking over northeast Ohio, one Revere team hit the road for a series of games in the warmth of South Carolina against schools from around the country. As they enjoyed a trip to play the game they love, they use the time together to bond and form a strong culture for the season.
The Revere Minutemen baseball team traveled to Myrtle Beach from March 26th-30th to play four games in order to prepare for league play.
Coach Stephen Wido said the team executed well during their time in Myrtle Beach.
“Team did great… Varsity went 3-1, the only loss we had was to a state-ranked team and a division one pitcher on their end. That was a close game,” he said.
The team did this in spite of long travel, which each player was individually responsible for.
“The kids are responsible for getting themselves down there, and then we rent out a condo about five minutes away from the facility,” Wido said.
Wido said the baseball team started doing a spring trip in 2016, the first one being to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Due to weather and field conditions, the team decided to start going to Myrtle Beach in 2018.
The team began the annual four day trip to prepare for Suburban League opponents.
“We know that the second week of the season is the first week of the Suburban League. So, if you can go play four real games before starting that, it’s a leg up against those who don’t,” Wido said.
According to Wido, one of the differences between playing in state and the spring trip is the time between games and prep time.
“You don’t have the same warmup time. Here you have a full hour on your own field, there it’s more of a ‘show and go.’ You might get twenty minutes then you have to play ball,” he said.
Senior Aaron French said prep for games is different.
“I’ve just gotta be more cautious with my arm. Like not back picking in certain spots. And for our pitchers you’re never playing four games in two days,” he said.
Despite the extra stress on prep and recovery French enjoyed the trip, including a favorite game against Licking Valley.
“The amount of energy that came out and set the tone for our season was nice. Didn’t fall our way in the end, but we know we are gonna fight to the end and it prepared us for big stage games later in the season,” he said.
French said the energy from Myrtle has rolled over and had the Minutemen starting off hot with two wins against Aurora.
“It definitely rolled over. Our guys were picking each other up and engaging. Everyone has a role and took it with pride,” he said.
Senior Geoffrey Siess also said the team has played well to start the year.
“Going to Myrtle at the start of the season is huge… we’re all rolling. We all feel positive about ourselves,” he said.
The team culture has developed further this season, which Siess said he’s watched since his freshman year.
“As a guy who’s been at the Varsity level, I definitely feel like this is the closest the team has been… It feels like this year is special,” he said.
The culture does not just come from returning starters, as Siess said this season has been a step up in team morale.
“Everybody has bought in and wants to be a part of the team no matter what kind of role they have,” Siess said.
The team is looking to keep pushing forward and Siess said they have what it takes to continue improving.
“It’s gonna be a special team. I think we are going to go far and do something special for the school and the program,” he said.
