The Keene State College baseball team just returned from a trip to Florida, where we played 11 games in 10 days to start off the season.
This spring training trip allowed our team to get outside and actually play games without cold weather affecting our play.
These games count toward our team record, but they also help us prepare for the upcoming season and work out any problems or “kinks” we may have.
Along with this, it provides the coaching staff with opportunities to see how players perform on the diamond.
Up until this trip, our team had been stuck inside, so this outdoor experience was important for when we came back to New England. Even though it may take awhile for games to start in the LEC Conference and the New England, it is important to get games in whenever possible.
Personally, this was my first time joining the baseball team on this trip.
I enjoyed this trip thoroughly because it made the transition from basketball much easier and allowed me to work out problems I had been having on the mound — mainly pitching mechanics.
I think it is beneficial for the team to go down to a warmer climate and actually play games without having to worry about games getting canceled. It is helpful for all schools that choose to go to Florida.
Not only was this time important for skill development, but it also helped strengthen team chemistry. At the resort, there were multiple pools, a basketball court, hot tubs and volleyball.
COntributed photo / Jeff Lunn
For team bonding, we had a team cookout one night where we enjoyed great food, games and pool time.
This night brought the team together as a whole and greatly strengthened what was already a close group of players.
Other nights, players would get together in groups and go play basketball or relax by the pool.
Another advantage of going to Florida for spring break is that it gives these student athletes time to forget about the stresses of school and be, in a sense, professional athletes.
The reason for this is because they are just around to play the sport they love. Besides not being paid, these athletes turn into professional athletes when school is removed.
The KSC Owls ended the trip with a six wins to five losses record, where we played a number of teams like the College of New Jersey and Colby Sawyer College.
We started off on the wrong foot with a loss in the front half of a doubleheader to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, but found our form in the second game of the doubleheader.
The rest of the trip came with wins against Western New England University, Colby-Sawyer, Lesley College and Keuka College. Along with those, we suffered losses to Western New England, William Patterson, Clarkson and the College of New Jersey.
Now that the team is back in New Hampshire, we were scheduled to have three games this week, but the game against Fitchburg State on Monday, March 22, was postponed due to field conditions. However, there will be a game today Thursday, March 26, at Babson College at 3:30 p.m.
Jeff Lunn can be contacted at jlunn@kscequinox.com
