The Atoms Varsity baseball team is preparing for their first set of games now that tryouts have ended. With only three short weeks to prepare for their first game of the season, the team has lined up two scrimmages which will allow them to experiment with their new group of players. To prepare for their games, Senior Zack Plank said, “We have been going over our defense and we also will do live scrimmages to prepare,”

The Atoms had 25 students try out for the team this season, bringing positive energy and high potential for the upcoming season. 

Last year the team placed sixth in the district, and they hope to improve their standing for this season. 

Sophomore Cole Cardwell said, “Our team’s goal this year is to play our hardest and try to win a district championship,”

With a new year comes new talent, and the program is able to see growth and incorporate a new set of skills as they’re joined by the freshmen. Team functionality often changes when new players are added, and sometimes it’s a struggle to adjust to a different roster. 

“Our team chemistry is as strong as ever, the freshmen are catching on quick and learning how to effectively be a part of the team,” Said Cardwell.

The team has high hopes for this season and looks forward to achieving their goal, which might be possible as Cardwell said, “I am seeing major improvement from everybody on the team, we are throwing harder, hitting harder and running faster,”

A combination of improvements from returning players, – and their ability to assist the freshmen as they set out to fit into the team – combined with a change in coaching staff, alludes to a very promising season for the Baseball team. 

For seven years the Annandale Varsity Baseball program was headed up by Coach Christopher Baggot, who has also, as of this year, taken on the role of head football coach. This year sees a coaching switch between Baggot and his assistant coach of last year, Kevin Rudd. 

Having a new head coach can be challenging for all players. The familiarity of Rudd previously being an assistant coach will help to mitigate the change and lessen the effects of the switch on the players. “Coach Baggot was a great head coach, however coach Rudd is also a great coach and I think that we will see changes in the style of our game and how we practice, and I think those changes will be for the better,” Said Cardwell. 

Plank said, “Although Baggot will still be at practices, I think things will be slightly different, especially since coach Rudd can be more vocal and pushes us harder at times,” 

The Baseball team will undoubtedly experience many changes this season. With new players and a change in head coach, it can be expected that these changes will carry over into the chemistry and capabilities of the team. The success of the team relies on the players’ abilities to continue to improve despite these changes and grow with each practice and scrimmage, which they have the potential to do. 

You can support the Atoms Baseball team at their first scrimmage of the 2024 season, which will be on February 29th at Osbourn High School.

If you want to follow along with the Atoms this season, you can follow them on Instagram @atomsbaseball