Lindsey Bayes ’21

Staff Writer

Bishop McNamara’s baseball season is just around the corner, and a strong team is beginning to form. The high competition level among these young athletes was set early, and is consistently rising as the February 20th tryouts approach. Varsity Head Coach, Anthony Sosnoskie has been evaluating his rosters and has high expectations for this season. Sosnoskie said, “All teams take shape during the season, but there are different layers to build on after ten months of prep. Whether it’s off-season workout plans or in season work, we are preparing. As a coach, you start to look at what we do well, what we don’t do well, and how we can improve.” From October through December, the team has been working hard on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom. The baseball program has also been involved in various community services, which include volunteering at the District Heights Fire department and participating in Wreaths Across America.

During the offseason, the baseball teams have also been working with Sean Fraser, a yoga instructor in Maryland. Fraser said, “The biggest benefit, is mental strength. When Michael Phelps is about to swim at the meet you best believe he is focused, and not distracted. This is why meditation is important. When you are able to focus all of your attention on the present game, exam, challenge, or problem you can usually figure out a solution more clearly and quickly.” First baseman of the Washington Nationals, Ryan Zimmerman has also turned to yoga. “It’s the hardest thing I do for an hour. But after I’m done, it’s definitely worth it. By the end of last offseason, I really started to notice myself getting better at it and how much better I felt in my body”, Zimmerman said in an interview with an MLB reporter. Other teams in the MLB have also been promoting yoga, such as the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs.

This season, Sosnoskie plans on carrying sixteen to eighteen players per roster, which brings up the question, “Will cuts have to be made before the start of the season?” The answer to this question has remained unclear, but at the moment, there are about thirty-five players who plan to tryout. One thing is certain and that is the competition for playing time between the returning and newer players. Coach Sosnoskie said, “There’s always competition out there everyday. If I had to write a line-up today, I don’t know what it would look like. I’m just waiting for the cream to rise to the top. Michael Scott has caught a lot of varsity games. There are also a lot of freshman who are competing to get out there and catch some as well. Miles Peterson is one who comes to mind.” Even with the competition among these athletes, Sosnoskie has said that they are a very close knit team that come to play every day.

With the season quickly approaching, the players have set their goals and are ready to leave it all on the field. First Baseman, Jared Mammano said, “Goals for myself are to play the game how it’s supposed to be played, not to let any moment get bigger than me, and to just do my job.” Catcher, Miles Peterson said, “My biggest goal is to get a batting average over .300 and a pop-time under 1.9 seconds.” Everyone on the team is able to accomplish their goals with the support of their teammates and the coaching staff, which is compiled of Anthony Sosnoskie, Andy Schindling, L.J. Hoes, Micah Headd, Mike Wright, Jordan Martinez, and Aaron Graves. The first game of the season is an away game on Saturday, March 10th at 12 p.m. against Sidwell Friends. Come out and support your Bishop McNamara baseball program.