Jackson baseball prepares for new season
MASSILLON, Ohio — On a warm, late afternoon in mid-January, some of the Jackson High School baseball team was coming off the artificial turf, taking advantage of a rare day to get some work in outdoors and enjoy the sounds of baseball. Soon, the cold, gray winter days will lead to warm, sunny spring days. Preparation for this season for the reigning co-Federal League Champions is underway. An experienced team, who have played together since youth baseball, returns for head coach Bill Gamble. The team features experienced pitchers and catchers as well as a fine-tuned outfield.
This year’s team:
Coach Gamble said the team returns 18 players from last year’s team. The veteran pitching staff features athletes who pitched 75% of the innings last year, which accounted for 17 of the 21 victories a year ago. The returning pitchers include senior, two-year letter winner, Jake Sweetnich (5-1); sophomore, two-year letter winner, Landon Thiel (5-0); senior, three-year letter winner, Carson Pastorius (3-1); and junior, two-year letter winner, Landon Doll (2-0). “We have experienced pitching,” said Gamble, who knows this is a key to having a successful season.
“We return three catchers. It is a feather in our caps to have two-year letter winner, junior catcher Layne Keller, who also plays first base, and three-year letter winner, senior, catcher Kyle Carey.”
The purple and white also return experience hitting. The team features senior, outfielder, Kyle Mottice, who signed a letter of intent to play at Bowling Green State University, is a First-team All-Federal League and Second team All NEO District, whose batting average a year ago was .363, with 15 stolen bases and 16 RBI’s. Fellow senior, outfielder, Eric Freetag is a two-time Second-team All-Federal League player, who batted .347 with 20 RBI’s.
Other experienced hitters include senior, two-year letter winner, Kyle Benson, who signed with Walsh University, batted .297 last year, with 16 stolen bases and .417RiSP (runs in scoring position). Other contributors will be senior, second baseman, Jaden Metcalf, and senior, three-year letter winner, Carson Pastorius, who plays third base, first base and right-handed pitcher.
The concern for any coach at the outset of the season and during the season is staying healthy.
“We need to stay healthy for as long as we can,” said Gamble. “Especially in regard to the weather. Longevity in regard to health and safety of the players to play in a competitive atmosphere.”
Jackson has a few advantages to prepare for the season that few other Federal League teams can enjoy. The Polar Bears have a beautiful indoor facility, next to their field, which has an artificial turf infield. This facility is an asset for players to get work in before the official first day of practice as well as helps the youth program.
“If we can catch a window for nice weather, we can go outside and get some work in on the field for 20 or 30 minutes,” said Gamble. “This allows us to hit fly balls and help the outfielders work on distance. When we hit grounders, players can work on angles.”
Coach Gamble outlined the keys for a successful season:
Fielding – Our defense compliments our pitching. The pitch count matters early in the season, so it is important for our defense to get us off the field. The deeper we go into the game, the more hand-in-hand pitching the defense becomes to get us off the field.
Limit pitcher’s innings early in year – Jackson tries to limit the pitcher’s innings early in the spring, so they have more to give later in the season. We taper earlier and build up to the pitch count and recover time. We use precaution of the pitching arm muscle.
Tournament better set – The super districts allow more flexibility for seeding but at the same time, we do have as much information on the teams. The tournament draw can be an unknown factor. But with league play most likely over now, it is easier to keep a rhythm to tournament play.
Looking at key players for a successful season:
Similar to most high school teams, the team may hinge on the success of a core group of players with a great surrounding cast. In high school baseball, pitching often dictates the success of a team, along with a good catcher. Doll, who is taller than the average pitcher, believes part of his success is due that he can throw at different angles, which messes with the batter’s eyes.
“My best pitch is the curve ball,” said Doll. “It dives into the right-handed hitters. I live on the outside corners but love to come inside with off speed stuff.” When he is not on the mound, Doll plays first base. “It is easier for a leftie to play first base. Righties have a little trouble because of what hand the glove is in.”
Doll credits catcher Carey with his success. “Kyle is amazing and really good behind the plate,” said Doll. “He just does a great job. I feel confident I can strike out guys with him behind the plate. If a throw goes wild, I know he will get it. If I am off for a couple of batters, he will come out, tell me a joke, which helps me take a deep breath and relax.”
The outfield duo of Freetag and Mottice have been friends since youth baseball. They have a great understanding of playing beside each other in the outfield.
Freetag, who plays outfield, discussed judging a ball hit to him. “To a catch a ball, you have to be able to see how the wind is taking the ball, if it is tailing and judge the ball. If I drop it, it is extra bases.” Mottice, who plays centerfield, said, “the outfield is a nice line of defense, and his teammates rely on him to catch every ball.”
As the centerfielder, Mottice often communicates with both Freetag and the left fielder to help each know where the ball may be going. In springtime, the sun is often setting in the late innings. Freetag said using your glove to block the sun and communication is the key to making plays.
“I trust Carter. We trust each other, which makes it easier.” Mottice added, “The strengths of right field and left field is knowing what you are getting into. I cover center field and both gaps. Our communication helps to know where each other are.” Both Mottice and Freetage are spark plugs for the offense. “I bat in the 3,4 or 5 spot,” said Freetage. “I don’t walk a lot. I jump on the first few pitches. I get a lot of RBIs. I get good quality at-bats.”
Mottice on the other hand is a leadoff hitter. “I always know the situation and how to hit the ball,” said Mottice. “I am a trend setter. I lead off, waiting for my pitch. I usually start the inning off looking for a fastball. My job is to get on base.”
Carey explains how he became a catcher. “Honestly, my youth team did not have a catcher, so I volunteered. I liked it. You are in on every play. I have adapted to the position. I really like it.”
Part of Carey’s responsibilities is communicating the pitch the coaches call from the dugout. But, if the pitcher shakes off the pitch, then I have to make a decision to come up with a pitch. Part of working with our pitching staff is knowing who you are working with on the mound. “Baseball is a mental game. So, if a pitcher is struggling, when I go to the mound, I try to be lighthearted and tell a joke. When I pitched, before I caught, I had a coach where he came out and asked where my happy place was. It helped. So, I will tell joke. It usually helps the pitcher refocus.”
Carey discussed his relationship with the umpire. “I have a great relationship with all of the umpires,” said Carey. “I introduce myself. In a Federal League game, I know all of the umpires. If I think they missed a call, I will let them know. And sometimes, it will work vice versa.” Carey summed up the feeling around the Jackson baseball team. “This is a great group of guys. We spend time together off the field. It is fun to be part of this group. It was great last year, and it will be better this year.”
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