Titan baseball adapts to change

Dylan Duque-Lopez, Staff Writer

Seniors on the Northview baseball team play their last game not knowing that it would be their last.

Photos by Alex Perry, Managing Editor

What was looking to be a promising year for the Northview varsity baseball team was cut short, as over 16 region games were cancelled given the recent coronavirus outbreak and other disruptive events. 

This unfortunate situation began with heavy rain that essentially flooded almost every baseball field in the immediate area, causing the team to look for turf fields as an alternative. While it seemed that the season was having enough troubles, the COVID-19 virus presented more problems. Sports seasons, school, and field trips were all canceled, leaving students and coaches with broken hearts and spirits. Before the season even began, it was over, and the seniors were especially hurt since it was the last chance they would have to play with their team. Most of the seniors were on the team since they were freshmen, eager to move their way up the ladder. Most of them had similar things to say about the season or their lack thereof.   

“All the seniors collectively felt a great deal of pain when we heard the season was being cut off as it was our last time getting to all play on the same team together. We are all still clinging on to the hope that the season gets put back on but for now, we are all just sad that we can’t play,” senior and infielder Sam Ryan said.

Though unlikely, there is still hope left within the team that the season pick up and the seniors will have a chance to showcase their four years of hard work. These years contained countless practices, team meetings, and afternoons in the batting cages that have seemingly disappeared into thin air. Luckily, Northview’s baseball team is comprised of optimistic players that choose to look past the unfortunate events and focus on what they experienced as a team. The players clearly feel that the important part of the season was not just the couple of games they played every week, but the memories they shared as a team. 

“The whole situation with the season being cut short and not having that final game with your friends and teammates or having that last practice or even laugh and smile together has been tough,” infielder and pitcher Parker Poteet said.

There is not much that the team can do from here except to reflect upon past seasons that they shared together and what their futures might look like. The team and coaches mentioned that it was set to be a promising season for the Titans. 

“We have a great team. I think we were one of the top teams in our region and I know our coaches would agree. Unfortunately, our season has been cut short which is devastating to all of us, but we had a special group of guys,” catcher and outfielder Michael Izzi said.

In the end, although the season did not go as expected, the boys are keeping in good spirits. The team is thankful for the time they had together, and are excited to see what the future of the Northview baseball program looks like.