While the snow continued to fall outside, the varsity gym was filled with the sounds of baseballs being hit and caught last week as the Cook County High School boys began preparing for the 2013 baseball season.
Two seniors, Colin Everson and Kale Boomer, will be counted on heavily, said Head Coach Arleigh Jorgenson, but he added that talented juniors Joe Borud, Charlie Lawler, Jacob Schroeder, and Thomas Anderson as well as sophomores Richie Furlong, Frankie Miller, and a great group of ninth graders including Rory Bakke, Leo Johnson, Andrew Lashinski, and Owen Anderson will all be expected to contribute.
“I don’t know if we will be able to practice outdoors before our first game on April 9 at McGregor,” said Coach Jorgenson.
Jorgenson said, “I like what I’ve seen so far. These kids want to be good. They’reintelligent, they’re fun and they are having fun.”
The ace of the pitching staff should be Kale Boomer. Other pitchers include Colin Everson, Jacob Schroeder, Joe Borud, Rory Bakke and possibly Leo Johnson and Andrew Lashinski, said Jorgenson.
While nothing is set in stone, when they aren’t pitching Boomer will line up at shortstop, Everson at second base, or Thomas Anderson will play shortstop and Kale and Colin will shift around in the infield.
“Our biggest question mark is catcher,” Jorgenson said. “We’re still looking for a catcher. It could be Richie Furlong. It probably will be Richie. Colin can catch. It’s still open, though, and someone else might fill that position.”
Outfielders will be Joe Borud, Charlie Lawler, and Owen Anderson, with several of the younger players expected to fill in as needed.
When it comes to positions, Jorgenson said, “Each player will be expected to play two positions. If one of their bats gets hot we will need them to step in and play good defense.”
Many of the kids played summer ball, and Jorgenson said it was rewarding. “We learned tons,” said one of the younger kids gathered around him during the interview.
“While we are working hard, I try to get across that baseball is a mental game. You need to think. Bring some energy and have a good attitude. And have fun. The kids need to enjoy playing and learning the game,” Jorgenson said.
“I hope more seventh- and eighthgrade boys join the team. We need them to come out and gain the skills necessary to play at the varsity level,” said Jorgenson.
Todd Toulouse and Dave Furcht are assistant coaches this spring, and Jorgenson said both of them bring a lot of knowledge, energy and positive attitudes to the team.
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