BonnerSprings.com

Rainy weather delayed Bonner Springs’ baseball season-opener by a week, but that hasn’t taken any of the spring out of the Braves’ step.

They’ve coped with the loss of game and practice time with a positive attitude, knowing full well that their opponents face the same challenges.

“Everybody else is under the same circumstances as us,” Braves senior captain Ryan Morris said. “Nobody has a magic field that isn’t wet. When it comes down to it, it’s just baseball. We have all played before. We just have to hit the ball, catch it and throw it.”

Still, not every team has dealt with the same circumstances. The Braves are trying to replace six seniors lost to graduation. In addition, coach Rick Moulin stepped down after moving into an administrative role at the school.

The transition has been smooth, however. First-year coach Barry Richards has been an assistant with the program for the past few seasons.

As far as how the Braves will look on the field, it’s anybody’s guess.

“We want to play old-school baseball and play with passion. Those are the two big things I believe in,” Richards said.

Junior Dalton Vitt joins Morris as a team captain and will play a big role in the upper half of the lineup. He also joins Morris as one of the top two pitchers in the rotation.

Vitt is a third-year letterman and has proven to be a dominant pitcher at times.

“I feel like I really picked up some (skills on the mound) from my fall league, so I feel like I have grown as a pitcher,” Vitt said. “I feel like it is important to throw a first-pitch strike to get ahead in the count, and work off that from there. I feel like I can let some guys get themselves out instead of feeling like I have to strike everybody out.”

Morris pitched some as a sophomore but not at all his junior year due to a shoulder injury. With those issues behind, Richards expects big things from Morris.

“I’m going to have to be a more vocal leader this year. I usually lead by example, but this year I will have to really be there for the guys,” Morris said. “I’m just ready to go no matter when. I’m going to throw strikes and let my (defense) make the plays behind me.”

Vitt will likely bat second in the order and Morris third. Both players will set the table for Brian Callahan in the cleanup spot, who they hope can show some of the power he displayed a season ago on his way to earning a spot on the All-Kaw Valley League first team.

The team has worked hard to spruce up what is sometimes seen as the forgotten end of the Bonner Springs campus. The players and coaches have painted the dugouts orange and have worked on the field to get it in playing shape — a field that has always drained poorly.

“We are trying to beautify the place a little bit, get some pride back into the program,” Richards said. “But, when it comes to crossing that line, what are we going to do to get the pride back attitude-wise? And what can we do to put (our program) back on the map? That is the question.”

Over the past couple of seasons the Braves have hurt themselves far too many times in close games with mental mistakes and inability to do the little things consistently. A missed cutoff man, an overthrown base, a failure to move runners or to get a bunt down have all added up to more losses than wins, but Richards hopes that snake doesn’t bite his team again this year.

“Mistakes happen,” Richards said. “We have worked hard on fundamentals, but if you make a mistake you have to come back and make the next (play).”

Richards said he expects his team to compete.

“Our goal from every year forward is to win the state championship, make noise and be a respected competitor,” Richards said. “I really don’t care who we are playing, I just want to be playing good ball. When it comes time for state I want to be a force to be reckoned with.

“We have a core group of kids that love the game. If we work together as a team, do the little things well, anything is possible.”

Comments