PEABODY — Plenty of high schoolers and coaches around the country are watching their baseball season slip away as coronavirus measures sideline their teams. The unfamiliar grounds are obviously no different at Bishop Fenwick and for baseball coach Russ Steeves.
But for Steeves the message goes a lot further than baseball.
“We’re certainly in uncharted territory and in uncharted waters so it calls for a different approach,” Steeves said. “What I try to tell the guys is people are fighting for their lives and people are fighting to put food on the table without work right now. It’s good for the seniors and our players to put that into perspective and see that it could be worse. I tell them to spend time with their families, brothers, sisters, FaceTime their grandparents and enjoy the time you have with them.”
That’s something everyone is certainly trying to do right now as they adapt to an unfamiliar world. From the baseball side of things Steeves and his players have had to change their normal approach to the preseason as well.
“I send (players) a morning video or clip. It’s just things they can do in the house without breaking windows. Things they can work on in home or a yard to stay in shape.
“I’m right in the thick of it too,” Steeves said. “My son is a Senior at St. John’s Prep. We’re going through it, he’s trying to decide on colleges and he hasn’t been to some of them. I would say the seniors have to have one of the toughest ends of this right now.”
Fenwick senior Jake Miano agrees with that. Miano was coming off an impressive junior year on the mound and helped the Crusaders make one of their best state tournament runs, falling just a pair of games short of a Division 3 state championship. This year Miano was set to be one of two Fenwick senior captains and more than anything he just misses the chance to spend time with his teammates.
“I’ve honestly been bummed out missing out on the season but we’re all trying to keep our hopes up,” Miano said. “I miss spending time with my friends. I’m just hoping that when this ends there will be time for some games left. I know I have four years left because I’m playing in college but still this is one of the most important years of my life.”
Miano will continue his baseball, and possibly his football career, at Nichols College in Dudley. While his entire sports career isn’t in jeopardy the most important thing about high school sports for him is.
“That’s my favorite part about sports, is being with the team,” Miano said. “I love being around my friends more than anything. Every day and every game spent around them is great.”
The Crusaders have had to try their best to stay in shape while hoping they’ll be able to take the field together again this spring. Miano has made the most of the opportunities he can get.
“I have a gym in my basement and I’m still able to go to pitching lessons with my pitching coach from time to time,” Miano said. “Other than that I’ve just been doing a lot of band workouts.”
If Fenwick and other teams around the state do take the field things will be a lot different but Steeves and his crew are just looking to make the most of it.
“I told them we’re probably looking at no MIAA state tournament,” Steeves said. “I’ve talked to athletic director Dave Woods and we’re looking strongly at any way to still keep things competitive. That could mean double headers on Saturday or Sunday, small tournaments with teams in our league. There may not be a state tournament but we’re looking to make the most of what we can.”
