PEABODY — For Peabody native Ryan Bradley, losing his senior season on the St. John’s Prep baseball team has been frustrating to say the least, even if he understands it’s been necessary.
“At first I was pretty aggravated with it all,” Bradley said. “Then after some thought I realized everyone has to do what they can. Our first priority is to stay healthy for our families. Those are the first things on my mind.
“It’s a tough situation,” Bradley said. “You spend all this time preparing since last year and now it’s not as exciting.”
That excitement was supposed to include another run at a Division 1A “Super 8” title, but with the tournament being cancelled last week due to the coronavirus pandemic the Eagles won’t get that chance. A southpaw, Bradley had been a key piece on the mound for Eagles, who fell short of North Andover in the final of last year’s tournament.
“I mean, I don’t want to say I completely went here to be playing in the Super 8 tournament,” Bradley said. “But for a lot of guys, competing for that championship is a big part of it. The whole team wanted to get there again since last season ended.”
Fortunately, Bradley has already committed to continue his baseball career at the next level at Bryant University in Rhode Island. Having a future set with a Division 1 program is comforting for Bradley now, but it’s his teammates that won’t have that chance who he’s been thinking about.
“It definitely helps,” Bradley said. “Even if it doesn’t completely cover the fact that you’re missing out on your senior year. One thing that I can’t stop thinking about is the guys who aren’t playing next year. I know we have one senior that got cut from the team last year. He had worked hard and was excited heading into the season. He had a good chance of making the team. He made a lot of progress and it’s tough to see him not get that chance.”
With a class of 15 seniors this season, a good handful of players won’t get the chance to put the finishing touches on their Prep careers, something that also weighs on the mind of head coach Dan Letarte.
“I can’t imagine how they’re feeling,” Letarte said. “Right now we have 15 seniors. They’re all doing the things they can do right now but this is tough. It’s tough on everyone.
“But at the same time you have to spend time looking at the big picture also,” Letarte said. “Kids are learning more about life away from the game. These circumstances call for everyone to make sacrifices to stay healthy, that’s the priority.”
As for the lack of the familiar Super 8 tournament, Letarte knows it’s a blow.
Letarte also commended the St. John’s athletic department for the role they’ve played in staying in touch with athletes and coaches throughout the pandemic.
“Our athletic department and athletic director Jameson Pelkey have been awesome,” Letarte said. “Sending out information and workouts, some things for the kids to do, they’ve been really great. I’m really happy with the role they’ve played.”
For Bradley, all he can do now is continue getting his arm ready however he can.
“I’ve been trying to get out throwing as much as possible,” Bradley said. “Obviously you don’t want to be around too many people right now but it doesn’t hurt to get a body, get down to the local high school field if nobody is around and throw. Just staying in shape and staying hopeful.”
