When the Arizona Inter-scholastic Association postponed and eventually canceled the spring sports season, one of the teams that felt it the hardest was Sedona Red Rock High School’s baseball team. The Scorpions were 3-0 and appeared on their way to a positive season.
That was the bad news. The good news for Sedona’s baseball team is that most of the players will return next season. So, while no more baseball will be played this year, what they’re doing now to stay in shape remains important. With no baseball to be played and normal methods of practice like games of catch and batting practice off of the table, what are the baseball players doing?
Juniors like Nate Ross and Jaiah Grondin said that they’re continuing to do workouts that are both a part of and separate from activities in their physical education class.
“We can’t really get together with anyone,” Grondin said. “But I’m staying at home, staying in shape, working out and running. I can’t go play catch or shoot hoops with the other guys. But we’re trying to keep our bodies and minds healthy with workouts and runs — trying to stay physically active without being with people.”
“The gyms are closed so we’re not really getting to use the weight room,” Ross added. “My PE teacher [Bob Young] has been posting workouts online on Google Classroom, lists of exercises.
“We’re not going to build or lose weight. But I’ve been staying up with that. I think I am going to stay with that until the gyms open. My friends in that class are going to do the same.”
Another baseball player doing those activities is Matt Capozzi. Capozzi, a fast runner, noted that he’s running in attempts to build up his stamina so that he can more effectively run longer distances.
Capozzi is practicing his swings and catches as well — just not with any teammates or friends. He goes to the old baseball field at Big Park School two or three times a week. The Scorpions catcher works on his throws by throwing balls into the backstop. Capozzi also brings his tee and a bat with him and hits balls into the cage.
“Anyone can go there,” Capozzi said. “We obviously stay quarantined but I’ll throw and hit. I’m basically treating this like any offseason. I have to do as much as I can to get back to work as soon as possible.”
Throughout the shutdown period, we will continue to post stories about what athletes in different sports are doing to stay in shape. If you’re an athlete in a school sport, club sport or even just enjoy the occasional recreational pick-up game or round of golf, please let us know what you’re doing to keep your game as sharp as possible.
