Small team focusing on fundamentals

3-25 002By Jaime Thomas

Members of the Horde baseball team are going to see a lot of playing time this season.

With only 11 players, everyone will have to pull his own weight and serve in multiple capacities, Coach Duane Dodge said.

While he said quantity will be a challenging aspect to the season, Granville is not alone. Dodge said low numbers are low everywhere in the league. He explained that many baseball players are leaving the sport to try out lacrosse instead.

This year’s team is more on the young side, but there are three seniors to show the younger guys what to do.

Because of late season snow, the boys have been forced to practice indoors, so Dodge is looking forward to warmer temperatures.

“Once we get outdoors, it’ll be a learning curve. We’ve been working hard, and we can’t wait for the season and sunshine and to get outside,” he said.

He said he thinks the team’s strength will be his one and two pitchers and his defense, which are “pretty decent.”

As far as a focus, Dodge said the team is working on the fundamentals.

“See the ball, catch the ball, and throw the ball. There’s a proper way to do it, and it’s an art in baseball,” he said.

The team finished last season at 3-15 overall and 3-10 in the Wasaren League. Dodge is hoping this season will be better.

“I want to make sure the kids enjoy the season and make sure the kids make each game better than the last one,” he said. The boys’ first game will be on Monday, April 1 at 4:15 p.m. in Hudson Falls.