March 18, 2010 — Baseball season in the Bluegrass kicks off next week and the Vikings of Rowan County are ready for their baptism by fire. They closed out last season at 18-17, and this year’s schedule is just as tough. KHSAA regulations allow each team to play 36 regular-season games and Rowan County has 42 on its list.
The Vikings will face Trinity, Franklin County, and Eastern, who are all in the top five of the pre-season polls, as well as local rivals like East Carter, Fleming County, Johnson Central and Paintsville.
“The teams that are competing at Applebee’s park get their games in,” Coach Tim Baldwin said. “The more at bats and the more experience we get our kids, the better off we are going to be when the post season comes.”
So Rowan’s guys are preparing for the post season with another grueling line up of opponents.
“Last year I thought our schedule was tough,” Baldwin said. “I went into it this year knowing we had lost five starting seniors and that I should take it a little easier on the schedule, but I didn’t. To get better, you have to face tougher opponents.”
Parent volunteers have been working with the team since September. Coach Baldwin took over Feb. 15, but the weather has allowed the Vikings to hit the field just five times for practice before their first pre-season scrimmage Wednesday night. The Vikings played host to Johnson Central, Baldwin’s almamater and a team he expects to see as a contender for the state championship.
“We held our own and in a lot of ways,” Baldwin said. “I felt like there were some things that we did just as good or better than what they were doing, but it is early. Coach Hall’s team is going to be there in the end.”
The two team faced off in the pre-season last year, Rowan was unable to score and only managed two hits. If this year’s match up foreshadows the 2010 season, the Viks are looking pretty good.
“Offense was a pleasant surprise,” Baldwin said. “We got 10 hits, six of which were doubles. I think our hitting and our pitching are ahead of our defense. If we make the routine plays, our pitching and our bats will give us the chance to win all of our games. It comes down to defense. If you don’t have it, you can’t win championships.”
Rowan has four returning players and a lot of new faces on the field. Baldwin is especially happy about one addition to the coaching staff.
“We have been blessed that Drew Hall has joined our staff to work with our pitchers,” Baldwin said. “He is a former first-round draft pick pitcher with the Chicago Cubs. He has been working with them hard and they have developed well.”
As important as the physicality is, baseball is also a head game.
“For our inspiration, I am drawing on my faith,” Baldwin said. “Proverbs 23:7 says ‘for as he thinks within himself, so he is.’ If this team thinks they are winners, they’ll be winners. They may take some licks, but in the end they will be better people, better players, and we will be a better team.”
The Vikings play host to Montgomery County for their season opener on Monday. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
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