With new head coach Trice Powers in place, WCHS Pioneer baseball tryouts began Tuesday and a two-day process will culminate Wednesday in a completed roster for the 2018 Pioneer ball team.
Tryouts had 43 students vying for positions on the varsity and junior varsity teams.
“We’re making cuts both days,” Powers said. “And we will have a completed roster Wednesday afternoon.”
According to Powers, one of the main things he likes to look for during tryouts are hustle and effort.
“Of course we’re looking for skills, but we can teach skills,” said Powers. “It’s hard to teach hustle and effort.”
Having the right mindset is step one in the search for a team roster. Powers says some of the first skills he plans on developing would be throwing and catching, two fundamentals that avoid errors on the field and can make the difference between an out and a base runner.
Shortstop is one position the Pioneers are going to require a reassignment or new player to fill as the position was filled by Taisei Yasunaga who exceled at the spot this year.
Catcher, third base, second base, and centerfield are among the positions filled by graduating seniors where other players will need to step in next year.