WOODBURY — As basketball moves into the postseason, baseball and softball players start to itch to get back on the field.
Unlike other sports, the state and the CIAC allow pitchers and catchers to get a week’s head start over their teammates.
“It takes several weeks for pitchers to get their arms in a game-ready condition,” says Nonnewaug baseball assistant coach Kyle Brennan. “[The rule is] designed to help them condition and avoid injuries later in the season.”
The practices happen a week leading up to the preseason and tryouts. While there are many rules attached to the special week, including a limitation on the number of athletes who can throw, players and coaches find it very valuable.
“The practices are a good way not only to get the pitchers in shape but also to help build chemistry with their catchers,” says Brennan. “They are really for everybody to start getting into shape. We have a good amount of athletes that play a sport in the winter season, but some don’t, and many of them don’t come in ready to play baseball, so it’s helpful to have this time before the season.”
Like Brennan, sophomore catcher Nick Leddy feels that these practices are valuable to get players ready for the season.
“These practices help a lot,” says Leddy, “especially in preseason, because they help get the pitchers ready for scrimmages and the actual season.”
Like Leddy, sophomore catcher Tyler DiElsi feels that the conditioning week gets the players in game-ready form.
“They’re valuable because they get us ready for the season,” says DiElsi, “and help get our arms ready for game time.
While these practices are very helpful to the players, they come with a handful of rules regarding the others there.
“Those who are pitching and catching are the only ones allowed to throw. and that’s the only baseball activity that we are allowed to do at that week’s practice,” says Brennan. “There’s no hitting and no fielding allowed – just strictly pitching and catching for pitchers and catchers only. The rest of the athletes can’t do any baseball stuff, we can do specific exercises that are helpful to baseball players but we can use any baseball equipment aside from those who are pitching.”
The team is limited to only having 14 players who can throw. Some days are dedicated to strictly pitching and catching, while others are more conditioning-based.
“They will do various arm conditioning and start to throw a bullpen, which is simulated pitching, and just kinda build up their strength and stamina,” Brennan said. “The rest of the week is also dedicated to strength and conditioning, so the players who are not able to throw or catch can participate in conditioning workouts.”
After last year’s successful season, winning a Berkshire League title and the 2023 Class M state championship title, the team lost a total of 10 players, including eight starters from the state final.
This amount of loss has opened many positions for underclassmen to fit into this season.
“There are a lot of opportunities for younger players to step up and earn playing time,” Brennan said. “We are very excited to see who embraces the challenge and steps up and earns that playing time.”
Many players have high expectations for the team this season, consisting of winning the BL again.
“I expect to be the best team in the BL,” Leddy said, “and just work as a team and be really good this season.”
