Don’t expect to see the ball leaving the yard as often this season as it has in year’s past.
The national switch to BBCOR bat regulations has officially arrived, which means the OPRF baseball team and all other high school squads in Illinois are required to use a bat that has been described as half a step up from a wood bat and about three steps down from the bats players were using last year.
“Everyone is going to see a lot of small ball and a lot of situational hitting,” said OPRF head coach Chris Ledbetter. “We will bunt more this year than we have in my 11 years as head coach, and I think it’s a good thing.”
In order to prepare for the switch, the Huskies used wood bats predominately over the summer. In spite of the change in equipment, scattering hits for returning starting seniors Jack Picchiotti and Zack Weigel shouldn’t be a problem. Both batted above .500 last season. Weigel, who has signed with Seton Hall, even went 29-straight games with a hit. The lefty is also expected to be one of Ledbetter’s aces on the mound this season.
But it seems lately that when Ledbetter has an idea about who will fill the pitching slots in his starting rotation and who will be assigned to relief duty, he hears that familiar and attention-grabbing pop in the catcher’s mitt.
“The minute I think I have it all figured out, I turn around and see someone else pitching and everything changes,” he says. “I’m not complaining. It’s a good problem to have.”
Joe McKune, Max Guzetta (lefthander), Colin O’Brien, Mike Brennan, Weigel, Nick Kowalczyk, and juniors Sam Munno (lefthander), Jack Badger and Henry Cappel are all expected to see time on the mound.
“We need to find out who works better out of the bullpen and who works better in a starting role,” said Ledbetter. “Not to mention, who can work out of the stretch better than others.”
With Picchiotti solidified at catcher and Weigel in centerfield when he’s not pitching, there are several open slots players are competing for. Mike Adams (third base), Jack Belcaster (second base), Dan Shinsako (short stop), Charlie Fencik (short stop), Sam Cottingham-Beard (right fielder) and Alex Rice (designated hitter) are vying for starting positions.
A trip to Florida for a tournament isn’t in the cards this season, but the Huskies will compete in the First Annual Steven M. Bajenski Memorial Baseball Tournament in May. The tournament is in honor of Mt. Carmel baseball player Steve Bajenski, who died in 2009 of a heart ailment.
“It’s a privilege to be invited to compete in this tournament,” said Ledbetter. “We’re looking forward to playing some very good teams and helping a good cause.”
All proceeds from the tournament will benefit a variety of charities.
The Huskies begin the season on March 21 at Glenbrook South. They start West Suburban (Silver) Conference play with a home opener against Glenbard West on April 3 (4:30 p.m.).