For some athletes the season never ends. This holds true for seniors JD Urso, Matthew Coker and Gabe Rincones, as their summer was spent on the field with their baseball travel team Canes 2019 Prime. 

“Summer ball is meant for player development rather than straight up trying to win every game,” Urso said. “We share playing time a lot because the goal is to get everyone to play at the next level.” 

These students are now able to tell friends and family they won their state championship after putting in hours of training on their own time each week. 

“It was both exciting and humbling to win such a big championship, especially since I haven’t won since I was 12,” Urso said. 

However, having only these three players on Plant’s baseball team join the travel team could make one wonder the personal benefits beyond the season itself and why they joined. 

“I decided to play summer ball because baseball has always been in my life and I love the sport and it began the week we got out of school,” Coker said. 

Technical skills, such as how to pitch against big pull hitters and keeping batters off balance, are further enhanced during summer ball to prepare athletes for the high school baseball season. While some focused on pitching, others enhanced their skills at home plate by using wooden bats instead of aluminum. 

“With multiple games in one day, the heat really affects your energy and it’s tough to stay hydrated,” Urso said. “We also have to rotate players more often.” 

Although summer ball isn’t a requirement for those wanting to play in college or make the high school team, there are a few key traits Coker recommends coming to tryouts with. 

“[The best mentality is] to come out with a mindset that you will make the team and to give everything you have out on the field,” Coker said. 

With summer over, these student athletes can look towards baseball season in the spring. 

“I feel a greater confidence in my game,” Rincones said. “It has put a lot in perspective for me about myself and what’s expected of me this upcoming season.”