While many were lounging on beaches, skiing on mountains, or sitting around their house, the Masters Varsity Baseball squad was working on their game. For the first time since COVID, the team went to Orlando, Florida, for four days over spring break, practicing twice a day and playing scrimmages against two nationally-ranked opponents, Saint Cloud High School and The Shipley School.

Second baseman Gus Creech ‘26 spoke about the advantages of the trip. “It was a great bonding trip and the team is really close now. We also got to play some really good teams and develop our skills, which, looking back now, was really important to get ready for the season.”

Head coach Chuck Gutierrez said, “The Florida trip provided some huge benefits for the team. It allowed the team to really gel together.”

The Florida trip didn’t just benefit team bonding, but also allowed the squad to build on their range of skill levels. Gutierrez said, “It was really important for us to get those extra reps in the warmer weather. A lot of the players developed their skills hugely.”

Some of the newer players on the team felt an exponential boost in their abilities after the trip. Freshman and right fielder Knox Gary said, “I got a lot better on the trip. I never played baseball as a kid, so this is my first time being on a baseball team. I got a lot of experience and in-game reps against live pitchers on the trip, which was really helpful.”

Beyond sunshine and scrimmages in Florida, the team has undergone a lot of change from last year. One big difference was the loss of senior leaders. Guiterrez said, “We lost five seniors last year and they contributed a ton to the team.”

Despite the loss of leadership, younger players have stepped up to fill those roles. Gutierrez said, “Players like Zach Gotthelf, Eli Dube, and other guys who have been here, or been around the game, have stepped up.”

These older and more experienced players have had an impact on the younger players. Gary said, “The older players have really helped to teach the younger guys about the game. I’ve learned a ton from them.”

Interestingly enough, the team does not have captains, a move which captures the spirit of leadership within the players this year. Junior Zach Gotthelf seconded this. He said, “Captains aren’t important for us. We just have leaders.”

In addition to older players stepping into bigger roles, the team has experienced an influx of new talented players ranging from two eighth graders, Hunter Smith and David Firsenbaum, to a sophomore transfer, Zach Ryan.

A majority of the team’s goals for the season revolve around playing good baseball, not winning a certain amount of games. Guiterrez said, “We are focusing on the fundamentals, and getting better at those. Fielding balls, hitting, making the right read, all those things.”

They hope to continue introducing more complex baseball skills and strategies, such as signs, base stealing and fake bunts. Guiterrez has instilled the belief in his team that with good, fundamental baseball, they can beat anyone, and he frequents the phrase, “kill them with a thousand papercuts,” representing the team’s collective and fundamental approach to success.

With these principles in mind, the team hopes that numerical success will follow shortly. The team left the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) in 2022, and has since been playing an independent schedule. Since then, they have been fighting to become more competitive, a goal which many of the players think they are heading quickly towards with Gutierrez at the helm after taking over the program in 2023. Gotthelf said, “I have seen a tremendous impact since Coach Chuck and the other coaches arrived. We’ve regained a winning mentality, and we’re working towards becoming a very competitive team. Everyone wants to win, and wants to get better. ” The end goal of their strive for success is to rejoin the FAA. Gutierrez said, “In previous years, we weren’t ready for the FAA, but now our goal is to get back in that thing and compete.” The team is well on their way to achieving their goals, dominating in their first game of the season against Rye Country Day School, winning fourteen to four. Their next game is on April 28 against the Harvey School.