The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Core group to lead young team
The opening weeks of the Crested Butte Blue Jackets baseball team’s pre-season this year had coach Dave McGuire a bit concerned, as only eight players showed up. Since then, the team has filled out to a roster of 14 players.
“Some players started rolling in and the team’s improved and the quality of players looks pretty darn good,” says McGuire.
In addition, making the jump from Little League to Babe Ruth baseball is always a bit of an eye-opener for young ball players.
Gone are the days of 60-foot base paths and bloop singles to shallow left at Pitsker Field. Once kids reach Babe Ruth age (ages 13-14) they are met with 90-foot base paths and what was once a bloop single is now a pop out to the shortstop.
As a result, coaches look to the second-year players to help usher in the new game to the first-year players. Fortunately, coaches McGuire and Michael Blunck have seven 14-year-olds and are calling upon Nolan Blunck, Ben Reaman, Colin Dill, Troy Pike, David Bright, Ian Kelly and Ryan Costello to help initiate the rookie players to Babe Ruth baseball.
“I really like the way the older kids have stepped up as leaders of the team,” says Blunck.
While this is McGuire’s fifth year coaching the Babe Ruth team, it’s the first year for Blunck, a self-described baseball fanatic, coaching at the Babe Ruth level.
“I have a passion for baseball that most people think is crazy,” says Blunck.
Blunck grew up playing baseball, learning the game and gaining the passion for the sport from coaches dedicated to baseball. He is hoping to share that passion with the team, starting with the basics, i.e. conditioning.
“We’re getting all the kids’ legs in shape,” says Blunck. “Legs mean a lot more to a throwing arm than one would think.”
With Blunck working on mechanics, McGuire can dig into the players’ psyches.
“I work on players’ minds and what motivates them,” says McGuire. “It makes for a good coaching combo.”
The Blue Jackets have five pitchers in their current rotation but hope to build on that, as the younger players get up to speed. As far as the offense is concerned, Blunck sees some potential.
“We do have some hitters on the team,” says Blunck.
“That’s my next big drive, motivating the hitters,” adds McGuire.
For Blunck, the goals for the season are pretty simple.
“The team goal is to have fun and become better ball players,” says Blunck.
Blunck admits that without any scrimmages it’s hard to see where the team stands once the game is on.
“We’re sort of waiting for our first game to see what we have out there,” says Blunck.
Unfortunately, with the work on the Crested Butte Community School expansion starting this summer, the Blue Jackets are without a home field and must play all of their home games down in Gunnison.
“I recommend people do some late afternoon grocery shopping and come by the ball park,” says Blunck. “These kids are worth watching.”
“It’s a pretty exciting team,” says McGuire.
The schedule is currently under review by coaches around the league but the season is slated to open next week and should appear in the Sports Barrel next week. The playoffs start in July.
