On the dawn of March 20, a dugout full of teenage boys will arrive in the Sunshine State after a 19-hour car ride for their spring break. The trip will sport three official games including one against a 2010 state champion from Chicago, four team practices, a MLB spring training face-off between the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, and a visit to the Navy Seals Museum and live Manatee viewing. Ken Shaw, head coach, will be taking his first swing at directing a spring break trip with his team for its own version of spring training. Port St. Lucie, Fla., will be their field of dreams for the next five days.
When Shaw, science teacher, became head coach in 2005, he was left with the responsibility of filling the cleats of former Head Coach Tom Dix. Dix’s policy as head coach for the spring trip was simple: if you do not make the trip, you will not make the team. Shaw decided to take a different approach to the 2011 team trip.
“I’m not going to tell you that you can’t be on the team if you don’t go on the Florida trip,” Shaw said. “But what it does mean is that the next kid on the depth chart who did go is now ahead of you for that position.”
The usual spring break schedule for the baseball team has consisted of practices that were intended to be on the KHS field but usually ended up in the Denver Miller Gym due to weather issues. Muddy grass, wet sand and other unsafe conditions made it difficult to play outdoors during break. By traveling to Florida, Shaw hopes to avoid this weather while also enjoying the vacation.
“This is a great opportunity for a very talented group of guys,” Shaw said. “They’ll play against teams they’d never play in Missouri, and they’ll enjoy weather that we haven’t had.”
Every player who makes this year’s team will travel, but what makes this trip a grand slam is the fact parents are also taking advantage of this opportunity. KHS is not providing the funding for this trip, and therefore most of the expenses, excluding baseball-related materials, rely on individual families. Due to this, entire families, not just players and coaches, will be rounding the bases to Florida.
“In prior years, families were not keen on [the trip],” Shaw said. “Now parents want to go because they want to enjoy their spring breaks also.”
Andy Robbins, senior, is one of the many players whose family will be enjoying its spring break in Florida. Robbins has been playing on the varsity team since he was a sophomore, and agrees with Shaw that the trip will better the team.
“I think it’s a great experience to play against some really good competition and just come together with the guys,” Robbins said. “Hopefully, it will lead to a successful season with all the talent and experience we have.”
Griffin Goodrich, junior, agrees it will not only be a great experience for his team, but will also be an enjoyable and relaxing get-away for his mother.
“My mom loves the idea of this trip,” Goodrich said. “She loves to watch us play against better competition from different areas around the country and will use this opportunity as a way to get away from the cold, mucky Missouri and relax in the warm, sunny side of Florida.”
With a line-up of returning players including Wil Axmacher, Zach Boswell, Scott Mackenzie, Robbins, Matt Swofford and Eric Worley, seniors, and Ryan Bearden, Goodrich, James Glunt and Connor Jacobs, juniors, this year’s team will already have continuity. Shaw has high hopes and incredible confidence in the 18 varsity players.
“Baseball players want to be baseball players. They want their spot, and they love playing,” Shaw said. “We have guys this year that are selfless, who want it for the team, guys who will lay down a bunt when there’s a man on third with one out in the ninth [inning] and a tie game instead of swinging for the fences. There’s a huge difference between selfish and selfless.”
