Turning Things Around
New baseball coaching staff has high hopes
By ANDERSON JOHNSON/Editor
Feb. 28, 2008
After serving as assistant baseball coach, Shane Keeton has stepped into the head coaching position and is said to be filling the shoes and even needs a bigger size.
“Baseball is the main reason why I got into coaching,” Keeton said. “It's what I love to do.”
Coach Keeton realized that coaching baseball was what he wanted to do when he coached is younger brother, Eric. The varsity baseball players said they are glad he made this decision.
“I feel like we're going to get pretty far this year,” pitcher Dustin Eskew said. “We actually have really good coaches who know the sport better than we do.”
Although Coach Keeton is a major asset to the team, the athletes say the coaching staff as a whole will help them get somewhere this year.
“I look up to Coach Keeton because he's a hoss,” catcher Cody Johnson said. “But I also admire Coach Jason Cummings because he knows so much about baseball.”
The coaching staff is working together to help the team win.
“Pitching is a strength of the team, but so is our new coaching staff,” Coach Kevin Pitts said. “Coach Keeton lets all of us do our job and that really helps.
Coach Cummings is in charge of catchers and infielders, Coach Pitts is in charge of outfielders, and Coach Keeton takes care of the pitchers.
“We all learn from each other,” Keeton said. “That's why God gave us two ears and one mouth.”
While most of the players look up to the coaches, second baseman Chad Richardson said he looks up to someone else.
“I really look up to Dustin,” Richardson said. “I hope my calves are as big as his one day.”
Another thing that keeps the players strong is their love of the game.
“I can't pick out one thing I love about baseball,” pitcher Kyle Stelma said. “I love everything about it.”
Coaches and players expressed high hopes for the season and the program.
“I think we have a chance to turn things around,” Pitts said. “We can get China Spring baseball back to how it used to be.”