The 2019 Skyline High School Varsity Baseball Team boast one of their more experienced squads in recent memory. With more than ten returning seniors, Skyline has a maturity advantage over their counterparts in District 8-6A baseball. They hope to use this edge to improve on a disappointing ending to last year’s season. Not only that, but opportunity knocks thanks to the departures of both Jesuit and Coppell High Schools from District 8-6A.
Those two schools dominated for years, leaving the remaining teams to battle for just two playoff spots. Now, in their absence, Skyline has the chance to really make an impact and ascend to the top of the district mountain. This has Skyline Baseball players and coaches alike, more fired up than ever. When asked how he felt about the number of seniors this year, senior pitcher and third baseman, Jonathan Gutierrez, kept it short and sweet. “We have a lot more experienced and developed players that give us an advantage over other teams,” said Gutierrez.
Head Coach Steve Robinson recognizes the benefit of having many seniors as well. “With over ten plus seniors, it gives us an advantage because the guys have had game experience,” said Coach Robinson. “They’ve had time to develop, and they’ve been in situations a number of times,” Robinson continued. As coaches, we feel like they are prepared for any situation in a ball game that they may face.
Having a high number of seniors gives the team camaraderie and the ability to come together as a unit. It makes it easier as a team because these guys know each other – they hang out off the field, and that’s good chemistry for a ballclub to have at this point in time.” Coach Robinson agreed that the new district minus Coppell and Jesuit was a plus for Skyline. He also felt Skyline had a better fighting chance this season without the presence of Coppell and Jesuit. “For us, anytime you lose teams that are in the top 25% every year in the state and at times, nationally ranked the other teams have an opportunity to move up,” said Coach Robinson. Duncanville and Molina replaced Coppell and Jesuit. Coach Robinson was careful to not discredit the incoming competition. “I’m not saying the teams replacing them, Duncanville and Molina are not good programs with well-coached players; but it’s definitely a step down in terms of the caliber of players you’re going to face,” commented Robinson.
Confidence is important to the success of any sports team. For our kid’s confidence, we feel like it’s not something we can control, but it definitely gives a slight advantage not having to face those guys twice a year. Whether it’s players or coaches, this year there is a fresh surge of confidence flowing through the Skyline baseball program; and they have their eyes set on a playoff run.
The Skyline Tribune 