What could be one of the more challenging seasons in Sturgis baseball coach Matt Keim’s 13-year tenure has already featured a knuckleball from Mother Nature fairly common for this time of year in the Midwest.
Matt Keim
The Trojans’ season opener Tuesday against Edwardsburg was canceled as the remaining gray mounds of snow continue to melt and soggy fields begin to dry out. With only 11 able bodies to start the season, Keim, whose teams have won at least 20 games each of the last two seasons, is fine with the extra prep time.
“We’re going to use these inside six weeks as a plus because we’re going to get them physically in better shape than we have,” he said. This year it’s unfortunate the basketball team didn’t make it out of districts, but otherwise we would be out another week with our best players.”
Keim admits the Trojans’ rotation might be stretched a bit this season, with seniors Chance Stewart and Kris Ransberger leading the way. The Trojans have five pitchers and are developing a sixth, but having more than those two eating up innings, Keim said, will be crucial this spring.
“We’ll be able to get their arms in better shape — more in game shape,” he said. “But we play so many games, that’s why the biggest thing for us is keeping our pitchers [healthy].”
The school’s longtime head athletic trainer, Jim Lioy, explained how arm strength and conditioning has always been a high priority.
“There are some unique things that we do especially with our pitchers that people just don’t do,” he said. “We can take advantage of that time. Because when you’re outside you’re outside; there’s really not a lot of time to do the little things we’re doing to prevent a lot of the injuries. We rarely have had arm problems. I can’t remember the last time we had a major arm problem since [Keim’s] been coaching.”
Still, Keim and Co. would rather be out in the sun instead of the cage behind the gymnasium bleachers. He’s not alone.
“It does [stink],” he said. “We’ve tapered down how long we go kind of expecting to be inside until after spring break.”