BASEBALL!
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Pictured is senior Joel Hayden driving a liner to right against Dobson on Friday/Becky Levy photo
Seniors Aim To Extend Chaparral Tradition
As always, this time of year is one of great excitement for the Chaparral baseball community. Baseball is back, Firebird style. And that means good times, excitement, fabulous weather, green grass manicured to perfection and winning. Lots of winning - although last year not as much as has become the custom at Arizona's baseball cathedral on the corner of Gold Dust and 70th Street. The Chaparral Firebirds begin their 37th season next week on a quest for nothing less than a ninth state championship and in continuing pursuit of 800 victories in school annals. It won't be easy, especially coming off a 19-13 season and a tough semifinal loss to Cactus in the state playoffs. Moreover, Chaparral has increased its enrollment and is now competing at the 5A, Division II level, up from 4A, Division I.
For Chaparral's 10 seniors, it is a challenge they have been working toward since they were eight and nine years old and playing mostly in the North Scottsdale and McCormick Ranch Little Leagues, beating up on each other come All-Star time and then teaming up to beat most of the other teams in the state in their age group.
All that was just for fun. Now it is real. Four of them have baseball homes for next year - Konner Wade and Nate Sherman at the University of Arizona, James McDonald at Arizona State University and Will Abram at Paradise Valley Community College. The others undoubtedly all will have college opportunities before the summer is over. But that is for later. To them, nothing is more important than what take place on the baseball field over the next 13 weeks. When you combine their collective drive and talent with the impressive capabilities of the nine underclassmen - especially junior Joey Bielek, a returning starter, and Nick Diamond, a startlingly talented left-handed pitching sophomore, then chances look promising. Eight returning players started games in the field for Chaparral last season, six of them on a regular basis.
Predictably, but with the wisdom accumulated through his years as the only head coach Chaparral has ever had, Jerry Dawson is not so sure. He sees questions marks everywhere, two key injuries with potentially crippling repercussions and the toughest region of any in the state, regardless of classification. "Time will tell," says Dawson, with appropriate simplicity.
But it is early and promise is in the air and there is no one who is not thrilled to be playing again after a November and December away from baseball but with lots of conditioning and a January filled with individual workouts and a collective rededication to excellence. Goals - and hopes - are high.
Out of the gate, a priority is a return to full health by senior Aaron Levy, one of Chaparral's very best hitters, and junior Jordan Hein, a speedster who can hit with authority, cause disruption on the bases and track down a lot of balls in the outfield. Levy is recovering from an off-season knee injury and Hein working to strengthen his left (throwing) arm after he hurt it in football. These are not injuries that instill optimism in Dawson.
"We need them both," the coach says, "and I just don't know when they will be ready to give us all they've got." Those injuries made always difficult roster selections even harder.
And then there are Horizon, Desert Mountain and Pinnacle. All three schools are Arizona powerhouses with clear and present state championship aspirations. And all are in the Desert Valley Region along with Chaparral and 5A, Division I contenders St. Mary's and North Canyon. It is possible for all four to qualify for the state playoffs, but unlikely.
"It could be a tough road ahead," says Dawson. The formula to advance is complicated, but it essentially comes down to power points. The best way to accumulate power points is to win. But not all games are created equal and not all games count in power points.
Chaparral must be ready. The first tests come quickly in the Scottsdale Quarterback Club Tournament against Mesa at home on Wednesday, Sunrise Mountain away on Thursday and Gilbert Highland at home on Friday. Later, will come games against traditional powers Brophy, Hamilton and defending 5A, Division II state champion Desert Ridge (now in 5A, I), among others. "Moving up in classification is not a problem," says Dawson. "We have always tried to play the best teams in the state. What is the question is how this group will respond."
Friday, in a 12-6 scrimmage victory against Dobson, the signs were strong. Wade and Diamond were outstanding on the mound. Senior Preston Hill, who had a breakout junior year, also was good. Timely hitting came from seniors Blake Spiekerman and Joel Hayden and junior Colby Targun.
But that was just dress rehearsal. Soon it will be for real, and the players and coaches can hardly wait.
Varsity Roster
Will Abram, Will Dyer, Joel Hayden, Preston Hill, Aaron Levy, James McDonald, Chris Pleiter, Nathan Sherman, Blake Spiekerman, Konner Wade, Joey Bielek, Chad Driscoll, Jordan Hein, Harry Kaye, Peter Lenstrohm, A.J. Schillinger, Colby Targun, Kyle Toth, Nick Diamond.
Junior Varsity Roster
Nick DeRegis, Adam King, Chance Adams, Tyler Amato, Eric Brossart, Zach Carabello, Adam Charmin-Aker, Chris Deak, Aaron Goodman, Jake Hirshman, Jamie McFarland, Luke Niccoli, Jonny Salzetti, Austin Singer, Ryan Singer, Jonathon Stachel, Will Strauss, Kevin Toth, Jeremy Wolf, Alec Ziedler.
Freshman Roster
Dillon Bigcrane, Phil Bondank, Zac Chaves, Jordan Claypool, Michael Diamond, Kyle Heath, Harrison Holland, Zach Kirshner, Devin Kolesar, Austin Love, Matt McKelvey, Troy Nelson, Dane Raber, Brad Schencker, Matt Soden, Chris Wall, Alex, Ziomek
www.chaparralfirebirds.com/pdf/2010_state_of_ program_022610.pdf