By John Miller (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Improvement can’t always be seen in wins and losses. For the Springfield Central Bulldogs this spring, that will need to be a theme.
“Our success is not determined by wins and losses,” noted coach Jerrod White. “We have some unusual obstacles to overcome at Central, and we’re up for the task. We want to learn the game and the lessons it teaches us. Our biggest goal is to come together as a team and support the other through any circumstances. We want to finish the race as strong as we can.”
The ultimate goal is to win games – that’s why they are played in the first place. However, it’s much more important to perfect the fundamentals of the game. To overcome situations and adversity that reveal themselves. By doing these things consistently, the wins will eventually come. It’s also necessary to learn life lessons from the sport itself. The Bulldogs will hope to take these things away from competition this spring.
Last year, the Bulldogs finished with a 2-16 record. They went 1-8 in conference play. A first-round district loss to Raymore Peculiar ended their year.
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Gone from last year is Sol Rainey, one of the better players the Central baseball program has produced in recent years. Rainey is now attending college at Highland Community College.
“Sol played centerfield, shortstop, and pitched for us,” White said. “He’s the hardest worker we had. He showed up every day ready to play. We’ll miss his energy, leadership, and talent.”
With Rainey gone, the Bulldogs will look to its returners to lead the team – both on the field and off it. Among the returners is Hunter Harrell, a senior and four-year starter. He’ll be one of the team’s top pitchers and play first base.
“We’ll lean on him heavily to eat up innings,” White said.
Central also returns senior catcher Jerry Gaylor, and juniors Jake McNellis, Andrew Murry, and Theo Hosmer.
“Jerry has great energy and a blue-collar mentality,” White said. “He just won a district championship as a wrestler. Jake played everywhere for us last year. This year, he’ll likely be our shortstop. Andrew will be depended on to produce runs. He’ll play first base. Theo will also play infield and will depended on to play strong defense and make contact at the plate.”
Two years ago, Central finished with six wins – tied for the most Central has had in any season over the last decade. The Bulldogs have to deal with obstacles that most programs in southwest Missouri don’t face. For one, Central hasn’t had its own baseball stadium in recent history. The program used to call Nichols Park home before recently moving into Meador Park on Springfield’s south-side. However, Springfield Public Schools voted for and approved the construction of a baseball and softball field for the Central baseball and softball teams. The new facility will be located off East Pythian Street and will include field turf. Most importantly, for Central, it will contain the Bulldogs logo and give players and coaches alike a home stadium.
“We’re looking forward to opening our nearly two-million-dollar brand new turf facility,” White said.
