Laughter fills the air as the baseball players anxiously sit around waiting for their hamburgers on the grill. The smell of the patties heal the mind as their bodies prepare to be refueled after a long practice. “Let’s say the blessing.” Katlin Jeffcoat said as the patties get taken off the grill. After the blessing the players rush to be first in line to fill their plate.

After a team practice Coach Brett Washburn scheduled a team dinner with the head sponsors of the booster club, Mike Keo and Cody Abke. Baseball is all about playing as a team and communication, this was just one of the many team bonding opportunities that they get. The baseball team does many things together to help build their friendships, and anything else to help them on the baseball field. The team has grown up together through travel ball teams, and has been strengthening friendships since young ages.

“Team bonding is something our program takes seriously since most of us grew up together and have played on many teams in the past,” senior Justin Zakos said. “We also have team dinners and challenges structured to build a better bond and memories. The more challenging things we overcome as a team, the closer we get.”

The players take opportunities outside of school to hangout, go out to eat, and plenty more which builds their bond on and off the field. Building their bond off the field helps them stay motivated to push each other during serious situations.

Though the seriousness, they always know how to lift each other up and keep the sport fun while playing.

“Justin Zakos is the funniest and most fun person to be around because he can make stressful and hard practices into something that people laugh about,” senior Reid Dorwart said. “Whether it is saying jokes in the dugout or hyping people up he is the kind of person and teammate that makes the season unforgettable.”

This year especially, the team bonding is at it’s peak as the baseball team has shown the possibility of a further playoff run than ever before.

“Our bats have looked stronger than ever before, and Washburn is a genius for making us do morning workouts in the off season,” senior Carter Williams said. “We have been playing like a whole new team. This year is going to be a great year and I’m excited to see the milestones we accomplish, and the titles we hold.”