Like many sports over the last year, there is still a lot of uncertainty around whether collegiate spring sports will be played. But, head coach Scott Landers of the Oswego State Baseball team is preparing to get ready for an approaching season. 

Landers knows it will be difficult getting everything going, but he said that his team will be ready when the time comes.

“It’s tough being in the right frame of mind,” Landers said. “I haven’t been around these guys since March 13 of last year, but we have to be optimistic, we have to be ready to go.”

Landers believes that being allowed to play baseball will be refreshing, not only for him, but for his players as well, who have had to wait an entire year to get back out on the field with their teammates.

“There’s a lot of external factors this year,” Landers said “That you know, not just us, everybody in the country has had to deal with. We have to overcome it”

Due to COVID-19 messing with the season, as well as the ability for teams to practice together, Landers does not have any expectations going into the season, if it even happens. Without having seen any of his players play this year, he does not know what to expect out of them when they do get the chance to play.

“I don’t know what my goals are for this year,” Landers said. “I haven’t seen the freshman play one ounce since they’ve gotten on campus.”

Paul Tammaro and Ryan Enos know that they have an elevated leadership role this coming season, especially for the freshmen who have not been around the team as much as they would have under normal circumstances. Tammaro has a goal for bringing the team together if given the opportunity to play this season. 

“One of the main goals for me, is to really just try to be more vocal and really include the freshman into the team,” Tammaro said. “But I’d say the main goal is honestly just to get on the field and have fun.”

During this weird time, they needed to try and stay in contact with everyone to keep them connected.

“Keeping in touch with Zoom and trying to incorporate them as much as we can [is key],” Tammaro said. “Hopefully through practices and games, we will be able to incorporate them into our system.” 

While Tammaro is focused on making sure he is involving the underclassmen in every way possible, Enos is setting an example of how to carry themselves as students and athletes.

“Being a leader by making sure they do what they need to do everyday,” Enos said. “Being a role model, so they see what we do and know that’s what they need to be doing.”

Photo from The Oswegonian file photo from 2019