The spring season is over for the local high school baseball teams, but the summer schedule is now set to begin.
Both Winder-Barrow and Apalachee will look to get an early jump on 2010 when returning players compete as a summer league squad against other area high schools during June.
The Diamond Doggs, who are coming off a trip to the second round of the state playoffs in 2009, will return to the field Friday for their first team practice. Practice sessions will also be held Saturday, Monday and Tuesday before the first summer league against Madison County is held next Wednesday.
A varsity doubleheader at home begins at 5:30 p.m. while the two schools will play a junior varsity doubleheader, also at 5:30 p.m., in Madison County. The Bulldoggs will continue working throughout the month culminating with a team trip to Mississippi State June 27-30.
AHS is also set to go during June. The Wildcats will play four tournaments this month.
This upcoming weekend AHS will play in the County Seat Tournament hosted by Central Gwinnett.
The following weekend the Wildcats will play in the North Oconee Tournament. During the weekend of June 20, Mike Cavey’s team will play in the Brookwood tournament.
Finally, the last weekend in June the players and coaches will travel to Columbus and compete in the River City Classic tournament hosted by Columbus State University.
“I like to be a little more relaxed during summer ball,” Cavey said. “I expect us to play hard and to win, but it’s also a time where you can start thinking about what positions the guys might be playing during next season.
“It gives me a chance to evaluate whether a guy can play at a certain position or not. It also helps to see if the younger guys moving up can adjust to higher level of play. I look to see who can fill the needed positions and who can’t. Winning isn’t the most important thing during summer league, but I expect to see us play competitively during each game.”
