Baseball tryouts under way

Pitchers and catchers ‘report’ to tryouts

By: Brandon Sosna

   Just as the Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers have reported to spring training, so I have the aspiring young men who wish to star on the baseball diamond.
   Pitchers and catchers tryouts are underway, as almost 60 guys showed up to show off their stuff. A hectic tossing session in the main gym at Sycamore High School made up the first day of the tryout, on Monday, February 25. Tryouts are continuing through the week of March 3-7.
   “It’s going pretty good, the coaches are making it fun, until conditioning of course, and I think people are having fun for the most part,” said Matt Cianciolo, 9.
   For the position players of the group, a conditioning session was held during the pitcher and catcher workouts. Tryouts for those position players are scheduled for March 10-15.
   Sycamore is a football school, but despite that, many young men have been hitting the weight room, as well as undergoing rigorous conditioning sessions, to get them ready for the upcoming season.
   “Coach Miller runs us hard, but it’s not that bad,” said Michael Streicher, 9.
   Not to mention, these dedicated freshmen have been showing up at the high school many of the last Saturdays at 7:30 am for hitting workouts.
   “It’s early, but it’s fun to be swinging again,” said Jeremy Dock, 9.
   For the freshmen, this will be their first tryout, and for some, their last. But, for the very talented freshmen, this test could ultimately place them on the jayvee squad, the highest level a freshman can play.
   Opening day is approaching. Monday, March 31, 2008 is one of the best days in Cincinnati: opening day. Now, it is one of the best days at Sycamore High School.