Veteran coach Dean Dicenzo is entering his 49th spring on Ontario diamonds — and he had never seen one like this.

How young players and coaches are dealing with being in quarantine?

By Elisabeth Rositsan

Canadian Baseball Network

Teams across the country were set to start their competitive season in early spring. However, in just a few weeks, plans changed…

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe and affected so many aspects of everyday life. Athletes and coaches are still figuring out how to cope with such unusual circumstances and are assessing different ways to stay safe without losing contact with their beloved sport. Even coaches with years of experience are shocked by the situation.

Manager of the Ontario Terriers 18U Dean Dicenzo (Albion Falls, Ont.) says, “I’ve been on a ball field as a coach or a player for 49 straight years and have never seen anything like this before.”

Ditto for Etobicoke Rangers coach Denny Berni (Etobicoke, Ont.): “I have been doing this since 1993 and I can’t remember anything like this.”

One of the biggest questions that remains is about the upcoming season -- whether it be tryouts or games -- and how the new schedule will play out? Tryouts are something each young player looks forward to in the spring. This is an opportunity for players to be recruited to one of the major programs for the 2021 season. For many, it can mean the beginning of where they will play the next four years.

The Terriers have decided their tryouts will be held electronically. Players will have to submit a two–to-three-minute video showcasing their skills. This way, players can still show their talent without encountering any danger.

“You can tell a lot from a video, you can see how a player’s hands work fielding, or his mechanics throwing and hitting,” said Dicenzo, one of the Terriers top evaluators.

Some teams are sticking to in-person tryouts but are following every measure to keep their athletes safe and following orders given by The World Health Organization. Etobicoke coach Berni says, “If the Ranger teams are allowed to run tryouts, we will take all the proper measures to keep players and coaches safe.”

Another barrier players and coaches must face is not being able to train or compete. Being restricted from doing what you love and not being able to fulfill your own expectations can be extremely draining.

Toronto Mets OF Charlie Iriotakis (Toronto, Ont.) said: “It has been mentally hard for me as an athlete being restricted from the sport I love. It is hard as I am stuck in the house and [have] nowhere to go because all parks are closed and can’t get out and play baseball.”

Etobicoke’s Ethan Pollard (Brampton, Ont.) also talked about the toll this situation has had on his mental health.

“I feel that is has been difficult being restricted from right now. Of course, before this outbreak started, practices and training took up a large portion of my time,” he said. “Usually, at this time in the year, live bullpens would start up and there would be a drive to make your final gains before the season starts in May.

“But now there is none of that. I would say the hardest part is the absence of the whole energy surrounding baseball and my team. Especially at this time of the year, so close to the start of our season.”

Ontario Blue Jays RHP Julian Parson (Mississauga, Ont.) added, “It has definitely been mentally hard on me as all of this is new to me. Ever since I was a little kid, I have been able to train and play year-round, which has become a part of me. I would always wake up and see what I must do baseball-wise. Now having very minimal things to do all day, it is different for me.”

Terriers’ Elijha Hammill (Oakville, Ont.) and Canadian Junior National Team member said, “It has been hard not getting to play baseball because I’ve been doing this all my life.”

Hammill has been playing the game since he was two, so being cooped up inside without being able to go on the field with his team is an unusual feeling. However, it has not stopped the young player from improving his kills.

“The COVID-19 outbreak has stopped me from going to the Baseball Zone to do infield work and has stopped me from going to the performance lab. However, it has not stopped me from doing work on my own. I find ways to get my training done.

“For example, I have a net in my backyard in which I can hit baseballs into off a tee and throw into as well. I am also lucky to live near an area with open fields so I can go there and work on my running and sprints.”

Players throughout different teams are finding ways to stay active and motivated.

“This period of isolation has opened up more time for me to train my body to stay in shape and practice my skills,” said Mets C Robert Battista (Toronto, Ont.). “My coaches are always available to help through FaceTime and text if I have any questions regarding technique, which is very helpful.”

It is the same in the west as Okotoks Dawgs RHP Simon Lusignan (Varennes, Que.) He believes the “way to stay motivated during this crisis is to look forward.”

“You can take the outbreak as an advantage,” said Lusignan. “If you can get ahead of people by working harder than them during this crisis then it can benefit you.”

Even though players are choosing different ways to train, there is one aspect all agree on: The key to staying active and sane in these times is communicating with coaches and teammates. It is important for players to not lose touch with the baseball world. Coaches organize zoom calls in order to check up on their players and keep them on track.

Hammill mentioned the importance of staying in touch with his fellow teammates and coaches.

“We have zoom meetings to discuss how we are dealing with this, what exercises we are doing,” Hammill said. “If we are keeping in touch with college coaches and if we have everything figured out in that area.”

Hammill pointed out that the Terriers coaches and staff are doing everything to keep their players safe and help them through these uncertain times.

INF Cody Hendriks (Coquitlam, BC) said that the Okotoks Dawgs coaches organize live-streamed practices which help players improve their skills while at home. These streams are modified to accommodate players who do not have large spaces for practising.

It is important to remember that young players are not only balancing at-home training and trying to cope with the inability to be on the field, but also must find a way to succeed in online schooling. Nonetheless, these challenges have not stopped the success of young stars.

“The biggest goal right now is to stay in a positive mental state, maintain my academics, continue to develop all aspects of my game, and to be ready when baseball gets back on the field,” says SS Myles Naylor (Mississauga, Ont.) of the Ontario Blue Jays.

Rangers’ OF Luke Berni (Etobicoke, Ont.) points out, “Now that our classes are online, it has helped me develop better structure within my day. In terms of workouts, I have been focusing on gaining strength and size. I train at home and combine weight training with J Bands, stretching, push-ups, and sit-ups. I am trying to increase my calorie intake without eating junk food and I also take a mass gain/protein shake every day.”

Ontario Blue Jays OF David Calabrese (Maple, Ont.) adds, “I am in the process of completing my grade 12 courses which are being done virtually right now. Also, I dedicate a lot of time during the day to various workouts.”

Once it is safe for the season to get back on track, all coaches expressed the importance of taking extra precautions to keep all facilities sanitized and safe.

Head coach of the Dawgs Jeff Duda (Surrey, BC) says, “Our facility has always been maintained and sanitized by professional cleaners.”

“We have always been a step ahead and that will not change,” Duda said. “Once the facility is running again and baseball is back to normal, we will continue to enforce proper hygiene for our athletes and follow any health guidelines provided by the medical experts and government.”

As challenging as this period may seem, all players and coaches are staying safe and are utilizing every resource they have in order to stay motivated.

Mike Steed (Burlington, Ont.) hopes to manage the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods Summer League and is the pitching coordinator of the Ontario Blue Jays. He offered some enthusiastic words of wisdom for the young players.

“Stay positive, keep your eyes on your goals,” Steed said. “Just because we are all at home does not mean that there is not another player trying to outwork you from their house. Players have to find a good balance right now to be ready when school, sports, and life returns to normal.”

Rositsan: How players and coaches are hurrying up and waiting