Category: Baseball

COVID-19 Casts a Shadow Over Winter and Spring Sports Prep

Jeffersonville High School athletes are trying to keep in shape and healthy even as there are some concerns about how things will unfold this year with COVID-19.

Basketball, a winter sport, presents many challenges specific to the sport such as physical contact, touching the same ball, and being played inside. Sophomore boys basketball player Conner Lyons has some concerns but is ready to start the new season. He says his most pressing concern is “guarding people and close contact,” but Lyons’ concerns are overpowered by his drive to get back out on the court. “It’s always been my dream and that’s what I want to do when I get older,” he says. As of right now, the first game for Jeffersonville boys basketball is scheduled for December 5.

Members of the Jeff High baseball team, who have already lost their spring season this year, are trying to stay positive but realistic despite losing some senior talent. Baseball also has the benefit of being a more spaced out game that is played outdoors. Sophomore baseball player Sam Whallen isn’t getting his hopes up, saying, “we might not end up playing this season because of COVID.” The Jeff High baseball team’s first game is scheduled for April 2. 

Members of the Jeff High softball team are also trying to prepare for a spring season in 2021. Senior Danielle Monroe says the team is beginning winter workouts, which are different this year because of social distancing. Still, she feels like the effort will pay off in the spring. “I’m hopeful. I think we’ll have a season,” Monroe says. “I really hope so because it’s my senior year.”

The Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) has said the organization is committed to letting students play, saying they believe it is “essential to the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes to return to organized physical activity and build team relationships with their peers and coaches.”

Although every sport has its own precautions for the safety of players, coaches and fans, they have one thing in common: in the age of COVID, athletes are optimistic but unsure about the future.

Story by Caleb Vincent

by jhshyphen

Photo Gallery: Community, School Leaders Celebrate the Start of Baseball Facility Construction

On Thursday, November 21, school leaders gathered with past and present Jeff High baseball players to celebrate the beginning of construction for Jeff High’s new baseball facility. The project, which includes a new turf field and a replacement of the outer fencing, is being funded by a $500,000 donation from the John Schnatter Foundation. 

Papa John’s Pizza founder John Schnatter, a 1980 Jeff High graduate and baseball player, was on hand for the event. Schnatter thanked attendees for their support and said it was good to be back at Jeff after 30 years.

Although the facility will be named the John Schnatter Stadium, the field will still be named after former coach Don Poole. Poole also spoke at the event. 

Construction is expected to be complete in time for the first home baseball game in the spring of 2020.

 

Story and photos by Kyle Tincher

by jhshyphen

Opinion: Schnatter’s Donation to Jeffersonville Baseball Puts Him on the Right Path

It was July 11, 2018, when John Schnatter (Papa John) resigned as Board Chairman of Papa John’s Pizza. His resignation came after he used the N-word on a public relations conference call, but his fall from power began earlier. Schnatter is most known for his work as Papa John and his fall from power. However, many don’t know he graduated from Jeff High in 1980.

schnatter-baseball-1980

Schnatter’s problems began in November 2017 when he expressed his disappointment over the peaceful protest of African-American NFL athletes taking a knee during the national anthem. The company tried to smooth over his comments, but the damage had been done.

In January 2018 John Schnatter stepped down as Chief Executive of Papa Johns, following a sales decline, partly linked to the NFL scandal, and in February 2018 Papa Johns ended their partnership with the NFL.

In May 2018 the conference call occurred in which Schnatter used the racial slur, yet the incident would remain unknown until July 11. The day John Schnatter lost everything. Soon after the news of his resignation spread, multiple partners and contracts were suspended. The University of Louisville began the process of renaming “Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium,” and many others began the process of removing the brand from their own.

Then, less than a week later, July 17, Schnatter started talking. He first walked back his resignations saying, “he was kinda provoked” in saying the racial slur. He also expressed regret over his decision to resign before the board did a full investigation. Despite his fight, by August 1, 2018, John Schnatter had been erased from all forms of advertising of Papa Johns.

Despite the loss of his company, Schnatter still maintains the John Schnatter Foundation which makes many charitable contributions. He has recently been using his foundation to help the Southern Indiana and Louisville community.

Most recently, Schnatter gave $500,000 to Jeffersonville High School for a turf baseball field and a replacement of the outer fencing, The stadium and facility will be named the John Schnatter Stadium, but the field will remain Don Poole Field.

John Schnatter has made many mistakes, and his use of racial slurs is inexcusable. However, this is the real world. John Schnatter has expressed remorse, and he is trying to help. Through this donation, he is helping his community and our school.

I believe in principles, but I also believe in practicality. This donation helps everyone, and while many will always associate his name with accusations of racism, we must also acknowledge the good his actions have and will do for the community.

by Max_Fisher

Sports: Spring Previews- Baseball

baseball-jackson-kreur

With the boys baseball team winning sectionals and coming runner-up in regionals
last season, they have a lot to live up to. With five returning seniors this year, they plan to do everything they can to bring home a state title.

Senior, and USI commit, Drew Taylor, has a lot of hope in his team.“Losing seven seniors in all, and four starters, is going to be tough and no doubt will put a toll on our team,” he said. “But I have all the faith in the world that our new, and returning players, can get just as far, and hopefully further, than we did last year.”

The team finished with a winning season last year, going 24-6.

They project to continue their incredible accomplishment in the 2019 season. Despite having most of their players returning this year, the boys also have a talented freshman class joining them. According to incoming freshman Chate Amick, “The upperclassmen go out of their way to make sure we feel welcomed and are always teaching us new things to help us prepare for our first high school season.”

The team started the regular season on March 29. “We hope to see you come out this spring and support your Red Devils!” Amick said.

Written by Adley McMahel

Photo by Amber Rowe

by jhshyphen

MULTIMEDIA: JHS’ Baseball Brotherhood

story by Tristan Jackson

video by Bella Bungcayao, Tristan Jackson and Kyle Tincher

Four brothers. One bond.

For many boys growing up in Southern Indiana, one sport has become a way for them to connect and make friends. As spring hits they flock to the field to play their favorite sport: baseball

From the Little League fields of Jeff/GRC to Jeff High’s own Don Poole Field, seniors Gabe Bierman, Bailey Falkenstein, Hunter Schmitz, and Trey Bottorff have played together since they were seven years old.

“All sports give you a special connection with, and baseball has really brought us closer together,” Schmitz said.

The bond between the four players can be seen as they take the field together, and in the dugout as they get the team hyped for the game ahead of them.

“Team chemistry is one of the most important things in all sports, and it’s going to help us win,” Bottorff said. “I know what brings Gabe, Bailey, and Hunter down and I know how to bring them up.”

Hit after hit, play after play, each guy does his part to make the teammates around them better. And this is very noticeable between these four.

“We play baseball and then we go hang out together. I mean we’re always around each other,” Falkenstein said.

For the past 11 years, these guys have been nearly inseparable. Even though this will mark their last year of competitive baseball together, the quartet will be friends for life.   

“We’ve been playing for so long together, it’s a lifelong connection,” Bierman said. “I’ll be with these guys for the rest of my life.”

Gabe, Hunter, and Trey all plan on attending Indiana University next fall, with Gabe being the lone Red Devil taking his play to the next level and playing for the Hoosiers.

Trey and Hunter with both be going to further their education, going to study pre-law and sports management, respectively, while still cheering on their brother, who has MLB aspirations.

“It’s a dream still, and in order to make that happen, hard work must be put in,” Bierman said on his hopes to play professionally in an interview with The Hyphen earlier in the year.

Bailey will go a different route, and attend Olney Central Junior College in Illinois, where he continue both his baseball and basketball careers.

While this year will likely mark their last year of baseball together, the bond they made will last forever.

“We are not just teammates, we are brothers,” Bottorff said.

In this, their last go-round, they will look to compete for a state championship as a part of the No. 7 ranked Red Devils, who have gotten out to a 17-4 record start this season, and have already clinched the Hoosier Hills Conference.

Four brothers. One bond. And it all comes down to this season: the final chapter.

by jhshyphen

MULTIMEDIA: Net up or Heads up

video by Emma Ellis & Haylee Hedrick

At Jeffersonville High School, the baseball field and tennis courts sit within feet of each other. While the close proximity is useful for watching two sporting events at once, it also creates a safety issue with foul balls easily reaching the tennis courts.

Hyphen writers Emma Ellis and Haylee Hedrick look at the issue, and what can be done to ensure safety for all JHS athletes.

by jhshyphen

Jeffersonville defeats Madison 16-0 on Senior Night

Photos by Phillip Steinmetz

Ethan English pitching
The players are talked to before senior night.
Trey Bottorff running the bases
Mike Minton running home
Cam Northern after coming home
Senior Mike Minton
Senior Cam Northern
Senior Ian Francisco
Bennie Day during introductions.
Seniors hugging their teammates.
Senior Mike Minton
Senior Nick Grider
Ethan English pitching
Hunter Schmitz at bat
Ethan English pitching
Trey Bottorff and Mike Minton.
Senior Jacob Cochrum
Jacob Cochrum and Trey Bottorff
Ian Francisco running home
Mike Minton at bat
Ethan English at bat
Bennie Day coming home
Senior Bennie Day
Mike Minton at bat
Senior Bennie Day
Senior Jacob Cochrum
Ethan English pitching
Seniors hugging their teammates.
Ian Francisco and Trey Bottorff doing their handshake.
Hunter Schmitz at bat
Nick Grider at bat
Jackson Kruer during introductions.
Senior Ian Francisco
Hunter Schmitz during introductions.
Senior Nick Grider

by phillipsteinmetz

Jeff clinches 1st win of the season over undefeated Austin (Photo Gallery)

Jeffersonville defeated Austin 1-0 to earn 1st win of the season.

All photos by Phillip Steinmetz

Jeff tagged out on 2nd base.
Jack Ellis at bat.
Hunter Schmitz with Trey Bottorff.
Jacob Cochrum about to pitch.
Ian Francisco at bat.
Jacob Cochrum pitching.
Jack Ellis running back to base.
Ian Francisco being introduced.
Jacob Cochrum pitching.
Jacob Cochrum throws out the batter.
Jack Ellis waits for the ball.
Jeffersonville baseball after celebrating the 1-0 victory over Austin.
Jeff baseball during introductions.
Drew Taylor at bat.
Jeffersonville after the victory.
Bennie Day stepping up to the plate.
Bennie Day watching the ball go past him.
Jeffersonville before the game.
Ethan English being introduced.
Jack Ellis waits for the ball.

by phillipsteinmetz

Jeff baseball comes up short against rival Highlanders (Photo Gallery)

Photos by Phillip Steinmetz

Gabe Bierman pitching,
Ian Fransisco at bat.
Bailey Falkenstein at bat.
Bailey Falkenstein at bat.
Hunter Schmitz, Bailey Falkenstein, Trey Bottorff before the game.
Bennie Day at bat.
Jack Ellis at bat.
Jacob Cochrum at bat.
Ian Fransisco at bat.
Trey Bottorff at bat.
Jack Ellis walks to the batters box.
Hunter Schmitz at bat.
The Red Devils during pregame introductions.
Gabe Bierman about to throw a pitch.
Bennie Day at bat.
Trey Bottorff running down the first base line.
Hunter Schmitz swings for the ball.
Trey Bottorff swings the bat.
Gabe Bierman on the mound.
Hunter Schmitz waits for the ball.
Gabe Bierman on the mound.
Hunter Schmitz and fellow teammates celebrate a run scored.
Bennie Day at bat.
Jack Ellis at bat.
Gabe Bierman throws a pitch.
Bennie Day at bat.

by phillipsteinmetz