When looking at the upcoming baseball season for the Potosi High School, it is clear that this year’s team is focused on both the success on the field and building a strong team off of it.
Coach Leibfried explained that the main goals for the season are the same every year. The team wants to compete for a conference championship and make runs at regionals, sectionals, and hopefully state. He also talked about how important it is to continue adding years that memorialize conference championships and other honors to the board on the gym wall as a reminder of the program's success. At the same time, he stressed that high school sports are more about winning. When they should be making memories, spending time with teammates, and creating bonds that last long after high school are just as important
Staying motivated through a long season is not a big concern for this team. Coach Leibfried said that many players in the program are already motivated by wanting to be at the top of the conference. His main focus is helping each player improve by identifying what they struggle with and helping them get better in those areas. By doing this, players grow more confident and continue to push themselves throughout the season.
Leadership will be a major strength this year. The team has four seniors who have been around the game for a long time and gained valuable experience. Coach Leibfried is excited to see how they lead by example and help guide the rest of the team during practices and games. One thing that excites the coaching staff is watching the team grow over the course of the season. Every year brings a new team and a fresh start. Coach Leibfried believes this group truly loves baseball and is willing to put in the work. Building on last season, the team hopes to continue hitting the ball well while also developing better, more dominant pitching.
Preparation is a big part of handling pressure situations. Coach Leibfried emphasized that practicing game-like scenarios helps players know what to do when it matters the most. He also talked about how failure is a part of the game and should be used as a learning opportunity. Players are taught not to dwell on mistakes but to move on and stay focused on the game ahead. Teams that handle adversity the best are usually the ones that win close games.
Attention to detail is another part of practice. Doing the little things right, such as moving runners, getting key hits, defending bunts, and working on these details every day, helps the team succeed when it counts. Keeping everyone bought in, including players who may not start, is something the program takes seriously. Coach Leibfried makes it clear that every player matters. Awards like the Brotherhood Award and Dewski Award recognize players who support their teammates and find ways to contribute to the team´s success. The Dewski Award is for a person who can celebrate his and his teammates' success and find a way to become an important part of this team. This helps create a strong team culture.
The team´s strengths going into the season include experienced leadership, strong hitting, and pitching that should be a big asset to the team's success. The biggest challenge will be a tough conference with teams like Ridge, Belmont, Barneveld, Highland, and Pecatonica all returning strong players. Even with these challenges, Coach Leibfried believes the team will be ready to compete every night and make this season a memorable one.