“We are entering a new era of Mesa baseball. The coaching staff is committed to providing a quality program.
Entering this season, the players are looking forward to continued growth and success in the competitive Southwestern League. Our goal is to continue to develop our young Rams into fine, competitive student-athletes, reaching their full potential, both in the community and on the field.”
12/31/2014 - Snow on our RAM Field
Valley News - Q & A with Coach Wade
VN: Coach, thanks for inviting us out. We know your program has been hard at work paving some new paths, what is the outlook for the spring of 2015?
Coach Wade: "The outlook for 2015 is positive. I think we are moving in the right direction, but this is tough league with some of the best players and coaches in the country. My goodness, that TV team from last year was extremely talented. To win in this league is not at all easy. A team as talented as Vista Murrieta started off 0-3 last year in league. Great Oak, of course, won the league. They have quite a coaching staff over there. I believe Chaparral led the league in hitting and finished next to last. We finished beneath Chaparral after beating them twice. However, we can only control how we compete, and right now we have a great mindset to do that. So, the outlook for 2015 is good."
VN: Can you give us some scouting on what you think your strengths and weaknesses are right now?
Coach Wade: "It's tough to know our strengths and weaknesses on the field before we face the competition in this league. Off the field, we have a group of great kids who have a great bond together. One of my favorite experiences that we have had was the program's traveling a few hours to Simi Valley to visit the baseball exhibition at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The kids were immersed in the history of the game, a time when competition was fun and determination and grit were as important as or more important than WHIP or Wins Above Replacement. The Halloween scrimmage was great too."
VN: Is there a team to beat in this upcoming season?
Coach Wade: "The team to beat? I think every team in this league realizes the team NOT to beat is itself. The game is hard enough to compete with. If the question is about who the best team in the league will be, I have no idea. Let's go with the defending league champions, CIF champions, or the highly regarded Loara Tournament champions. Those are three different teams in this league.
VN: How is Mesa treating you?
Coach Wade: "I love Mesa. It's a special place that truly emphasizes being great people. The support from our principal, Steve Ellis; filmmaking teacher, Timeree Kristell; custodian, Kenny Armstrong; and other teachers and staff has made me feel that, in addition to our boosters, we have a family that spreads throughout Murrieta."
VN: OK Coach, last question, do you have any players that will be difference makers?
Coach Wade: "Baseball is a team game, though everyone likes to think it's one or a couple of players who make a difference. I cannot wrap my mind around the question of which players will make a difference. To win, they all have to make a difference. Good at bats, balls knocked down, pitches received well, opportunities seized, pressure conquered, great routes to balls hit, execution of pitches, being totally committed to the moment, etc. will stand out to me more than any one or two players' stat lines.
I've been around the game long enough to know that if one guy is getting more attention than the team, we are in trouble.
That being said, we have some players, because of their extremely hard work and individual effort in the classroom and on the field, who have been getting a great deal of attention from those recruiters and scouts at the next level. While I am dedicated to seeing those players move on in the game, I believe that they need to focus on the opportunity in front of them now, winning a league and/or CIF title with their buddies. Having won a few titles as a player and a coach, I understand that individual success is not as fulfilling as team success. I think about bullpen pitcher, Tim Lincecum, and starting pitcher, Clayton Kershaw (two multiple Cy Young Award winners) having the opportunity to trade places with each other. I'm pretty sure Kershaw would trade his multiple Cy Young Awards for World Championships. If he wouldn't, not sure he'd make our team."