Behind the cheers and bright lights of big league stadiums, there’s a lesser-known story unfolding at Sparkman. A hidden baseball team fueled by teamwork, determination and pure joy for the game.
Coach Josiah John and several players shared how this spirited group prepares and supports each other on and off the field. From rookie nerves to multi-sport talents, Sparkman’s SLC Baseball team is gearing up for a season full of passion, growth, and unforgettable moments.
“I prepare my team by going over the rules of the game and the basic skills, such as throwing baseballs with a partner, running bases, and hitting the ball off the tee,” Coach John, head coach, said.
Rules and basic skills are easily forgotten, but they are the most important parts of the game. Rules help the players understand the key values of the game, how to help each other if they need help, and good sportsmanship.
“My key values are that my players play together as a team, try their best, and most importantly, have fun!” Coach John said.
These key values help the kids hold each other accountable and assist them in communicating with each other so they know where they went wrong or what they did right. This creates a foundation for strong friendships and relationships, resolves conflicts and inspires success by instilling trust in each other.
“I believe my team has good communication skills with the game of baseball and is good at supporting each other on and off the field,” Coach John said.
Communication skills are important because they help the team work together on the field like a family. There are 16 players on the baseball team, and some of the team members are multi-sport athletes. The baseball season starts on October 2nd. Sparkman’s SLC coaches push their players to improve because they know what they can do when they just have to believe in themselves.
Junior Micah Mitchell plays multiple sports, including soccer, bowling, and basketball. He practices ground balls, pop flies and throwing fastballs. When asked if he enjoyed playing baseball, he said, “Yes, and having fun”.
Mitchell is a good baseball player. He loves the game and he loves the people he plays the game with. Mitchell is really competitive in the sports he plays. He enjoys them all, but his favorite is baseball and when he was asked about his favorite play, he said, “Double play”. After he makes a home run, Mitchell said he will, “Slide in head first, and Vitaly and I jumped up and hit shoulders.”
Good communication skills help them understand what’s right and wrong and what people believed in them and that people were in there for them and that people had big plans for them and they want to see them grow and get better.
“My plans are to teach them valuable life skills and make them different simultaneously.” Coach John said.
Coach Matthew Boston, also a coach for the team, has big plans for his students to do well and to win in life. He wants them to be better in the way their communication skills will assist them in life, and he is trying to guide them to believe in themselves. He wants them to know how they have someone to fall back on if they fall.
“We will see how the road takes us. They have skills, and have practiced hard”, Coach Boston said. “So let’s just take it one game at a time. I always want them to win, but I’m more concerned about them winning in life.”
