Sinclair baseball coach Steve Dintaman decided to give his players a reminder as the team prepared for the 2009 season.
Dintaman ordered customized bracelets saying ‘Enid 09′ and ‘Who do you play for?’ The bracelets are wrapped around the wrists of every member of the Pride including Dintaman’s.
“Originally, it was made for the mental game,” said Dintaman. “One of the questions we came up with was ‘Who do you play for?’ Whatever the answer is, there is something that drives them to play here. It’s a reminder for why they are here.”
After pitching coach Jim Harrison passed away over the fall, the bracelets earned an extra meaning.
“Once Coach passed, it kind of changed the perception of what the saying meant,” said Dintaman. “Coach saw a lot of good in this team. He constantly said that this team could win the regional and go to the World Series. It’s a very talented, deep team.”
Nine sophomores return from a 24-18 team that reached the NJCAA Region 12 Tournament, providing the Pride with experience and depth. Dintaman said that this is one of the deepest teams he’s been around.
Catcher Corey Throckmorton led the Pride in hitting while earning first-team all-conference honors. Throckmorton returns after recently committing to Lincoln Memorial College.
Also returning is third-year Pride centerfielder Dan Marsh. Marsh was on his way to a solid year until his season was cut short due to a broken pinky finger after seven games. Marsh turned in a 4.0 GPA over the fall and was named team captain for the second consecutive season.
“He’s the best player you could ever coach,” said Dintaman. “He’s unbelievable in everything he does.”
The biggest question mark for the Pride lies with their pitching staff. Only three pitchers return for the Pride: Kyle Hopwood, Craig Corcoran and Ryan Knisley. The three combined to throw 27 percent of the Pride’s innings in 2008.
Even with a weak economy, Dintaman is hopeful for the future of Sinclair baseball.
“As long as [Sinclair] backs us up and we continue to move forward, this could be one of the better programs in the country,” said Dintaman.
Dintaman said the Pride’s baseball program, historically, is the most successful program at Sinclair. The Pride has reached the Region XII Tournament 14 times over the past 18 seasons.
The Pride stacked up their schedule in order to prepare for the groups ultimate goal.
“This is the toughest schedule we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Dintaman. “Our goal isn’t to win 40 games. Our goal is to win championships, and this is going to prepare us for championships by playing the best teams possible.”
Sinclair faces a huge test when Grand Rapids Community College comes to Dayton on Mar. 15. Grand Rapids, one of the four Michigan colleges on Sinclair’s schedule, won the 2008 Region 12 Tournament and owns five national championships.
Dintaman said he feels that this team could be very special. The Pride dedicated their upcoming season to honor coach Harrison and hope to earn a trip to the NJCAA World Series in Enid, Okla.
“These guys know what the expectations are. When they show up the first day and come to school here you know that the expectation is the World Series,” said Dintaman.