Forest Park baseball takes shape

By Patrick Browne
CRYSTAL FALLS — Coming off their first year of varsity baseball last year and the difficulty of a winless season, the Forest Park Trojans in their second year are sporting an impressive 6–5 record. Coach Mike Larson, in his second year at the helm, could not be more pleased with the effort his team is exhibiting.
“The leadership of our seniors is really making a difference,” he said. “We have a very committed group of players. I could tell at the first practice that we were a different team. The returning players were picking things up more quickly and they were helping to guide the younger players.  I have never been associated with a team that is more unified.”
Prior to dropping both ends of a double-header to Bark River, the team started the season with four wins. The most exciting of the victories was a 16–15 come from behind victory against North Dickinson.  
Although the team was ready to play, the variable spring weather forced a number of games to be postponed. When the weather was playable, the games often took place so close together that the team had difficulty getting the necessary rest for their pitching staff.
“We have two veteran pitchers working with a couple of sophomores, but when we have to condense our schedule even a strong pitching staff becomes fatigued,” Larson said.
Sophomore and second-year player Matthew Showers summed up year two: “I feel like last year we just didn’t know what was always going on compared to this year,” he said. “We have a lot more players, we know what to do and we’re having a lot more fun. We are building a culture this year and that’s different from last year when we lost eleven games and didn’t win one.”
Norway once again looks like the team to beat and Forest Park recently dropped a double-header to them.
“Our guys looked good, but Norway is a good team,” Larson said. “We played much better this year.”
With two double-headers left and districts beginning June 2 after a first-round bye, the Trojans already know they will play the winner of North Central and Stephenson.
“I tell our guys before every game, cut down on strike outs and make routine plays,” Larson said. “If we do this we are in every game and we just may make a run come districts.”