DECATUR -- When the term "March Madness" is used in a crowd of enthusiastic sport fans, the image of college basketball finals appears. But that term has a different meaning when talking about high school sports.
Since high school basketball is now a distant memory, attention turns to one of four high school sports in play during the last three months of the school year, soccer, track, softball and baseball. For the Decatur Bulldog baseball team, the season begins March 20 when they travel south to take on the Greenland Pirates.
This will be the second season for coach Jason Porter, who came to Decatur from St. Paul last year.
Porter's first task as coach was to rebuild the Bulldog baseball program from the ground up. Since it was his first year, many of his players were uncertain of what the new coach's expectations were and where the program would go. This caused a great deal of commitment problems on the part of some of the players, which in turn fueled a sense of frustration for Porter.
However, this season is different. The players are more in tune with Porter's expectations and are eager to play.
"It seems that this year there is a genuine sense of excitement within each of the players," Porter said. "I have the young guys out here ready to go, ready to practice. I have them practicing with more experienced guys and they seem to want to play."
Last season, Porter was lucky if nine players would show up for practice, leading to the question of whether he would have enough for a team. The Bulldogs went the entire season without a win. This year, the number of students that are interested in the baseball program has nearly doubled, to 16.
"If we keep growing, I think that baseball in Decatur will really take off," Porter said. "I have guys that are showing up this year and do what it takes to play even to a point where they are doing things they are told to do, trying things outside their comfort zone. They are listening to instructions and that is a big thing to me."
With the commitment Porter has received thus far in the season, the Decatur baseball program is on a winning track. With a winning season comes the possibility of a berth in the district tournament at Magazine in May. However, a lot of elements will have to come together to make this a reality. But, from what Porter has seen so far, it can be done.
Porter's season hinges on two pitchers: Jay Porter, who was named to the all-district team as a freshman last year; and senior Brody Funk, who was an honorable mention to the all-district team last year as well.
"As long as they stay healthy, I think we can compete with anybody in the league," said Porter. "That is something that I believe in whole heartily and is something I hope we can prove on the field."
Other members of last year's team returning for the second season are catcher Joey Barnes, who Porter is training to be a relief pitcher; Bracy Owens; Kyle Shaffer; and Ryan Shaffer.
With a new, more energetic team ready to play, the 2015 Decatur Bulldog baseball teams promises to be exciting. For a complete list of games, go to decatursd.com/athletics.
Sports on 03/18/2015