The Mark Kalinkewicz era at Galway High School has begun. Last week, the new varsity baseball coach practiced with his new team for the first time, as players fielded, threw, and hit in the high school gym.
It’s
a seasonal tradition for practices to start indoors, which is one disadvantage
of the northeast baseball season. For the first few weeks, Kalinkewicz and his
staff have a limited angle on scouting the talent they have. “It’s hard
throwing indoors,” said Kalinkewicz. “But, it looks like everyone can hit.”
Kalinkewicz
said that his primary goal is to go out and be competitive every game. He
believes that goal is something his players should all expect from themselves.
In the Western Athletic Conference’s North Division, Kalinkewicz & Co. will
test themselves against schools that have produced state champions in recent
years, Saratoga Catholic and Fort Plain. “I want to see what Spa Catholic has,”
said Kalinkewicz.
A
sectional berth is on the new coach’s agenda as well. But, first, he wants to
work on getting players acclimated to the speed of the game, and get reacquainted
with his players.
A sectional title would be Galway’s first
since 1986.
Galway
alum Neal Evans, 67, has been around Galway sports since he was in high school
as a student. He’s coached for 40 years, and spent 18 of those years coaching
baseball. He said the hiring of Kalinkewicz has a key element Galway has been
lacking in recent head coaches. “I think he does have an advantage knowing the
students and their parents,” Evans said. Evans was the last coach to lead a
Galway team to a sectional title, with the 2007 boys’ soccer team. “One problem
is that [baseball] coaches were not Galway people, and were unable to spend the
necessary time on the total program,” Evans said. Coaches would typically work
with the team from early March to the end of May, and wouldn’t organize summer
teams. Kalinkewicz said that his staff was trying to get more players to play
organized summer ball.
Evans
said that Kalinkewicz’ toughest task will be decisions like who should bat
clean-up, or fourth, in the lineup, and who should be the ace of the rotation.
“Figuring out the composition of the team will be the hardest thing for him to
do,” said Evans. “And, he will.”
Class
of 2012 alum Cody Marshall played for Kalinkewicz’ predecessor, Toby
Youngblood, and says Kalinkewicz is a “great fit with what they’re trying to
do, and wants to make each player a better person.” Marshall believes coaching
isn’t about being familiar with the area. “It’s more about creating your own
system and getting players to buy into it,” Marshall said.
Both
Evans and Marshall agreed a new coach shouldn’t shy away from setting a
sectional title as a goal. “I think it should be a goal every year,” Marshall
said. “But, it isn’t necessary for a successful season.”
Kalinkewicz’ first test is slated
for March 31st, against the Schoharie Indians
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