The Carleton Ravens men’s baseball team is getting help from some familiar faces. The coaching staff for the 2014 season is filled out with three former players in Steve Renaud, Evan Hammond, and Charlie Crabb.
Renaud, a former shortstop with the team said while Andre Robidaux is the head coach, the assistants are given a large amount of responsibility both on game day and throughout the week at practice.
“As the assistant coach I help out with the practices working with the defense, setting up team defense and also working with the hitters,” he said. “With the pregame, I help [Robidaux] get the lineup ready.”
While the transition from player to coach can be a tough one to make and one that comes with some negatives, Renaud said he believes it is worth the risk having coaches that know the league.
“We know a whole lot of the guys on opposing teams and it lets [younger players] know that what we are saying will help them in this league . . . so I hope it has a little bit more merit or weight behind it,” he said.
Wil Mcintyre, a senior pitcher on the team, said he believes it is a great asset to still have former players play a part in the program, especially for the younger players on the team.
“They obviously know the other teams and they know the way the program should be run. Their experience in the league just goes along way,” he said. “They are all really good ball players, so all the rookies kind of looked up to them already, so it does make a difference.”
However, Mcintyre also said that having former teammates on the coaching staff brought along some challenges of its own.
“I’ve been playing baseball with Evan, Steve, and Charlie for eight years. I feel like I’m their friend but I have to look at them as an authority figure now,” he said. “I can’t really joke around with them as much as I used to.”
Renaud said having so many new faces on the coaching staff will cause some challenges to any sports program.
That may already be having an effect on the team as they came out of their opening weekend with a win and three losses, however Renaud still believes the team has the time and talent to get their team back on the winning track before it’s too late.
“The goal is always a national title,” he said.
