Jack Christian fires a pitch for one of Marysville’s Elite summer baseball teams. The program is already gearing toward the 2019 season.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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The Marysville Elite baseball program went fairly well this summer, according to coordinator Dustin Wade.
“We had an issue as far as the (Marysville High School) coaching transition,” said Wade. “That involved mostly scheduling issues and it was not a major problem. It was just a matter of getting games lined up and some other administrative duties.”
The Elite program was started a couple of years ago by then-MHS head coach Mark Brunswick.
The program continued this season after Brunswick’s resignation in late May.
“All three of our teams (15U, 16U and 17U) were able to get in between 20 and 25 games this summer,” said Wade. “They were able to play together as Marysville athletes and build on their comprehension of teamwork.”
About the only thing that any of the local teams missed out on was the trip to play in a tournament in Omaha, Neb.
The Monarchs participated in the tournament last year.
“The Marysville spring baseball coaches weren’t able to go and we didn’t think we would have enough chaperones for the trip,” said Wade. “We didn’t want to just send one coach per team.”
Wade feels the Elite program will come back strong in 2019.
“We had an off-year, what with the coaching transition at the high school,” he said. “However, Coach Blake (Marysville’s new head coach Nick) is very supportive and wants to keep it going.
“The things we need to work on for next year involve a lot of administrative work behind the scenes,” said Wade. “The actual playing of the games gave us no problems.
“I’m not sure who will be scheduling the games for next year,” he said. “A lot of that will be up to Coach Blake and the Diamond Club as we move forward.”
Wade feels the Elite program is vital to the future of Marysville High School baseball.
“This gives our kids the opportunity to play baseball together in the summer,” he said. “It gives them a chance to learn each other’s tendencies and bring them all together.”
That, Wade said, will benefit the Monarchs during ensuing high school seasons.