Monarch pitcher Jack Christian prepares to fire the ball toward the plate. Like other high school athletes, Christian hopes an abbreviated 2020 season can still be played this spring. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
One of the top high school baseball pitchers in Union County is just waiting things out, pondering what’s coming down the road.
Marysville High School junior Jack Christian is like every other high school spring sports athlete in the state of Ohio.
They’re wondering whether they will have any type of season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Christian is doing all he can to try and stay in solid condition, just in case spring sports return on an abbreviated schedule in May.
“I’ve been working out on my own in an open field across from my home,” said Christian during a recent telephone interview with the Journal-Tribune.
“I’ve been doing a lot of long toss and also using a net to work on my pitches,” he said. “It’s tough at times, especially if it rains.”
No high school athletes have access to any school facilities during the state-wide shutdown.
Christian posted a 6-3 won-loss record during the 2019 season. He had a solid 2.05 ERA in 51 innings of work.
His individual workouts have varied during the state-mandated school shutdown.
“There are days when I do ‘bullpen sessions’ when I really let loose with my pitches,” said Christian. “On other days, it’s about arm care.”
Christian said he’s also been lifting weights on his own and doing push-ups and core work in order to maintain his strength.
The junior hurler feels the sessions have been working.
“I think I’ve been able to do a fairly good job of keeping up my arm strength,” he said.
Christian is not only a top-flight pitcher, but can also swing the bat.
He came through with a .305 batting average and plated 11 runs during his sophomore campaign.
“I’ve been working on my hitting the best I can,” he said.
Hitting could be problematic for high school athletes if the 2020 season is able to begin.
“I think you’ll see a lot of low-scoring games at the start,” said Christian. “Hitters will not have seen live pitching, so I think pitchers will dominate in early games and have the upper hand.”
Although high school coaches from throughout the state are not permitted any contact with their athletes, they’re doing all they can to remain up-to-date with their teams.
“Coach (Nick Blake) has sent us some drills and all of us have things we can work on,” said Christian.
There is no question that spring sports are in jeopardy.
What about activities such as summer baseball and softball?
Christian plans on playing during the summer months with the Triple Crown Royals, a team that is based in Columbus.
The Royals are an independent team that plays in various tournaments throughout the summer months.
“We’re not part of any league,” said Christian. “We play in a number of tournaments because it gives players a lot of exposure to college coaches.”
Whether the summer season is conducted depends on if medical officials can get a strong handle on the pandemic.
Christian would also like to play baseball on the collegiate level.
That future could also be delayed by the virus.
The NCAA has allowed 2020 spring sports seniors an extra year of eligibity due to the season being canceled.
That could greatly impact the next couple of recruiting cycles.
This year’s seniors will return in 2021 if they choose and that will shift the needs among collegiate ball clubs for a year or two.
“Everybody is going to be held back a year,” said Christian. “I think that’s really going to hurt my 2021 class.”
The pandemic could also shake up what collegiate level of baseball some athletes play.
“All of this shifting could see a lot of guys who were looking at Division I go to the D-II or JUCO (junior college) route,” said Chrisitian.
The Monarch hurler already has his eye on a couple of Division I teams.
“So far, I’ve been in contact with Purdue and Eastern Michigan,” he said.