A look at the recent history of the Elon University baseball team shows some national and conference success. From 2008 to 2010, the Phoenix made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. It captured the 2011 Southern Conference regular season title. But last season was a “down year” for the Phoenix, which did not qualify for postseason play despite finishing just one game out of first place in the SoCon
“If that’s a disappointment, we’ll be okay with that,” said head baseball coach Mike Kennedy. We want to get back to (NCAA Tournament) regional play, there’s no doubt about that.”
The Phoenix is striving to return to top form through a rigorous offseason conditioning program, which senior outfielder Niko Fraser called “among the best in the country.”
Kennedy stressed the importance of the offseason program.
“You’re getting yourself in playing shape,” he said. “A lot of these kids play in the summer, but not getting the necessary running on a day-in, day-out basis, the overall conditioning of the body that it takes to play at this level.”
Practice is daily, as well as weightlifting workouts and other team-bonding exercises such as meals together.
Fraser said his least favorite series of exercises is “full-out Friday”, which is more endurance-based than other days. His favorite day to condition is Wednesday.
“Wednesdays are agility days, getting off the block,” he said. “It’s very fitting for the kind of game that I play.”
For Fraser, this offseason program has special importance, as he is attempting to rebound from a season-ending concussion that forced him to miss about half of his junior season.
“I think having a conditioning program is essential to having a good program,” he said. “The season’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Fraser said that although his injury wasn’t muscular, he still values the conditioning.
“It definitely gets your confidence back up, gets your stamina up and I’m a firm believer that if you’re in shape, your brain’s gonna work well too,” he said.
Kennedy said he is especially looking forward to his return.
“For Niko, he’s excited to be back out here,” he said. “He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever coached, in every phase of the game. He doesn’t have different gears; he goes one speed all the time. He’s excited, he’s working extremely hard.”
On the other end of the spectrum, a new crop of freshmen is getting its first exposure to college baseball through the workouts. One of these freshmen, Tyler Manez, a pitcher from North Massapequa, N.Y. and 32nd round pick of the Houston Astros this year, is adjusting to the changes Division I baseball brings after turning down an opportunity to play professionally.
“We’re out here every day, lifting weights, conditioning, long tossing,” Manez said. “High school wasn’t like that. It’s hard. We’re always being tested. Just a ridiculous workout. In high school, we just ran the bases at the end of practice. It’s a new experience. Hopefully we can make it far and do our best.”
If Kennedy has his way, the 2013 Elon Phoenix baseball team will go far and do its best, and the strength and conditioning will go a long way toward reaching that goal. He said the conditioning is especially important in April and May, the later parts of the season.
“Everything we do centers around getting into the NCAA tournament and playing, so all these things factor in,” he said. “We could have all the skill in the world, but if we’re not in good shape, we’re not going to win ballgames. Our goal during this offseason is to really get them strong so their bodies can really withstand the long season — if you can do it, then I think you’re gonna see the level of play maintained at a higher level, therefore, you’re gonna win more games.”