If there is one thing that all teams share in common, it’s the desire to win. But for the Carl Hayden Falcons baseball team, winning isn’t the only goal.

For the Falcons, development and building a family is part of the team’s goal.

Not only is team development a focus for the group, but player development as well. This desire for the team to grow starts with Falcons head coach Jacob Greenberg. Greenberg described how in giving some of his younger players game experience last year, he hoped to see them develop as baseball players.

“Last year we had a lot of young players. We had seven or eight sophomores in the starting varsity lineup and I really wanted to give them a chance to develop and get them hooked on the team where they want to be four-year players,” Greenberg said.

The Falcons came into the new season after finishing with an overall record of 3-9 the year prior. Even though last year wasn’t the team’s best year, there were lessons the young team learned and are applying this season. For junior Freddy Aguilar, after last season, he has learned to finish the game and compete until the very end.

“My biggest takeaway from the season was to stay in it until the last inning. Until it is over, stay in it,” Aguilar said.

After last year, the team got to work immediately. With training in the summer and fall of 2021, the group hoped that their work and dedication would help them have a better season this year.

Coming into the season, the team was determined to rack up more wins than last year. Junior Luisangel Valdez described that even if they lose some games this season, it will just continue to push them and help them grow.

“Obviously everyones goal is to win. If we can’t complete that then we’ll try to win, we’ll get better, we’ll improve step by step. We’ll put in the effort every time and build a family,” Valdez said. 

In order to win this season, Carl Hayden has been working on their skills to get better and give them a competitive edge over their opponents. Aguilar highlighted that one thing that will help the team be successful this season is their defense.

“I think what makes us standout, when we have our full team, is honestly our defense. We’re a strong team defensively. We have strong guys at every single position,” Aguilar said.

One thing, however, that the team acknowledges can be a bump in the road is still COVID-19. Like other teams, the Falcons are taking the necessary protocols to limit the impact that the pandemic has on their season. 

Valdez described how COVID-19 could negatively impact the team's goals this season.

“COVID is a scary thing. If one of our players gets COVID, then the season is pretty much in jeopardy. We need to learn how to make protocols, keep safe, and play safe,” Valdez said.

The Falcons have started their season 1-1 and look forward to adding more to the win category.

No matter win, lose, or draw, Carl Hayden baseball gives players a chance to go out, have fun, and create a bond of family. For Greenberg, he described how coaching this team is the highlight of his days.

“On my best days teaching, this is what I look forward to at the end of the day and days when I’m teaching and am having a bad day, this is what I look forward to. It’s a great group of guys and win or lose, it’s always fun with them,” Greenberg said.

As this season goes on, the team is only going to grow and get better. No matter what happens this season, Aguilar wants everyone to know that this team is here to compete.

“I think our identity is a team that wants to compete and wants to win every game no matter what and that never gives up,” Aguilar said.