Talking Baseball With Head Baseball Coach, Casey Reed

Photo Owned By: Lima Senior Baseball

After having the opportunity to have a conversation with head baseball coach Casey Reed, it was clear what the program's goals were during the off-season and how it's translated into the Spartan's 2023 season. Here's a look at the questions asked during the interview.

What were some of the program's main focuses this past off-season?

"The main focus for us was to just get stronger in as many aspects as possible. We really wanted to complement a strong throwing program in the fall for those athletes, not in a fall; sport, and then hammer the weight room in the winter. As always academics are of the utmost importance and as we get ready to begin the season I feel like we did a pretty good job of getting stronger as a program." - Coach Reed

After a tough tournament loss where the team led through 3 innings thanks to 2 scoreless innings pitched by Sophmore Brandon Griffith, What are some expectations from the team to be able to bounce back and compete at that level throughout this year?

"I would say that the tournament game summed up our season. We were close in a lot of our games but didn't have the experience or ability to close out games. That has become a priority this year. Closing out games. The true expectations are that we have a ton of guys returning with varsity experience and it's time for them to show up. Still lots of guys who need to prove themselves but we are expecting them to step up and create a more well rounded and complete baseball team." - Coach Reed

What are you looking for from the program in this last year of competition in the TRAC?

"Obviously as a coach you want to win games especially when you are in the last year of a league. But hinestly it's a bittersweet time. We are sad to see the TRAC go as I truly believe it is one of the best baseball leagues in the state with the best coaches, many of whom have been ectremely supportive of our program over the years. It truly prepares our program to compete at the highest level and find success in our local area. But the biggest thing for me as a coach is that when we show up nigh in and night out that we compete. Play our game with a chip on our shoulders and a Lima vs Everyone mentality." - Coach Reed

With graduating 4 starters and 3 of them all contributing innings on the mound throughout their highschool campaigns, who will be some of the guys you look to this year to step up and fill those leadership positions? And will this be a season where there will be a lot of guys playing 2-ways?

"We actually had a conversation about how we were going to lead. It's truly a team approach to leadership. Holfing everyone accountable to do their job. Expect that the guy nect to you is going to do his and just do you. Lead by actions. No one person needs to be "that guy" but just making sure that we demand the absolute best from each one of us when we step between the lines. Mediocrity is no longer accebtable. With the way the roster is setting up the guys are going to have to produce or it's next man up. I've been very pleased with the effort so far from the guys." - Coach Reed

The Spartans will wrap up their regular season this Friday (5/12) against Perry and will play Sylvania Northview in the first round of the tournament. Best of luck to the Spartans during the remainder of their season!