BVP has to wait to play in RILL
Pride were set to play in D-III
CUMBERLAND — In a perfect world, free of any coronavirus, quarantine or cancellation, Blackstone Valley Prep varsity baseball skipper Ed Laskowski at this very moment would be either reveling on a better-than-expected inaugural season in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Division III or pondering how he can improve his squad for the 2021 campaign.
Either way, he’d be satisfied, because he and his players really couldn’t lose. Play the games and win? Everyone obviously improves and develops confidence. Play them and lose? You discover your weaknesses and focus on making them better.
But COVID-19 has taken away both opportunities, and Laskowski and his boys naturally are crushed by this most unexpected defeat.
“Even late this winter, our guys were bouncing off the walls; everyone was so excited,” he recalled. “Most of my core players were underclassmen, but we thought we could make a run at the Division III playoffs because we had some talent coming back. We knew we were going to make the step up (from the Coastal Prep League, one in which the Pride did well annually), and we were thrilled.
“We knew we were going to play more games than we had before, and face more competitive teams,” he added. “We were also looking forward to, if we did make the postseason, being more involved in a more extravagant playoff system, not just play in a (CPL) championship game; obviously, there are quarterfinals, semis and finals, if not preliminary games. It only makes you better and more hungry.
“We also not only wanted to win ball games but also develop our program, be challenged by some of the bigger, better school teams from around the state,” he added. “When the governor made the announcement, we already had our pitchers and catchers report; we ended up having five practices before we had to pull the plug.
“Still, I will say I was impressed with what I saw in that short time. We had a lot of young guys, ad the most important thing for us to see some success would be to get our pitchers to throw strikes. I knew we had a solid defensive lineup, and that the top half of our lineup could hit the ball, that based on previous seasons.
“I thought, if we could get runners on base, we could make things happen. If we could do the little things right – laying down a bunt, advance guys, hit-and-run – we’d be able to stay in games and maybe pull them out.
“On that day (April 23), though, we knew it had ended.”
Laskowski admitted he had kept contact during the “postponements” following the initial school closing on Friday, May 13, sending e-mails and texts regarding what pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders should follow to remain conditioned, keep arms sharp and spirits high.
“I was proud of the kids because they did as they were asked; that’s why they were so bummed out about that final announcement,” he noted. “This was supposed to be our first season in a brand new league, and I feel so badly; we had such a small amount of seniors (including Areeb Farooqui and Zeric Gomes, would-be starting outfielders).
“It’s tough for those kids, of course, but the underclassmen, too. This is a whole season of baseball they’re missing. A lot of these kids are from different towns, so they probably won’t see each other to play together, even play catch.
“I have to say the team camaraderie among my players the last couple of years, it has been probably the most rewarding and positive of my coaching career, which goes back to South Kingstown High as an assistant in 2007.
“The thing is, we have a different program than what you see at other schools in that we get some kids who have never played a sport on a competitive level,” he continued. “We have to get kids to learn the game and start to play it well very quickly. Kids at other schools have much deeper backgrounds and experience in the sport.
“We used to get kids who were interested in learning how to play, but maybe hadn’t played a lot of organized ball, but that wasn’t starting to change here. I don’t think you can put the level of excitement into words, us climbing into D-III in the Interscholastic League. For me, it was a tremendous leap; you really can’t describe it.
“I couldn’t wait to get back into the RIIL, as – when I first started teaching – I was at South Kingstown, then the head coach at Curtis Corner Middle School for a couple of years … This was supposed to be a really exciting time for all of us; it’s so sad.
“Now we’re just looking forward to next year.”