Incoming freshmen to be challenged, too
New players might have to compete against unexpected returners for starting roles
The NCAA Division I Council recently voted to give another year of eligibility for all spring-sport athletes, whose seasons were cut short by the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision was well-received, especially for the seniors who want to return for another season.
While logistics still need to be worked out by each program, what will the decision mean for incoming freshmen joining the program in the fall?
That’s the question facing Hickory catcher Zach Dzarnowski, Kellam outfielder Jordan Smith and Greenbrier Christian shortstop Nic Britt.
Dzarnowski is headed to the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Last season, he
batted .435 with 34 RBIs and was named secondteam All-Tidewater.
When he heard the news from the NCAA, he was happy for the athletes. But moments later, he thought about how it would affect his own situation.
The Retrievers already had 14 newcomers this season, including a handful of junior-college transfers. They were 3-10 when the season was canceled. Now they’ll return everyone, which will make for stiff competition next season.
“You got to work 10 times harder to get playing time,” said Dzarnowski, who also plays first base, third base and the outfield. “When I was younger, I was never the best guy on the team. So, I’m used to working harder.”
One concern he and other high school seniors have is that at least this season’s college players got some games under their belt before the season was canceled. High school players had few, if any.
“So, everybody is going to college without any at-bats,” he said.
He’s thankful at least he knows where he’s going to college.
“I can’t imagine being a senior trying to get recruited right now,” he said. “So at least I have that.”
Smith will play for
George Mason University. The Patriots were 1-14 when the season was canceled. They had 13 newcomers, including seven freshmen and six transfers.
Smith knows he must be ready for the competition.
“It’s obviously going to affect us because we’re going to have to compete against the seniors who come back,” said Smith, who batted .330 last season. “But I think it gives you something to push for a little bit more. It’s just going to help everybody, including the people coming in.”
Britt will play for William & Mary. The Tribe, which was 8-9 when the season ended, returned seven seniors, six juniors and welcomed 10 freshmen this season.
After he learned about the NCAA decision, Britt pulled up the Tribe’s roster to see who would be returning. He knows it’s going to be tough, but he vows to be ready to compete for a spot.
“I feel like with my athletic ability … I feel like I can find a spot on the field in the lineup,” said Britt, who last season hit .372 with 32 runs, 17 RBIs and 14 stolen bases and was named second-team All-Tidewater. “It’s just going to make me work harder.”