After a short summer, returning baseball players found out they had a new coach. Little did they know the baseball team would be in for drastic changes.

Coach Brian Larsen came to Krop. Larsen was a successful assistant coach for American Heritage High. He transferred to Krop and became head coach.

With Larsen came his rules. Now all players have to attend school well-groomed with their shirts tucked in. “It’s all about changing the team’s image,” he said. “I came to this school and saw that returning players had long hair and scruffy faces. Their appearances should reflect that they are part of an organization, just as if they were employees.”

Although baseball season does not until spring, Larsen requires returning players to train with him during the fall season. Three days a week students lift weights following a one-hour study hall. Tuesdays and Thursdays they have baseball class.

“Team building and team chemistry are just as important as playing skills, and that is what I stress in baseball class,” Larsen said. “The team won’t be as successful if they aren’t true teammates.”

Sophomore Garret Wittels agrees with Larsen and believes the changes will make a positive difference. “I like it better this year because I definitely think we will win more games,” he said. “Now we’re going to play for each other, not just for ourselves.”

Junior Updiks Campbell enjoys the baseball classes because it brings the team together and makes them strive to win. “Since the classes, the team chemistry is better, and we’re playing as one,” he said. “Now we have a desire to win.”

Having a stricter coach helps shape the team. “Larsen is tough on us but everybody has a better work ethic,” junior Kerlyn Soria said. “I’ll admit baseball is intense this year, but we are only building a better character for the team,” said senior Michael Marcus.

It is only the beginning of the winter season and the adjustments for the baseball team have already shown improvement. “With continuous hard work, there’s no reason why we won’t be successful,” Larsen said. “Right now we’re good and with time we’ll be even better.”