Courtney Van Haaften | Assistant Sports Editor

The Buena Vista University (BVU) baseball team has been hard at work during their fall season, which provides them the opportunity to practice as a team with their coaches to prepare for their official season in the spring.

The players are very busy throughout the week whether it be throwing, batting, weightlifting, or conditioning. They also do position-specific workouts. According to the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC), the team is allowed 10 practices with their coaches in the fall season. They will be having these practices until early October. They also have inter-squad scrimmages in order for newcomers to get accustomed to a new competition level and identify strengths and weaknesses of the team.

“We are fortunate to be able to spend time with our players to help their development,” Head Baseball Coach Steve Eddie said.

Because the IIAC limits the amount of contact coaches can have with the players, team members also get together on their own to improve and build their skills.

“All of our players have taken ownership of the program,” Eddie said.

The captains going into the season are seniors Griffin Hatten, Neil Eddie, and Ryan Scheetz.

“The fall season plays a big part in how we plan our regular season. Also, it’s nice to get to know the newcomers,” senior co-captain Neil Eddie said.

The team was the fifth-seed in the conference tournament last year. They have many strengths coming into the new season. “We will have experience and speed. We will also bring a good pitching staff and defense to the field, which will not give up many runs, giving us a chance to win every game we play,” junior Jon Ringblom said.

The Beavers, who are looking to improve their conference standing from last year, officially start in February. Until then, you will see all the athletes working to improve their games for the 2013 season.

Graphic by Keyla Sosa