Rebuilding Streaks Eye New Direction

The quote from baseball legend Satchel Paige hangs just outside Sebring coach Hoppy Rewis' office.

"Don't look back, someone might be gainin' on you."

That statement has an especially deep meaning this year for the Blue Streak baseball team, which is trying to rebuild a roster after venturing deep into the playoffs the previous two seasons.

The other teams in Class 4A-District 10 look to be on an upswing, and Rewis knows he'll need to count on newcomers maturing quickly if Sebring is to maintain its impressive postseason streak in '09.

"We've had a habit lately of starting off the season weak and peaking at the end of the year," Rewis said. "The boys have been working really hard but it's a different team every year and we know we'll be challenged. We're still trying to find the right mixture of players and you always hope that the young kids will progress quickly.

"I expect us to find our niche by spring break."

Gone are standouts Adam Simmons, Cory Watt and Tony Vazquez and eight other seniors who helped lead the Streaks to the Class 4A regional finals against Riverdale last season, and in pops a new crop of ballplayers Rewis and his staff are still trying to sort through.

"We'll use the next few weeks to round out our lineup and see who rises to the top," Rewis said. "But pitching is still going to be the key for us. We don't have that sure-fire ace on the staff, so we're going to have to really utilize the preseason to test some arms."

Senior Cody Higgins is the proven commodity for the Streaks on the mound, while Dustin Lang has the tools to be a solid starter.

After that, the rotation is wide open.

Higgins went 4-1 with 45 strikeouts on the mound last season for the Streaks and he's still penciled in as the leadoff hitter who sets the tone for the offense: He batted .351 with two homers and 20 RBI while playing solid defense at shortstop last spring.

Along with Higgins, outfielder and football standout Gus Williams will be needed to provide leadership in the clubhouse, while providing stability in the field and at the plate.

"We're a really young team with a lot of enthusiasm," Williams said. "I know we'd like to repeat the focus we had as a team last year.

"It's a lot of fun with all the new faces, and this is just another step in us getting better as a team."

Along with Williams in the outfield will be Evan Lewis, who is as speedy as they come on the bases, but Rewis was quick to remind him of some old advice during practice.

"I told him that you can't steal first base," said Rewis. "We've got to get some consistency at the plate and then we can go for broke."

Rewis doesn't normally show nervousness when talking about his team, but he has reason to feel anxiety when looking at his '09 roster.

"There are a lot of new faces around here and you never know how they'll perform," said the SHS skipper. "I know I'll be nervous in close games and wonder how they'll react when the game's on the line."

Newcomers like Kyle Hofner, Jesse Baker and Riley McKinna are the new crop that has a chance to maintain the path of excellence previous teams have shown, and all are looking forward to forming their own identity.

"We're just trying to fit in and get ready for the season," Baker said. "Everything else will take care of itself if we work hard and are all playing as a team."

The Streaks opened their preseason on Thursday against Clewiston (see Saturday's paper for complete coverage). Sebring is back on the field tonight when they face Pasco in the second day of the Avon Park First Pitch Classic at Head Field. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.

SEBRING BASEBALL

Upcoming Schedule

TODAY vs. Pasco at Head Field,

5 p.m.

MONDAY vs. Lake Region at Bill Jarrett Early Bird Tourney in AP,

7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY vs. Lake Placid Region at Bill Jarrett Early Bird Tourney in AP, 7 p.m.

FEB. 24 at Palmetto, 7 p.m.

FEB. 26 vs. Bartow, 7 p.m.