The 8th Grade Baseball Team of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish received runner-up in the semi championship finals and won first place in their division. This team includes many boys who play on other summer travel baseball teams with talents shining in different areas. But these players all share one goal: to have lots of fun.

“If we win, that’s great but having fun is the number one priority,” says Jack Kowal, head coach of this talented team, better known as “The Eagles.” Kowal has coached the Eagles for the last two years. The boys not only like Coach Kowal but also respect his knowledge of the game. He never has to raise his voice to get a player to listen, he rotates everyone into different positions in order to learn new techniques, and everyone gets decent playing time.

“He made me want to work at getting better and always encouraged me to play at my best potential,” says A.J. Kavanaugh, one of the 12 Eagle players.

Everyone on the team and in the stands knows Kowal’s style of coaching and main philosophy, and they believe in him. “I always look forward to going to the games because they are relaxing,” says Colleen Mockbee, a parent from the team, adding, “Jack (Coach Kowal) sets the tone for this by not showing any intensity.”

Coach Kowal recommends a book which reflects his easygoing spirit: Start ’Em Right…Keep ’Em Playing: Skills, Drills, and Strategies for Coaching Young Ball Players by Michael J. Schmidt. “This book put my philosophy down on paper,” Kowal says. “All kids ever want is the chance to show what they have. They don’t complain or cause problems as long as they have their chance.”

Ironically, for a team intended to have fun, it sure did perform well. The Holy Spirit team has never won its division until this year.

Pictured ABOVE from left to right are as follows: Assistant Coach, Bruce Rulman, Matt Irick, Anthony Myren (back), Aaman Donahue, Jacob Kowal (back), Justin Striebel, A.J. Kavanaugh, Dave Cordell (Assistant Coach), Steven Mockbee, Jonathon Cordell (in front), Connor Rulman, Matt Hobson, Sean Clancy (back), Kyle Ray, Head Coach Jack Kowal (back), Evan Goss. (Not pictured is Assistant Coach Kevin Clancy and players Patrick Gibbons and Eric Gutrich)

Pictured BELOW shows the Eagles having some fun.

Popularity: 3% [?]