Interview with Tyler Green
By: Hunter Ridge
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Hunter: What were your expectations for this year?

Tyler: Being a freshman I didn’t really know what to expect other than that our conference was really tough. Honestly,  I just wanted to come in and contribute and find ways to help my team win. I started off a little slow but really got it going about 1/3 of the way through the season.

Hunter: What did you do to prepare for the season during COVID?

Tyler: I really didn’t have a pre-season because my basketball team made a State Championship run this year.  I actually missed the first 2 baseball  games of our season because of it.  I was in to the cage after basketball practice, before school and sometimes even at lunch when I was allowed.  Our school was pretty strict with all the COVID rules, so finding time and space outside of team practice was tough.

Hunter: How were practices different with all the protocols?

Tyler: Playing ball with a mask on still just feels weird and I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it.  Other than masks, just being spaced out all the time was tough.  I like to cut up a little and have a good time with the guys.  I can’t remember how many times I was told to spread out or got in trouble for being closer than 6 feet.

Hunter: What were you most excited for this season?

Tyler: Getting a chance to compete against some of the top guys in the state.  Our conference is loaded and  just about every team has several committed guys on their roster.  I was anxious about seeing how I stacked up and getting to face some really good pitching.   It was also pretty cool to see how different coaches would pitch to me.  When you play the same team twice in a row, you start to pick up on what their plan is for you and how they want to pitch you.  Picking up on stuff like that and getting more into the strategy of the game is always exciting to me.

Hunter: What’s ONE word that can describe your team?

Tyler: Outgoing.  We have a lot of guys with big personalities on our team.  We’ve got 16 seniors on our roster and knowing this was their last season, our dugout has been pretty crazy.  There’s been a few times where I have been in the outfield and had to put my glove over my face because I was laughing so hard.

Hunter: What was your favorite thing about school ball?

Tyler: That one’s easy.  Having fans in the stands and getting to play in front of your friends.  Summer ball is really fun too but usually its pretty quiet and mostly just parents in the stands.  Having the student section yelling for you and your teammates is just way more cool. I even like the atmosphere at away games when you know everybody is pulling against you.  I think this baseball season it was even more important than normal to have fans in the stands.  We had really good seasons in football and basketball, but it just didn’t feel right when there wasn’t anybody there to be a part of it.