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We sat down with Southwest Randolph’s Head Coach Tyler Clapp to discuss the past several weeks without baseball and what’s in store for the rest of 2020. Find out more below..
What have you told or explained to your guys about the upcoming weeks?
It was one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had to have with my players. The unknown is the biggest thing, I tried to be very upfront and honest with them but not to have any real solid answers for their questions was the hardest thing. I have 11 Seniors and 19 total guys that their future is a big question mark! The hardest part is for the 11 seniors who this could be it for them, they understand that life goes on and they all have bright futures ahead of them but the possibility of something they love being taken from them is hard. I think if I were in their shoes, I would have a really hard time with it!
How have you tried to keep them prepared?
I basically told my guys its business like normal for them. The only difference is that we cannot have an organized practice, but for them to be prepared one way or another they have to continue to work and stay with the process we have been working for the last 10 years here at SWRHS.
What is take on all of this in high school sports?
I think High School sports is a huge outlet for students now and has always been. I can remember back to when I was in school and most of my memories are from sports. It’s hard to think that this could be it for all these kids not only here at SWRHS but across the state or better yet the country! Some kids come to school for nothing but sports and it’s a way to keep some on the straight and narrow.
Do you personally think the season with resume?
I have a hard time believing that we won’t be allowed to get back on the field but in reality Collegiate sports have been cancelled, professional sports have been cancelled or postponed, so deep down I hate to admit it but I think the NCHSAA will follow suit. Hopefully I’m 100% wrong on that but I have told my guys this is a strong possibility to prepare them for the worst. I think lying to kids would be worse than giving them the information we have and what we know so they can prepare in their own way for whatever happens!
What was it like playing the “last game”?
If Friday night was it for this year I think our coaching staff did what we could to make it memorable for all of our seniors! We had a really tough time but we played all 11 seniors in one game which if anyone has coached they know figuring out how to insert 11 kids in a lineup and still win is very tough thing to do. Thankfully my team understood what was going on and not one kid was upset they didn’t get to play and they cheered their senior teammates on the whole game because they knew what could be at stake!
That to me says a lot about the type of kids we have here at SWRHS, for 10 years we have tried to do things the right way and what’s best for our kids and our program and it made me as a coach proud to see what transpired! A few people know this so i’ll put it completely out there for everyone, if Friday night was it for our team I understand exactly how my kids feel because it will be the last time I coach as well and it hurts. The only difference is I’m a grown man, I’ve had my share of athletics and my eligibility is over because of time, they are kids and their eligibility might be over because of a virus that is what hurts the most!
