News photo by Josh Jambor Members of the Alpena Wildcats baseball team participate in batting practice on Wednesday at the Arthur Gillespie Gymnasium.

ALPENA – Spring has arrived and that means the Alpena Wildcats varsity baseball team is preparing for the start of a brand-new season. The Wildcats are coming off a solid season last year, finishing 19-11-1.

Unfortunately, the recent ice storm has reduced the number of practices the team would have had thus far. Alpena Head Coach Eric MacKenzie, who is entering his fourth season at the helm, said the situation has impacted his team.

“We have only really had a couple of practices together with the ice storm, but so far, I have been very happy with practice and the work ethic of the kids,” MacKenzie said. “They have shown up ready to work and put the work in to get better every day.”

Several players from last year’s team are back for the Wildcats, giving MacKenzie a roster full of experienced upper classmen.

“We have six seniors on this year’s team with 11 juniors and a sophomore, each player on this year’s team brings something to the team that will help us be successful this year,” MacKenzie said. “I am ready to see this team compete in every game.”

MacKenzie has been associated with Alpena baseball most of his life, largely due to the fact his father coached Alpena High School’s baseball team for over 30 years.

“I got into coaching here at Alpena High School, as I grew up in the program as my dad coached at Alpena High School for over 30 years,” MacKenzie explained. “I am an alum here and wanted to coach at the school in my hometown and give these kids the same opportunities I had.”

Coaching for the Wildcats is a dream fulfilled for MacKenzie and he said that he enjoys watching his players grow and develop good characters.

“I enjoy coaching at Alpena High School because of the kids, they have great attitudes, they work hard, and they are fun to be around,” MacKenzie said. “I look forward to practice every day and watching the kids make improvements.”

MacKenzie said he enjoys teaching his core values of the game to players and that he hopes to see his players progress towards graduation and hopefully play at the next level.

“Some of my core values as a coach is teaching these kids how to play the game the right way with sportsmanship, respect, and love of the game,” he said. “We respect each other, respect the game and respect our opponents.”

“We play for the name on the front of the jersey; we represent Alpena High School as well as the city and county of Alpena,” Mackenzie added. “Every time we step on the field, play hard, play the game the right way and play with respect.”

MacKenzie said he wants his players to compete and work hard.

“My expectations this year is for us to compete every day in practice, compete every day in games, work together as a team, and do the little things and we’ll have a good year,” MacKenzie said.

Alpena kicks off their 26th season at home game against Cadillac on April 7 at 4 p.m.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.