Team Spotlight - Varsity Baseball Team - April 2025

Written by Sarah Chen

This spring, the Avenues Varsity Baseball team has its eyes on one thing: finishing strong. After a season of ups and downs, the team is focused on showing up to every game with energy, grit, and a mindset to compete at their highest level.

Since the beginning of the season, the team has made noticeable progress—not just in execution, but in how they play together. Trust has grown, communication has sharpened, and the dugout vibe reflects a group of players who genuinely enjoy taking the field side by side. There’s a lightness to the way they carry themselves, even under pressure, that speaks to their connection as teammates.

Ethan Rivera, a senior and longtime contributor to the program, reflected on how meaningful it’s been to get back on the field this year. With several seasons under his belt and a strong presence on the team, Ethan brings both experience and talent to the lineup. For him, every inning is a reminder of why the sport matters—and how much it means to play alongside teammates who are also friends.

And while the action on the field speaks volumes, what happens off the field matters too. The team has built rituals that boost morale—like high-energy bus rides to games, music blasting, and plenty of laughs. These moments help set the tone and bring the team together before they even step onto the dirt.

One of the most unique parts of the program is the culture created by Coach K. After every practice and game, players take a moment to connect—literally—with eye contact, a handshake, and a personal check-in. It’s become part of the team’s identity and has strengthened their chemistry in real, lasting ways.

For students hoping to join varsity baseball in the future, players recommend working on the basics, especially pitching—and finding creative ways to train on your own. Commitment and consistency go a long way.

With strong leadership and an even stronger bond, this team isn’t just playing to win—they’re playing for each other. The season isn’t over yet, and the Aviators are ready to take flight.

1. What are the team's goal or expectations for the rest of the season?
   1. The team's main goal is to build the momentum and finish strong overall. Play every game like it's your last. We've had a bumpy start, but the mindset is there.
2. How has the team grown since the beginning of the season?
   1. As a team, we've definitely grown a lot, especially in communication and trust. At the end of the day, we're all a bunch of boys playing a game. Its good to be on a team where, winning or losing, we're still laughing and having fun.
3. What has been a highlight moment for you so far this year—on or off the field?
   1. Definitely getting back on the field for the first time in a year. It's always great to get back to playing the sport you love most, especially after not seeing it in a minute.
4. What's one thing people might not know about playing varsity baseball at Avenues?
   1. The bus rides there are always electric. I always blast my speaker, and, from multiple sources, I've got a pretty good playlist. Its a good way to boost team morale before the game.
5. Any players or coaches you want to shout out for their leadership or energy?
   1. Shoutout Coach K for bringing us together in a way that has not happened before. Before and after every practice or game, every player looks another in the eye, says their name, daps him up, and shows some love. Never have I had a coach that made us do that, and it really does work. Our team has a bond no one can break, and we strive off of it.
6. What advice would you give to younger players hoping to join the team one day?
   1. Consider pitching. And if you don't, make a box the size of a batter's box with tape against a random wall. Throw at least enough balls from 60 ft until you get 15 strikes. If you say you're a pitcher, we will automatically accept you.