Leechburg baseball team still settling in
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Saturday, March 17, 2018 | 8:40 PM
Bob Oberdorf finds himself back in a familiar role as Leechburg's baseball coach after a three-year absence from the dugout, having coached the program for 37 years in his first stint.
But because of several circumstances, the preseason has brought some unfamiliar territory.
Oberdorf hasn't had a lot of time with his full roster because some members of the basketball team that finished a recent run to the state playoffs are just getting to baseball, and others missed practice because they were rehearsing for the school play, “Tarzan,” which was performed over the weekend.
That's left Oberdorf in the getting-to-know-you phase with many of his players as a new season approaches.
“It's put us pretty far behind,” Oberdorf said. “I didn't want any of the basketball guys practicing with us because I didn't want them to sprain an ankle or something and end up missing a playoff game. Last week was the first week that I've had them, and some of the guys in the play have had to miss time too, so hopefully after Sunday we'll have everyone here.”
Oberdorf is weighing his options for the lineup card because he's still in the evaluation process, but one thing is certain. He wants to instill the winning mentality that aided capturing 11 section titles during his first stint at Leechburg.
“Attitude is very important and so is the want to compete,” Oberdorf said. “I'm trying to get these guys to understand if they want to be competitive they have to put their minds to it. The basketball team is a very good example of that. Coach (Corey) Smith had those guys playing hard, they had a lot of success and they were enjoyable to watch. They played their hearts, out and that's something I want to see out of our (baseball) team.”
Leechburg suffered through some difficult times in recent years, averaging two wins per season since 2013, including a 2-13 campaign last year. The Blue Devils' last winning season came in 2011, when they went 10-7. It's also the last time they made the playoffs.
Oberdorf, a retired Leechburg middle school teacher, stepped down as coach because of health issues in 2014, but he said he's feeling good and is ready to help the team become more competitive.
With former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Mickey Morandini on the team, Oberdorf guided Leechburg to a WPIAL title game in 1983, where it lost to California.
Oberdorf watched many of Leechburg's games from the stands the last few years, and one thing he wants to see his team do is limit errors in the field. Stations have been set up at practice in the gym to help with the fundamental aspects of the game.
“In the past, it was easier because when new kids came in, I had guys who had been there for two or three years and they knew the routines and what we expected of them,” Oberdorf said. “That's not the case this year. I'm starting from scratch even with the older kids.”
Leechburg plays in Section 1-A with St. Joseph, Eden Christian, Union, Springdale and Vincentian Academy. The Blue Devils tied for last with St. Joseph last year, and they split their season series with the Spartans for their lone section win.
Jerin Steele is a freelance writer.
Tags: Leechburg
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