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By Ron P. Coderre
Is winning the measure of success in sports? How important are wins in the overall scheme of athletics?
These are question that are often debated when sports people get together for conversation. It’s possible that in professional sports, where teams play for huge purses, it certainly does hold high priority. In the college ranks, especially in NCAA Division I, where vying for a National Championship also brings in huge bucks, it’s a very important measure.
But talk to Charlie Kozey, first-year baseball coach at Woodstock Academy, and you’ll probably get a much different perspective on the answer to the all-important question of winning. Just a few short weeks ago the Academy baseball team completed its season, Kozey’s first as varsity coach, with a 4-16 record, yet Kozey feels that his players were the beneficiaries of numerous factors that equate to success.
Kozey believes that strong organization will build a winning tradition. Putting other factors besides winning and producing one sensational season aside, organization will in the long run create a tradition of winning baseball teams. With that formula in mind, Kozey is creating a system that reaches not only the varsity players but also the junior varsity and freshman teams. Developing fundamentals and a positive attitude will create a rotation of players that will continue to feed the system on an ongoing basis for many spring seasons to come at Woodstock Academy.
“We work on fundamentals, which is often viewed as boring but in my mind is a necessity for success. I try to instill the Centaur pride in all our players. If they play hard all the time it will produce individual and team dividends,” said Kozey.
Woodstock Academy is losing 10 players from the 2013 team. Lost to graduation are Tim Cutler, Jacob Rivard, Mike Thienel, Garrett Ponte, Josh Malboeuf, Matt Fielder, Cody Maiorino, Aaron Mol, Adam Naughton and Ian Converse. Despite this large number Kozey feels his system will produce improvement in the team’s record next year and as the years move on.
Employing the Kozey methodology, the Centaur coach is confident that by inculcating a teaching philosophy and blending players, the winning seasons will take care of themselves. Kozey utilizes his coaching staff so each player in the system gets as much individual work at their position and at the skills such as hitting as they need to become proficient.
“Our coaching staff meets year round. We send the players tips on how to improve their game physically and mentally. And we’re constantly evaluating each player to assure that they get the full benefit of the program,” said Kozey.
Looking forward to next season, Kozey can see his system falling into place. He has a good mix of players returning next season, as well as some players who missed this season due to injuries. Expected back in 2014 are catcher Colby Reggione, center fielder Ben Guimont, pitcher/infielder Benny Ross, 2nd baseman Brody Adams, 3rd baseman Sean Falvey and catcher/infielder J.P. Bergeron. Also expected to return after losing last season to injury are pitcher Wil Bourgeois and pitcher/outfielder Dan Murphy.
“I’m developing a simple coach’s study guide that each player will receive. In it they’ll find helpful hints on things to work on to improve their game. Hopefully by the time next season rolls around we’ll see the benefits of the system taking shape,” said Kozey.
Some of the things Kozey hopes to see happen next year or in the future is a short spring trip out of New England to either Maryland, Pennsylvania or New Jersey where the players and coaches can practice and play a few exhibition games to prepare for the regular schedule. He’s also trusting that the players will take a few minutes in their day to review some of the study guide tidbits. And finally he feels that thinking baseball on a regular basis will instill a winning attitude.
As a player at Woodstock, Kozey was one of the best to ever come out of the Academy. He’s been called by many one of the best detail oriented coaches in Connecticut. It’s now time for him to put his skills and experience to work for his teams, from the varsity level down to the freshmen. By making the Centaurs believers, he’ll also make them winners.