There is nothing purer than the perfect swing of a baseball bat, but this is not a simple task and it takes years to obtain this ability. In years past, Guilford’s baseball and softball teams had a difficult time gaining the access needed to critique their skills and abilities due to outdated facilities.

This year, however, Guilford’s athletic department has come to the rescue by constructing the new Stuart Maynard Batting Center.

Since April 2010 the batting cages have been open for all players and the excitement is apparent. Senior outfielder Kyle Wooden doesn’t see a comparison between the old and new batting cages.

“There were so many holes in the cage it looked like Swiss cheese, and now we have the cage of a big time ACC or SEC program,” he said.

Senior pitcher David Thomson shares Wooden’s excitement about the new cages and also sees good things coming from a closer relationship with the softball team, also using the new facility.

“The sky is the limit now,” Thomson said.

Having new and spacious batting cages has other benefits that Black stressed.

“The new batting cages are awesome and the baseball team is very grateful to have them,” Black said. “They allow us not only to use it during practice, but also for extra work during inclement weather and during the night.”

“Oftentimes we will go more than three times a week because hitting is such an important part of the game,” senior outfielder Morgan Freyer said. “It helps to practice on the pitching machine and do soft-toss on a regular basis.”

This type of enthusiasm and work ethic has players chomping at the bit to get the season started.

“We are devoted to working hard, on the field and off the field this year in hopes of having an awesome season,” senior in-fielder Ami Hutcherson said.

The new facility seems to be fostering team unity between the baseball and softball teams.

“The location will be great in the spring because after we are done hitting we will be able to go watch the baseball games and support the team,” Freyer said.

The question is if the new cages are going to lead to more victories for both softball (28-12-1, 13-5 in the ODAC) and baseball (19-19-1 overall and 7-11 ODAC).

Black endorses cool confidence when addressing this issue.

“I like to keep everything about our team under the radar, so if anyone wants to know (how the team is doing), stop by practice or a game and find out,” Black said.

The softball team however is equally confident when addressing their expectations for this coming season.

“I think everyone can expect an improvement in our team,” Hutcherson said. “I think anytime you are practicing you are improving; and knowing that we are using the new cages I do believe the cages will improve the team’s performance.”

Both the softball and baseball teams start their seasons in February and expect to accomplish a lot this year.

“We will most definitely be a force to be reckoned with this year,” Freyer said.