It is unfortunate that a defending championship team of any sport can come across a few – possibly more – bumps in the road in an effort to defend their title.

Waterford High School’s Lancers baseball team – which won last year’s ECC and Class L State tournament – just found out its 2020 season is postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But Lancers head coach Art Peluso is looking to keep his players in shape for whatever the future holds for them, and to not let the coronavirus derail their true potential.

Peluso is determined to see his players get out on the baseball diamond and compete as soon as possible. Coaching a team that won the 2017 state tournament in addition to last year’s victorious campaign, he strongly admires his players’ work ethic and dedication shown during the off-season – even if it may result in not being able to play a season of baseball.

“I believe the players would have welcomed the opportunity to prove themselves on the field,” Peluso said. “I am very fortunate to be able to coach student-athletes who put in a great deal of time to make themselves better when no one is watching. I believe that given the opportunity, they will prove how good they truly are.

“On a selfish note,” he continued, “I really want to watch them play. I believe they are one of the best teams in the state and given the opportunity or chance to play, they will prove it.”

In the meantime, Peluso is instructing his players that they train at home, and do whatever they can to stay in shape – as long as they maintain their social distancing. He believes there is always a way for anyone to find the right, proper conditioning at home. “There’s always something – if you want it bad enough, you can find a way to get yourself better,” Peluso said. “Shooting baskets in your yard if you got a basketball hoop – not baseball related, but it will keep you in shape; do that a half an hour a day and see what happens. Everybody can play catch with a sibling or a parent, take a jog, take a walk, and take a bike ride, and I see some of the kids doing that through town.

“They’re social distancing, but they’re doing the work, so that makes me happy that they’re not going to come back completely out of shape.”

Despite the pandemic taking a toll on student-athletes everywhere, Peluso – while expressing sympathy for them – gives his players words of wisdom and encouragement, as they have yet to experience the worst encounters in life.

“I feel awful for the kids, because they put in so much time and it’s just unfair to them, unfortunately,” Peluso said. “But I try to tell them that if this is the worst thing that’s going to happen to them in their lives, they’re way ahead of the game.

“Just keep everything in perspective, and count your blessings. They’re good kids; they’re really good kids, so I don’t worry about them moving forward.”

Although times are difficult for student-athletes – including the Lancers baseball team, head coach Art Peluso reminds his troops that they are still baseball players, and that they are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to train and condition at home to remain in shape for the sport that they love.

Andrew Hubschman is a student at Mitchell College and Times intern.