Iola’s AA American Legion baseball squad features a number of talented performers, both at the plate and on the mound.
But the team’s biggest strength may be in what lies within, head coach John Taylor said.
“What I think makes this team really special is we have a bunch of kids that really care,” Taylor said. “They care about the game, they care about their teammates and it’s not all about themselves. We have kids that will sacrifice laying a bunt down and get out just to move runners and help their team.
“We don’t have selfish kids.”
The Indians will be in Topeka for the Senior Kansas American Legion Baseball Tournament, which begins Wednesday.
Iola will play at 3 p.m., prior to the opening ceremony. Pool play games continue Thursday and Friday. The tournament, which also includes older AAA Legion squads, wraps up next weekend. Pairings have not yet been announced.
Taylor and Iola’s players pointed to their pitching and defense. It helps when the Indians coaching staff has five different players Taylor is comfortable trotting out to the mound on any given day.
“Our pitching’s been pretty outstanding,” Taylor said. “We’ve actually got a couple kids who haven’t pitched in a couple years that had to step up because we lost so much from last year.”
The Indians squad consists of players from both Iola and Humboldt high schools.
Building team chemistry has been a vital component.
“I was worried, probably about mid-season, because some games we just weren’t coming together as a team, with the personality difference, and kids not knowing each other. But the last two weeks of the season, they’ve all come along and they’re playing better together.”
The pitching staff is anchored by TJ Taylor, Kaiden Barnett, Eli Smith, Nathan Louk and Trey Sommer.
“TJ and Kaiden have been pretty lights out when I put them on the mound,” Taylor said. “Eli, Nathan and Trey have been outstanding all year.”
In order for Iola to be successful at the state tournament, the Indians will need to loosen up and have fun, Taylor said.
“I tell the kids all the time that the most important thing we do is have fun when we step on this field,” he said. “Everything will come because they’re all really good baseball players. If they’re enjoying the game, we’re going to be successful.”
Taylor said he is fortunate enough to have a team where the players care about their teammates as well as the games, which takes a lot of weight off the coaches.
Not to be overlooked is Iola’’s improved hitting against offspeed pitches, Taylor continued.
