MORGANTOWN — Three days is all the West Virginia Black Bears coaching staff had to mingle with the team before they took on Mahoning Valley during Thursday’s season opener.
With players coming from all over the country, just days after some finished their college seasons, there are many personalities, play styles and philosophies coming into a single clubhouse at one time.
For manager Jedd Gyorko, the MLB Draft League, in its second season, is more about getting players professional contracts more than it is about winning. With that comes a lot of teaching and knowing not every player is the same, which is difficult without a preseason training regiment.
“We have to take all of these kids, guide them and lead them and hold them in our hands most of the way,” Gyorko said. “We want to make them successful and there’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. That’s why I give a lot of credit to my assistant coaches. That’s where they do most of the work — they’re in the bullpen, they’re in the cages. I can’t do it all myself so I put a lot of trust in these guys.”
One of the biggest challenges lies with pitching coach Justin Thomas, inheriting players who are being taught different philosophies within their college programs.
Thomas, the head coach at Bethany College, knows not every pitcher is the same — some throw heat while others throw the kitchen sink. Figuring out what works best for certain players is all a part of being a coach.
“You can’t coach them all the same way,” Thomas said. “Relievers are going to be different from your starters. One young man might say, ‘Hey, I need to learn a changeup,’ and another guy might be like, ‘I need to work on my arm path.’ For me, the biggest thing is remembering what this guy said he wants to work on while he’s playing catch.
“Regardless, my philosophy is for guys to throw strikes. I know that’s simple, but that’s what I need these guys to do before anything.”
Hitting coach Jimmy Galusky is also taking a simple approach in his new position.
“I just want to help guys when I can,” he said. “I want to take that experience I had as a player and see what I can do to help.”
The Black Bears will play their first four games on the road through Sunday at Mahoning Valley, followed by an off day Monday, before the home opener Tuesday against Frederick at Mon County Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
