Spring Sports Report: Baseball Builds Culture

EUGENE, Ore. – With over 30 men taking the field for the first time together this fall, the Bushnell baseball team has certainly had their work cut out for them in building a successful team, and more importantly, a successful culture. 

Taking the practice field this fall for the first time in over 50 years, Head Coach Tommy Richards wanted to quickly establish a team that values feedback, optimism, collective responsibility, and discipline. “Winning starts in the locker room and is player-driven,” he said. “Our job as coaches is to make sure the right people are on the bus and fully equipped for a successful journey, but ultimately the players drive the thing.”

Creating that culture would be a challenge for a seasoned program, but a monumental task when there is no immediate history to draw upon. 

Richards said, “In normal circumstance you have a core of returning players who understand the team dynamic and can help impart the daily rhythms to the newcomers. We didn’t have that luxury, but our guys have done a great job of getting on the same page. We ask a lot of them on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom and through those daily efforts and struggles is where I think the culture is fostered.”

Internally dubbed the “Founding Fathers” launching the NAIA-era baseball program, the players are filled with a sense of pride to be part of something unique. According to Jacob Richardson, a freshman outfielder from Auburn, California, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not many people get to say they were the inaugural team of a sport. 

“The ‘Founding Fathers’ is more than just a fresh team of players, though. It is the beginning of a culture and setting standards that will be maintained throughout the lifetime of the program. In order for a program to be successful, it must have a foundation of integrity and hard work. That is something I believe every guy on our team brings to the table.”

Freshman Catcher Brandon Reed, from Salem, said, “Though it may be challenging, it is also a wonderful experience that we are all taking in stride, we are coming together as a team more each and every day.”

“It has been a humbling learning experience for all of us,” according to Junior Catcher and Olympia, Washington native Kyle Casperson. “We have great leaders on the team on each side of the ball. There are guys from all over, all ages, and all experience levels. It is awesome to watch all of us bounce ideas off each other and get better day in and day out.”

The team is also quick to recognize the hard work, passion, and dedication of the coaching staff that has assembled for the inaugural run. The coaches have established a player-first focus and are praised for sticking to that philosophy.  

Ethan Paulson, a junior pitcher from Encinitas, California said, “The coaching staff is so focused and dedicated to our development and this is the first time in a long time where I am genuinely excited to go to practice every day. It is rare to find such an invested group of coaches. 

“The coaches have been nothing short of amazing,” said junior first baseman Jeff Fripp, a native of Orange Park, Florida. “These guys are out there every day, rain or shine, trying to push us to be the best men on and off the field. They are great leaders and if we continue to learn and grow together then this group will be hard to beat.”

Peyton Hino, a freshman outfielder from Honolulu, Hawaii added, “This has been some of the best coaching I have had in my entire baseball career. The staff has been extremely supportive and disciplined when it comes to their player’s goals and how to achieve them.”

The inaugural NAIA baseball season is on the horizon for the Beacons, set to kick off with a four-game set at Simpson University on February 4-5. The home debut for Bushnell at the soon to be completed Hamlin Sports Complex is February 18th against none other than the closest CCC rival, Corban University. 

Junior pitcher Daniel Furman said, “I love the new-team feeling. We come in with a clean slate and get to create a program and a culture from the ground up. We get to create the foundation for years to come and I am excited to get on the field and get some wins.”

After 125 years of wisdom, faith, and service, Bushnell finds itself positioned for a season of campus development and programmatic expansion that will dramatically deepen our influence. To flourish, we must expand. To thrive, we must build. To serve, we must Venture Forward. 

One piece of that growth and programmatic expansion is the launch of the Bushnell baseball program and the creation of a stadium at the Hamlin Sports Complex. For more information on the capitol campaign and to donate, click below.