If there are four words that can be used to describe the Ashland Oredockers baseball program in any given season, they might be: “Tough every single year.” And so it is again, as the 2024 version of the ‘Dockers appear to be long on youth matched with talent that WBCA Hall of Fame member Chris Kempf, head coach of the Oredockers, hopes to bring along as the season unfolds. The Ashland Daily Press caught up with Kempf to discuss his team, currently 1-2 in the Heart ‘O North Conference, as it stands presently … and where it can go from here.
Question: The season is just beginning, of course. Please describe how long it takes for teams to find their stride and hit close to peak form — and what might peak form look like with this team?
Answer: I believe that good teams find their stride around midseason.Every coach would like their best ball to be played at the end of the season and through the playoffs. For our young team this year, peak would look like an all around balanced effort. Very few mistakes on defense, capitalizing on the opponents mistakes, key situational hitting, and efficient work on the mound by the pitchers.
Q: Speaking of strong play ... please describe what the strengths of the team are, and what might be the areas of improvement?
A: So far our strength has been our pitching. We still have a couple of arms that we haven’t tested yet, but the work they have been doing in the bullpen has been promising. We have had very few walks in the past four games which tells me they are hitting the strike zone, if not striking out batters. At least allowing our defense to make a play. We have already improved significantly at the plate. Our hitters are figuring out how to take the ball where it is pitched instead of trying to pull the ball. Defense is going to be suspect for a while because of the inability to get outdoors and onto a playing field. The mistakes that are being made will be corrected and will work themselves out when we get more reps and situational work outside. Right now our defense has made it tough on our pitchers because every extra out costs us a higher pitch count.
Q: Please describe who may emerge as the teams to beat in the HON, and where you’re at?
A: Hayward and Northwestern will be the teams to beat. It is a pretty even conference so far. I don’t even count us out of the running yet. Every team has been beaten and if we can go on a run good things can happen.
Q: Please describe who you are counting on to lead the way, and who is emerging as a pleasant surprise, perhaps?
A: We only have three returning from last year’s sectional qualifying team. We have All-Conference players Michael Zunker and Jake Neff returning and will provide the leadership for the young, inexperienced players. We have a number of players who will develop as the year progresses.
Q: Please describe the adjustment of moving indoors to outdoors ….
A: Being outside in the elements is crucial. Unfortunately, when we do get outside, we don’t have a practice field to play on. Having to schedule around Northland College’s baseball schedule, and waiting for the other field to dry up puts us behind other teams, but we find a way to compete every game. All of the credit goes to the players and their ability to battle through a tough situation.
The Oredockers resumed action on April 18 at Cameron in a matchup which ended after deadline.
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