Spring break: nine days of freedom or nine days of extra hours at work for most. For spring athletes, though, this is not the case. 

Softball and baseball have mandatory practice. 

“Spring break is when we get to see everything come together,” senior softball player Charlie Ayalla said. “We really focus on scrimmaging and playing as a team in our morning practices.”

In 2023, KSHSAA allowed for three more baseball games. This led to coaches scheduling games over the final days of spring break. 

“Playing over spring break is definitely an advantage, but it means we have to be prepared as early as possible,” senior Hudson Halstead said. 

Practices before the spring break games are 3-4 hours of drills and scrimmages. 

“Last year’s first scrimmage was so cold,” sophomore Connor Burget said. “I get we live in Kansas, and that’s how it is sometimes, but I do not mess with the cold.”

In the past, the baseball team would participate in intrasquad scrimmages over the week of spring break. Coaches tried to make it fun and exciting for the players. 

Players would be sent what team they were on, then they would find out the theme they were given for each game. Each team would dress like the theme while battling it out on the field with their buddies. 

“Spring break can be a long stretch. Guys are thinking about vacations or March Madness,” former baseball coach Jarrod Foster said. “The themed games were a way to break that up and bring energy to those long days. When you make something competitive and fun, the players buy in and connect. Players may not remember a random Tuesday practice in March, but they remember themed intersquad.” 

Spring sports would usually have around three weeks of practice before playing at all. 

Now the team gets not even two full weeks of practice before the first game, taking the “fun” out of the practice. 

The girls soccer teams hold mandatory practices for everyone that is not out of town. This gives a little leeway for them, but still stricter than some sports. 

Unlike the baseball and softball teams, track and field, boys tennis and girls swim and dive hold optional practice.

Some athletes go on vacation with these optional practices, but some feel they need to be there. 

“I feel like coaches say practice is optional, but they still expect you to be there because it shows your commitment and dedication to the sport,” senior tennis player Jayce Johnson said.