Prepping for baseball season

CEDAR RAPIDS — Baseball is like an addiction, once you start watching, you can't stop.

When the season is over, you can't wait for it to return.

Mindsets like this lead many teams to join spring baseball leagues. These games are less about wins and losses, and more about regaining mechanics for the season.

Prairie and Dubuque Hempstead played last weekend, with the Hawks sweeping a Saturday doubleheader. The Hawks secured Game 1 with an RBI single in the fourth by Ethan Copeland. Blake Viall entered in relief in the fourth, and was able to shut the Mustangs down the rest of the way.

Viall thinks spring baseball is a great way for players to get ready for the season.

'The biggest thing for pitchers is trying to find the strike zone and locating your pitches.' Viall said. 'Hitters are definitely helped by seeing pitches. You've got to find your strike zone to hit.'

Spring baseball is less intense than the regular season. This helps players to focus on just playing the game.

'I'm focused on trying to improve everyday,' Viall said. 'I don't really feel pressure right now.'

Prairie hopes to transition spring success into regular season success.

'We can't control the results, but we can control the effort we put in.' Viall said.