The Viterbo University Baseball team has racked up the miles this year, traveling as far as Dickinson, N.D. (an 11-hour bus ride one way) to play conference matches. Relief pitcher John McMurray says that being gone a lot is tough. “Everyone’s tired, not sick of baseball but just physically tired. Because for me, I’d say playing is not even half the battle as sitting on the bus.” In addition to the fatigue is the fact that games are often moved on very short notice. McMurray brought up that many times the baseball team will find out that their games have been moved less than 24 hours before they’re supposed to play. “That’s part of baseball,” he says, “You have to be ready for it, because it’s not an excuse.” 

Many of the team’s “home” games have been changed to “away” due to La Crosse weather shifting between winter and spring temperatures. Other factors played a role, too, such as the weather threatening to pelt players with outrageous winds.  McMurray brought up that many times the baseball team will find out that their games have been moved less than 24 hours before they’re supposed to play. “That’s part of baseball,” he says, “You have to be ready for it, because it’s not an excuse.”  

There have been upsides to this year, even though the team has had to put on the extra miles. “It helps us get closer together. You’re on a bus with these guys for 8-10 hours, sometimes with ten-plus hours you really get to know each other,” says McMurray. He highlighted that the team, overall, has had more opportunities to interact and bond compared to last year with the strict COVID-19 restrictions. McMurray feels that because the team is closer knit, it helps keep the morale up when they play.  

Apart from relief pitching McMurray also plays a big part in getting the team energized. “Whenever the guys need hyping up a lot of times myself and Jacob Pence are the go-to. We try to bring a lot of energy and positivity.” With all their travels and the normal struggles that come with being a college athlete, McMurray and the team have been trying to keep a constant positive mindset. Managing schoolwork is a hard enough task by itself, but add into the mix being gone for anywhere between one and three days at a time, and that becomes a real challenge. “It makes it more difficult to stay up to date and stay up on your homework. It is possible though if you manage your time and communicate well,” admitted McMurray. He emphasized the importance of reaching out and working with his professors to stay up to date.  

Being gone has helped Viterbo’s athletes strengthen communication and time management skills to aid them in their everyday life.  Even though they were gone for the majority of their season, the team has made the best of their semester. With a promising first year class, Viterbo baseball has a bright future to look forward to. They prioritize staying positive and, more importantly, staying together when times get tough.