Beverly Hills

Three of a kind

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Trio of seniors has been starring for Groves baseball team since 2006

BEVERLY HILLS — Beverly Hills Groves baseball coach Jim Crosby remembers their first year with the varsity club and his decision to keep them on the team, despite their youth.

Most of all, he remembers how easy that decision really was.

It’s not every day that a coach, of any sport, will keep three freshmen on the varsity squad, let alone thrust them into a starting spot from day one. But that’s exactly what Crosby did in the spring of 2006 with Jamey Sackett, Josh Smith and Brad Seid.

That decision, though admittedly an easy one in his mind, is still paying off.

Sackett, Smith and Seid never relinquished those starting spots. While each guy has switched positions once or twice during their four-year tenure with the varsity squad, they’ve been the constant backbone of a program that has gone 85-32 in their stay, including a 17-8 record at press time this season.

“It’s been nice having guys like that carry us for as many years as they have,” Crosby said. “From day one, they have been real solid players that come to the field ready to go. It’s been a fun four years for me watching and coaching them.”

So why did he roll the dice a bit back in 2006, entrusting a third of his starting lineup to kids still less than a year removed from middle school baseball?

“They left me no choice,” Crosby laughed. “I knew all three of them coming into the season, and they had all played baseball at a pretty high level the summer before. It just so happened we had openings at their spots, and they were the best three guys for the job.”

That 85-32 record the trio has guided Groves to includes a district title in 2007, and Oakland Activities Association Division II titles in 2006 and 2007.

“There are times it seems like yesterday we were just freshmen trying to find our place on the team,” said Smith, who has started at second base and shortstop during his tenure. “It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing this for four seasons now.”

“It’s like you never really think senior year will get here,” said Sackett, who has played catcher and outfield. “Now we’re down to our final games.”

As each player talked, they remained humble while proud of the careers they’ve put forth.

“It’s been a lot of fun, no doubt about that,” said Seid, a third baseman. “We’ve also been pretty fortunate. There were some older guys here when we arrived that showed us the ropes and guided us as freshmen. We had a lot of responsibilities, but we certainly had guys helping us out and preparing us.”

As they have been throughout most of their prep careers, the three are once again near the top of the team in most statistical categories. While Crosby didn’t have everything totaled, Seid was leading the team with a .460 batting average, while Smith was hitting .345 and Sackett .340 to go along with a team-best 25 walks and 27 stolen bases.

“They’re great guys, kids that love the game of baseball,” Crosby said.

When asked to speculate about what next year will be like without those three familiar faces, he took a deep breath and said, “It’s going to be weird.”

At the same time, he knows the mark they will leave on the program won’t cease to exist whenever the 2009 season officially ends.

“The truth is, they’ve been such great mentors the past few years,” he added. “They’ve helped some of our younger guys get ready to step into more serious roles next season.

They’re going to be graduated and moved on, but their contribution to this program isn’t going to stop anytime soon.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.