New coach brings changes to baseball program

By Suzie Roth
Guest Writer

This year marks a new beginning for Nick Winecke, head baseball coach for Saint Mary’s University, as he enters a new phase in his baseball legacy.

A SMU graduate of 2007, Winecke became the new head coach for the SMU baseball team this year. In the last two years, he has made the transition from player to assistant coach and now to head coach.

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Describing his coaching style as “intense, passionate and demanding,” Winecke’s drive for success is evident. Although he may demand a lot from his players, he is also the first to acknowledge them when they are doing a good job.

While some may consider baseball to be a slow-paced sport, it is a very “demanding mental game, and each baseball player must be able to keep himself under control,” Winecke said. He described how the team works at being “one percent better” every day at every drill.

For some, coaching athletes they once played with may pose some problems, but not for Winecke. He said that for any relationship to work there has to be trust and respect, which he has from the team and former teammates.

With a new coach came the chance for a fresh start for the program. Winecke began by trying to change the culture of the baseball team. The team got new hats and is also taking a spring trip to Arizona for the first time. The motto of the team has also evolved. “Dominate, Don’t Participate,” turned into “Expect Victory,” representing what they do every day.

Adopting the new motto can be seen not only in the players’ attitudes, but also on their wrists. Each player has three different colored wristbands with the motto imprinted on them. Each color represents a different performance level. Following each practice, a decision is made on what type of practice the team had. The corresponding colored wristband is then worn that night and during the next practice. The team members, however, took it upon themselves to wear the band throughout the entire next day as well.

This year Winecke is most excited for the journey that the team has already started. He expects his team to “compete and work (their) butts off.” There is just “something about them,” he said, that makes this year a special one.

Along with a new head coach, the baseball team is eager to begin playing on their new fields. No longer will they have to practice on a soccer field or downtown in Winona. The Cardinals finally have a place to call home. Winecke expressed this as being “long time overdue; being able to practice on a baseball field is going to be a sight for sore eyes.”

The home opener will be held March 26 against Viterbo University.