By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

WEARE - There's a new commander giving orders to the Generals of John Stark's varsity baseball team. Tops on this skipper's list of priorities for 2005 is to put his boys through a season's worth of basic training - hardball style.

"My goal is to make this into a baseball program," said first-year JS head coach Jay Wood before a preseason scrimmage at Hopkinton High School in early April. "I'm here to instill discipline and good baseball fundamentals. These kids have a good base. As soon as we get the fundamentals down, everything should take care of itself."

In 2004, Stark went 5-13 in Class I competition. But if the Generals are going to build a winning tradition on the diamond, there's only one way to do it, Wood said.

Straight to the point, Wood said if the team is going to consistently win, players must first understand the core component of his teaching philosophy.

"I'm not going to give in and I'm not going to give much leeway," Wood said. "I expect things to be done a certain way. I can be firm and fair, and the kids have responded well to it."

Following an 8-0 season-opening loss at Hollis/Brookline, the Generals split their next two contests . a 5-4 loss to Pembroke Academy on Friday, April 15, and an 11-7 triumph at Coe- Brown Northwood Academy on Monday, April 18.

Considering JS returns just three players from last season's varsity squad, a 1-2 record through Tuesday, April 19, isn.t awful.

"The amount of varsity experience on the team is minimal," said Wood, whose varsity veterans include seniors Bill Clarke, co-captain Ian Mazerski and Adam Trask. "But that's how we learn."

In particular, familiarity with the speed of Class I baseball - specifically the pitching - and "situational alertness" are two key areas that could be tough for Stark's players to grasp without an adequate amount of game experience, Wood said.

Still, the head coach isn.t concerned. He envisions his players making the necessary adjustments if they can remain mentally tough as the team goes through the ups and downs associated with the maturation process.

"We've talked about having that bulldog mentality where you take care of your own," Wood said. "That means when times get tough, you hang through it. And when the going is good, you look like you've been there before."

Along with Mazerski, Clarke and Trask, the JS roster includes senior Matt Meeden, plus juniors Denny Goyette, Ian Talbot and co-captain Jim Thomas.

The underclassmen are sophomores Jason Griswold, Brendan Kurylo and Tommy Trask, along with freshmen Ben Titcomb, Matt Vincent and Kris Vincent. Wood's staff includes assistant coaches Tom Johnson and Jeremy Lindh. The team manager is Adam Koppel.

Wood wouldn't make any predictions for the '05 campaign. But he did promise every member of the team would do his best to help set a solid foundation for Stark baseball.

"I just want to see these guys go out and play sound baseball," said Wood, whose Generals were scheduled to host Bishop Brady of Concord on Wednesday, April 20. "We're looking to be competitive and get some respect for this program."