History has always played a role throughout baseball from youth leagues on up to the Major Leagues. Over the upcoming weeks, New England Baseball Journal will delve into some of the history of New England prep school baseball. The focus will be on individual programs and that one magical season that no one on the team can forget.
No team walks into a season announcing it will go undefeated. Coaches know better than to list a perfect season as being one of its primary goals. Such preconceived notions are so arduous, that no sane coach would ever put that kind of pressure onto his or her team.
In the spring of 2019, Suffield Academy's baseball team entered the season like everybody else. There were never any discussions of them going unbeaten. The team's ultimate priorities have always been about achieving a successful season, qualifying for the Western New England Prep Baseball League tournament and winning a league championship. Those objectives certainly appear more equitable and realistic.
But behind closed doors, Tigers head coach Bryan Brissette had a good premonition once the 2019 team converged in preparation for the season.