Many seniors joined new sports teams this school year. Joining late can bring unexpected benefits.

The baseball team needed more players this year in order to field both the JV and varsity teams.

“[Coach Todd] Butler and I had to come up with something,” Athletic Director Ryan Peters said. “I did not want to scrap the JV team…That would just be taking away from the athletes who want to [compete].”

Two seniors who heard of the need volunteered to play.

Playing a new sport allows students to spend time with friends.

“My motivation is being able to spend time with friends and trying new things,” said senior Adam Wexler, who was one of the new senior baseball players . “Senior year is about having fun and making memories that last you a lifetime. Playing baseball has given me a chance to make additional memories and friendships with my teammates.”

“I have always loved running and decided to run cross country after my friend Josh Friedman convinced me to do it,” said senior Maya Spector, who started cross country her senior year.

“I knew I was going to be running at home anyway,” Spector said, “…and I thought I would have a lot more fun running with a team than running by myself.”

Some seniors found the practices motivating.

“Running when it was cold out or rainy was one thing I really disliked,” Spector continued. “I ended up really enjoying myself and am still really good friends with many people on the team.”

Many seniors had positive things to say about their sports too.

“It has been fun to continue playing a game that I used to love as a kid and be able to spend time with friends,” Wexler said.

However, head baseball coach Todd Butler believes it is not generally a good idea to start a new sport as a senior.

“They are welcome to come to a try-out, but if you haven’t practiced you’re probably not going to make the team. We had two guys who really wanted to play and they knew their best fit was to play on JV and we were lucky that those two players were okay with being on JV,” he said.

Freshmen and sophomore on JV teams may (and their parents) feel that it is unjust that their children do not get adequate playing time with stronger seniors now on JV.

“I don’t have a problem with it. I believe you should put the best players out there, the athletes who give you the best chance of winning,” Peters said.

Another possible problem with the seniors is that they may not work as hard since it is their last year playing.

“It depends on the kid,” Peters said. “There are kids who just want to have fun, that definitely will happen… The upside is more maturity, athleticism, and maybe leadership.”

Overall, Peters believes it is a positive trend.

“It’s good when kids take advantage of all the aspects of Beachwood. There is so much to offer,” he said.

Some seniors wish they had taken advantage of these sports earlier. “I feel as if I could have done so much better in the season if I had started earlier on in high school,” Spector said.

But it is better to get involved late than to not get involved at all.

“I highly recommend seniors to try new sports,” Wexler said. “High school is about trying new things and making the most out of every situation and opportunity.”