Native Returns to Lead Baseball Team Into New Season

Reggie Maidment may be new to the varsity baseball team as a first-year head coach. But he is in no way new to the school.

He replaces longtime leader Doug Hoak, who retired last year, but Maidment has been an assistant with the football team for three years and the baseball junior varsity coach for two years. He also taught at the high school for one year.

And as a native of Hamilton who starred for the Generals in the early 2000s in football, basketball and baseball, there shouldn’t be an issue with Maidment knowing the history of the team and the league.

“It’s great to be able to give back, and to follow Doug, who was a role model for me, makes it (better),” said Maidment.

“I was born and raised in Hamilton and I have a lot of passion for Hamilton-Wenham athletics.”

So far in his first couple weeks of practice he has been stressing fundamentals, of course, but wants to make sure his team out-thinks their opponents.

“In the preseason I am making sure they are mentally prepared,” Maidment said. “They need to know what they need to do every play … even if ball doesn’t come to them.

“I tell them all the time they need to focus on the details. Baseball is a thinking-man’s game and if they don’t focus then the little things it can cost you extra outs and runs.”

The versus on its home field at at 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday. The JV team plays at the high school.

Maidment isn’t blessed with a ton of experience, but he is fortunate to have No. 1 pitcher Ryan Foringer, who was one of the Generals top hurlers in 2011.

“Ryan will be a bull for us. He is our only returning starter from last year,” Maidement explained. “He’s been working hard all winter. He will be a huge part of our success.”

Jim Parr, the leadoff hitter and centerfielder, is another returnee from . Catcher Pete Duval and second basemen Jack Conville also come back with starter’s experience.

Jack Clay moves into the No. 2 starting pitcher spot after coming in relief a year ago.

With two experienced pitchers and strong players at centerfield, second base and catcher, Hamilton-Wenham is strong up the middle - a good recipe for success.

“Our middle infielders are strong - making sure we get outs when need outs – and Jimmy (Parr) is the captain of our outfield who can cover a lot of ground. That, with Pete with a strong arm at catcher, and we look good (up the middle),” Maidement said.

Duval, sophomore Ben MacDonald and junior Adam Penner may also see time on the mound. MacDonald can play third base, too.

Maidment will be starting freshman Austen Michel at the key shortstop position, but he almost had no choice.

“He’s an AAU player and is very polished. He knows the game,” he said. “I brought him up to give him a chance and he’s excelled. I put him at shortstop one day and he was eating up balls (hit to him). I said I have to get him a position.”

The last definite is first baseman Paul DiMarino – one of the three captains with Parr and Foringer - who played there a bit last year.

That leaves three players most likely battling for the two corner outfield spots: Matt Andre, Jack Keegan and Nick Tufts, a transfer from Mashpee.

“(Baseball) has been down a little lately in Hamilton. I am hoping to surprise some people,” Maidement said. “We have kids who are willing to put in the work (necessary). We will have a good team and will be competitive.”