Westwood Senior Ready to Step Up to the Plate

Joe Bates is a senior first baseman for and pitcher who is ready to take on this season and erase last year’s loss to Pascack Valley in the County Championship. That is the beauty of a clean slate and the Cardinals seem poised and ready.

The Cardinals have lost some key players from last year but will look toward senior leadership this year from players like Bates. Head Coach Joe Yurko knows how important Bates can be to help the team succeed this season.

“Joe has been a reliable starting pitcher, someone who accepts challenges and won't back down from tough opponents,” said Yurko. “He also a leader who leads in a quiet way, one who leads by example. Joe is a great individual, possessing all of the personal qualities a coach would like to see in all of his players. Coaching him is easy. He is someone that I can always count on.”

Bates also credits Yurko for a lot of his success on the field.

“I have enjoyed every minute of playing baseball for Coach Yurko. He has taught me a lot about the game and the right way to play it,” Bates said. “It has always been fun and I will miss playing for him.”

Bates is a reliable pitcher and first baseman who has a key quality that is essential for any athlete in order for the team to succeed.

“I would say that the strongest part of Joe's game is his unselfish team play,” said Yurko. "He is completely unselfish. He is someone that will do what he is asked to do and whatever it takes to get the job done.”

Bates has learned to adjust and use his abilities by his strong knowledge of the game and his will to get better. He possesses the intangibles that many coaches long for and want in their players.

In his spare time, Bates enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his teammates. They are a strong and close unit both on and off the field.

The Cardinals' schedule is highlighted by some marquee matchups against Bergen Catholic, St. Joseph’s Regional, Ramapo and many others.

It promises to be a challenging and fun season.