The Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball season doesn’t start for about five weeks, but at the end of January, the team’s boosters were already revving up their support.
The Vikings Baseball Boosters Club held its Hot Stove Fundraiser on Jan. 29.
Eric Andersen of Flossmoor is the president leading the club, an organization dedicated to supporting players and coaches who are part of the Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball program.
Joining Andersen are Jim Lund, vice president; Laurie Anderson, treasurer; and Chris Steiner, secretary.
“We can all agree that (H-F) is the premier school, and they give our kids everything they need from academics to athletics,” Andersen said.
He got a round of applause for varsity coach John McCarthy for his work at improving the team the last four years, noting “our coaches value our players.”
McCarthy said he is excited to have 75 players on the roster. He knows some schools are struggling to build teams, but he credited Homewood and Flossmoor recreational baseball programs and James Hart School and Parker Junior High programs for keeping boys involved in the sport.
“Our program is strong. This community loves baseball,” McCarthy said. “And what you (VBBC) allow us to do is provide our kids a better experience and that experience is awesome. Last year we went to our first ever sectional final.”
The Vikings had a 19-8 record at the end of the regular season and won the regional championship title. The team went on to win over Lincoln-Way East in the sectionals advancing to the super-sectionals for a run up to a state championship title, but the team attempt to go all the way ended with a 3-2 loss against Providence Catholic High School.
McCarthy thanked H-F Superintendent Von Mansfield and District 233 board member Steve Anderson for their support of improvements at the Vikings ball field. The school board agreed to a new under-drain system on the field, concrete curbing and new fencing, installation of new infield synthetic turf and lights on the field.
The Vikings play their first game of their 34-game season on March 14.