Arthur Stamps is a little more vocal this season. Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s senior outfielder has some clout with his younger teammates and he’s using it.
“Last year, I didn’t have to take much of a leadership role. I’ve really had to step up and become a leader now,” he said. “I think we have a lot more pieces that fit together a lot better than last year. Everyone knows each other. There’s a lot of team camaraderie.”
This Vikings team has a lot of experience playing together. Stamps thinks that could make a difference this spring.
“I know I can count on the next guy. I know if I don’t get the job done, the guy behind me will,” he said.
Stamps often got the job done a year ago, though, batting .342 with three home runs, five doubles, 19 RBIs for a .997 OPS. He also stole nine bases.
This season, he plans to be more of a home run threat. Stamps said he added strength in the weight room over the winter. He sees himself more as a gap hitter but the added pop never hurts.
That game will head downtown next year. Stamps is committed to Roosevelt University. He plans to major in sports medicine and hopes to someday be a physical trainer.
“I’m trying to get bigger, stronger, faster,” he said. “I always had a lot of natural power but the weight room adds another level to it.”
Stamps wasn’t the only one who put in the effort over the offseason. He said the winter workouts were full. The team lost Ricky Hamm and Tori Chaney to graduation, but returns several key contributors like Stamps, Demir Heidelberg and hurler Henry Humes.
H-F hopes to better last year’s 19-17 record (4-9 in the SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue).
To that end, Stamps will take on a new role. He’ll toe the rubber more frequently than the four innings he pitched as a junior. He’s excited about it, whether it be in relief or as a starter.
He dropped the changeup over the offseason, focusing instead on a two-seam fastball, cutter and slider.
“I’m trying to be the best player I can be in whatever way I can, whether that be pitching, hitting, playing any position,” Stamps said. “I don’t worry about the numbers. I just try to go out and play my game.”
This is the second season for coach Marcus Rodgers at H-F. The players have a more comfortable feel during practices and workouts. The routine is in place and everyone knows what to expect.
“We’re trying to win state. We’re coming in and trying to win a lot more games,” Stamps said. “We’re going to be a great team. There’s no way we can’t be good. We put all this work in.”