Leading off into the season, the Warren Central baseball team looks to build new connections and continue previous success. This year the team is filled with a coaching staff led by brand new head coach Justin Kamm.
After coach Chris Ulrey left the team back in January, Kamm stepped up and filled the role. Kamm previously was an assistant coach at Park Tudor, and he also started a travel baseball team called the Indy Titans.
Kamm has been around baseball for a long time, playing baseball at North Central High School and being recruited by Vincennes University.
For some players the change from Coach Ulrey to Coach Kamm brought hopefulness, even just off of a first impression.
“My first impression was just optimistic,” senior Justin Concepcion said. “It takes time to build trust with a coach, but I'm excited to get ready to work with him and see what he has to offer to this team.”
For other athletes, like senior Jimmie Price, there may be no initial first impression, just hopefulness that their new addition has their best interest, and they are ready for the season to begin. While athletes have heard positive things about Kamm, building trust and bonding with Kamm might be needed to help smooth over the coaching change.
“I heard that he was an organization owner, which gave me faith that he can guide this team to success,” Price said. “He seems to know what he’s doing, and he’s brought great resources to the team. I hope this season we can continue our streak of a winning season.”
Kamm is creating a set of expectations to work on and improve on before the season begins. Kamm wants to see the best in athletes, and in order to ensure this, he has come up with a plan and begun working on it.
“My goals for the season are to establish a culture that cultivates work ethic,” he said. “Players need to work hard in practice and outside of practice. Our success will depend on our players' desire to get better when they are working on their own.”
Part of that work ethic culture includes self-accountability.
“I’ve told our players that part of my job is to give them what they need to be successful,” Kamm said. “I will see to it that I do my part, but they will need to do their part as well.”
Kamm is not only at Warren to build a team. He wants to get to know the athletes that make up his team. As a coach this can help build bonds with athletes and build trust among the team, creating higher morale.
“I’ve never met a stranger,” he said. “The players already know I communicate with them on a regular basis. I’m hopeful this is just the beginning of a lifelong relationship.”
Coach Kamm is overjoyed to be coaching at Warren. Knowing that he is here to help build and strengthen the team has brought him a purpose to help continue to coach and help athletes get to their full potential.
“Being transparent, I had other opportunities elsewhere to coach,” he said. “Warren was the coaching job I wanted. My passion is growing the game of baseball. Baseball teaches so many life lessons. Again, being transparent, I am aware that the baseball numbers in the area have diminished. I hate to see that. Part of my job will be to get more kids in the community playing baseball and staying with the game.”
According to Kamm, he is prepared to “build a program, not just to have a good season.” That journey to growth starts now.
“I love the school and I can’t say enough about the respect I have for the Warren community,” he said. “I’m honored to be a part of such a great school and even more honored to help lead these great kids.”