The varsity baseball team is swinging into unknown territory this year as new head coach Gary Steve Teter takes over.
Teter will be replacing former two-year head coach Joe Stetka, who resigned at the end of the 2011 season.
“I loved Coach Stetka. He was like a father to me. Sad to see him go, but I guess it’s fine,” senior TJ Centi said.
“I approached Coach Dukes directly about the position. I had heard that Coach Stetka was leaving so I was very proactive in trying to join the program. I went through the very thorough interview process and got the job,” Teter said.
Teter moved up to the next level by taking this coaching job. “I have been successful coaching in Baltimore and Harford County and wanted to try to succeed in the MIAA. I look forward to taking on the challenges of playing in the top league in the state,” Teter said.
JC’s location was also a deciding factor in applying for the head coaching position. “I live in Bel Air, so the opportunity to take over a strong program in my backyard created the perfect position,” Teter said.
Teter has coached at the varsity level for the past 10 years. He last worked as an assistant coach for four years at Fallston High School. Before that, he coached at Franklin High School in Reisterstown, MD. Teter also has one year of experience playing college baseball for Towson University.
“I have always had a love of baseball and played my entire life before entering into coaching. I have since found out that I love coaching even more than playing,” Teter said.
In addition to coaching, Teter teaches American Government and AP Psychology at Dundalk High School in Baltimore County.
As far as the season goes, Teter’s goals are “work hard, hustle, and create an expectation of greatness.”
“I feel that if we work hard every day, then winning will be the natural completion of the cycle. We will feel that we deserve to win. I want to make sure we are creating the best student athletes that we can and get everyone more prepared for the next step in life no matter what direction they choose,” Teter said.
“I really like him [Teter], he’s a good guy. He makes us work a lot harder, and he’ll get us in better shape for the season,” junior JC Clayton said.
Teter foresees challenges in the upcoming season, but he is not discouraged. “Going through the schedule for the first time will be a challenge, but I am looking forward to building a program, not just a team. We will be young but we won’t get out-hustled or out-worked. Laying the foundation of expectations and goals for the long-term will be essential this year,” Teter said.
“I think the new coach is a great guy and is already pushing our team in fall workouts. He has big shoes to fill but is capable of doing it,” Centi said.
In his first season, Teter is looking forward to getting know the players and building on the program. “It’s always challenging when you start at a new school. Learning how things work and who your players are takes time. I am sure there will be some bumps in the road but as long as our goals and work ethic are unchanging, then we will be okay. As players become more comfortable with me and I with them, as a team we will be better prepared to compete in this league,” Teter said.
Emily Clarke is a Managing Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.