The HHS varsity baseball team, hot off momentum from a successful spring break tournament, achieving a record of 21-5 heading into late season play. The team went 3-1 on the week, beating Muscle Shoals, West Blocton, and Hatton. Earlier in the season the team achieved great results: beating a No. 1 ranked Hoover 4-0 and No. 6 ranked Cullman 12-7.
The Homewood win against Cullman highlights the offensive power of this year’s team. A main focus this season is to put pressure on the defense, partly stemming from a reoccurring struggle last year behind the plate.
Assistant head coach and pitching coach, Keith Brown, recently honored for coaching 900 games at Homewood, points out this year’s emphasis on batting.
“I think a big thing last year is, we struck out way too many times at the plate, and we’re we really tried to look at how we’re structuring batting practice and being very purposeful,” Brown said. “Making sure that we put the ball in play with two strikes and put pressure on the other team, because anybody can defend a strikeout. We’ve got to put the ball in play more and use our speed and athleticism to our advantage.”
The teams’ results do not come without sacrifice. Brown explained that in the fall, three times every week, the team visited Tinsley Performance, a high tech workout facility designed to efficiently increase athletic ability.
While making immense gains in the weightroom, Brown highlighted how they significantly increased their ability behind the plate.
“If you came out and watched us practice this year, watch our rounds of BP this year versus last year, it’s really night and day,” Brown said.
Another vital factor this season has been the grit and work ethic created from last year’s results. After losing a close series 2-1 to Hartselle in 2025, motivations and standards were heightened for all returning players, including seniors.
“Since the time of the season ending last year, I mean, they’ve been calling and texting Coach Hall and getting his keys,” Brown said. “Usually on the weekend, there’s 4, 5, 6, guys up here, hitting, throwing, and taking ground balls. They just work and work, and they love the work. They love and they really care about each other.”
Senior captain Ben Roberts, committed to Northwest Shoals to continue his playing career. Roberts, a vital component to the team’s winnings, is a pitcher and third baseman.
Improvements and strides are not made when the season starts. Roberts details some of the factors that occurred before the season began.
“I think over the off season we prepared really well so we have really strong team chemistry,” Brown said. “We have a really strong bond between the seniors and the juniors who are really coming along too. I think just playing together has been one of the best things.”
The team’s willingness and dedication to work is only most effective when paired with related drills and work that enhance improvement. Roberts comments on the significance of each role in baseball and how each one is unique.
“Practice is different each day but we try to keep our fundamentals crisp and stay up, we have a lot of competition throughout our practices.” Roberts said “We have intersquads in the off season and have a lot of BP, fielding and bunting practice. Obviously the pitchers get a lot of work in the bullpen.”
As the season progresses, the focus shifts towards a more day-to-day approach. Brown explained that the focus is not about what’s at the end of the season, or in the next three weeks, but instead, the next challenge, to “be where your feet are.”
Everyone on the team has a voice, but the influence of the captains and their energy is critical to the health of the team. Roberts explains how he fills that role.
“I’m just always trying to keep a positive energy in the dugout,”Roberts said. “Use my failures and successes to the best of my abilities. Not get down on myself and keep picking up all the other guys because baseball is definitely a game of failure.
