The Pike County varsity baseball team will be starting from scratch for the 2010 season.

Thanks to a whole new coaching staff, the Bulldogs will be looking to do something it was unable to do last season – make it to the postseason.

“We are focusing on keeping our games short, working hard on defense – playing the game the way it is supposed to be played” Bulldog head coach Nathan Fordham said.

“Our main goal is to get into the playoffs. Early on in the season, we want to make sure we improve and learn from our mistakes so that we will be in a position to make the postseason,” he added.

The coach continued by saying he believes the right pieces are in place to help the team achieve its main goal for the season.

“The team has been really responsive to the new coaching staff,” Fordham said.

“Practices have been very up beat and the players have been working hard.

“It is getting to the point where I think all the players are anxious to start the season up though,” he said.

One of the tools the Bulldogs will use is one which is hard to come by, however, very dangerous.

“Speed will be a our biggest asset going into the season,” Fordham said.

“We will be able to close the gaps in our defense thanks to [speed] and we will also be able to play a little more aggressively on offense.

“We will be able to put pressure on our opposition because of our speed,” he added.

But before PCHS can use that speed on the bases, the players have to get there first, which is one aspect of the team that Fordham says need some improvement.

“We need to improve our offense a little bit,” the coach said.

“There are five of six kids who swing the bat pretty well right now, but during the beginning of the season, I think our pitching will be better.

“The offense will come around eventually,” Fordham said.

With opening day less than a week away for the Bulldogs, Fordham said he hopes his team is able to get off to a hot start.

“The team is excited about the season – I just hope we can get a couple good wins early to build off of the rest of the season.”

The Bulldogs will get their chance when they take on Ariton, on the road, next Tuesday, Feb. 16.