Goshen head coach Robby Kinsaul wants his players to build a really small house.

The veteran head coach wants his players to feel right at home in the 24 square feet area of the batters box, and is getting right to work on that aspect of the game.

Monday was the first days Alabama High School Athletic Association teams were allowed to use bats at practice, and Kinsaul said his were excited to bust out the metal.

“They seem to have a little more energy about them today,” said Kinsaul. “A lot of the guys take hitting lessons from certain individuals, but today is the first day we can get out here as a group. It will take a little while, but we will make the adjustment.”

Several of the players said they had not swung a bat since the end of the 2013 season, and were having problems on the first day.

Kinsaul said the hitting issues will more than likely fix themselves with repetition and “taking more cuts.”

“Timing and rhythm are probably the two biggest parts of hitting,” said Kinsaul. “As a batter, you will see guys that throw hard, and the next day you can see a guy that brings it slow. You have to be able to keep your timing down, and not get overextended. For a lot of these guys it will take about a week or week-and-a-half to get back in the swing of things.”

Goshen opens the 2014 season on the road with a doubleheader at 3A powerhouse Straughn on February 17. To get ready for the opening day twin bill, and the long season ahead, Kinsaul’s team will take live batting practice multiple times a week.

“It’s all about being comfortable in the box,” said Kinsaul. “We will see live pitching a couple times a week, so our guys will be used to seeing changes in speed and break. We want to be a prepared as we can be come the opener. February 17 is coming fast. It is our job to be ready when that day gets here.”

The Eagles first home game is Feb. 20.