A bigger league. A bigger diamond. But none of the big boys.

Led by new coach Ryan Worley, who attended the last spring training camp with the Miami Marlins, a new freshman team of 13 to 14 players has joined the ranks of the PHS baseball family this season. The team was formed in response to suggestions from parents over the summer, Worley said.

Besides freshmen, the team also abounds in energy, positivity, questions, characters and desire to learn the game, said Worley. His players respond well to direction and are fun to be around.

“As a coach, you can appreciate that because it makes my teaching job easier,” Worley said. “I try not to be so hard on them, but I am a pretty fiery guy when it comes to this game.”

Most of the boys have played on teams with other teammates before, which can be used as an advantage, freshmen players Adam Porter and Jonathan Dinetz said.

“We’ve already gotten some camaraderie,” Porter said.

Less players also means more playing time for the boys, which Worley said he is excited about.

On the other hand, playing on a team with all freshmen can come with its difficulties.

The team’s numbers will challenge them the most, Worley said, as potential players who play other sports draw commitment away from their team.

“I guess that’s just the territory of being in high school,” Worley said.

Also, the only teamwork the freshmen get to have with their older Piedmont players is during practice.

“Less upperclassmen really gets us together as a team, but less experience might hurt us,” Dinetz said.

Besides improving their offense, Dinetz says he wants to improve team chemistry even more.

Worley’s goal for the season is progression for the players moving from middle school to high school baseball. Specifically, he hopes to teach work ethic, focus and dedication.

“They’re transitioning from a very different breed of baseball,” Worley said.  “It’s a new experience for all of us.”

Worley says continuing the freshman team in future years is important, which would mean coaching a new batch of freshmen every year if he continued as well.

“That kind of sucks for me though because you have to say bye so soon right when everything gets good,” Worley said.