The clink of bats replaced the striking of construction Monday morning as baseball stepped onto the field.

With months of adjusting due to construction of the field, to using football fields, to softball cages, the Varsity baseball team was finally able to hit the field and open up to district play against Boerne Champion on Feb. 25. Although the game ended in a lost 5-7 against Boerne Champion it brought the community together for the opening of district play for these two teams.

As construction gets closer to completion the Rangers will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the field tonight at  6 p.m. They are hoping many people from the community, alumni, fans, parents and many others will come together to witness and celebrate the opening of the new field.

The program has seen its fair share of struggle this pre-season with no field to use and call home. 

“We adjusted a lot. We had to use softball cages in the afternoon,” baseball coach Chad Koehl said. “We were fortunate enough that Davenport High School let us use their field when they got off. It’s a big thing for our kids to get back on the field.” 

The players themselves have seen struggles, but found ways to succeed. 

“Not having a field definitely had its challenges,” senior Andrew Bonner said. “We practiced on soccer fields, football fields, and other baseball fields both near and far. It wasn’t always ideal, but I truly believe it made us stronger as a team.”

Being able to not practice due to not having a field wasn’t a plan for Koehl. 

“There are definitely no excuses that we’ll make for not being ready to play and we’ll open up district play tomorrow against Boerne Champion.” he said.

With construction being nearly finished and the team being able to use the field the players are motivated more than ever. 

“They are excited, they’ve been able to see (the field), we have been using our bullpens for about the last three weeks and our cages for the last two, it is huge on morale, but I think what they also see is the significance of what they are getting.” Koehl said. 

The players are truly excited due to the new refurbished facilities that they are able to have access to and are very appreciative. 

“The upgrades to the facilities have been incredible,” Bonner said. “Everything feels refreshed, from the field itself to the dugouts and locker rooms. It’s great to see how much work has been put into making this a better space for us, and we’re really grateful for it.” 

The construction just hasn’t just impacted the team but former players and the whole community too. 

“A lot of it has to do with our alumni,” Koehl said. “We have an alumni that’s doing the construction, Brent Dawson who graduated in 2002, so that’s a really neat thing. This has a lot to do with other kids, it has to do with our community, it has to do with our boosters, and it has to do with Comal ISD.”

The construction won’t stop Koehl and his team from making goals and pushing toward a successful season. 

“It’s the same that it has always been,” he said. “We have goals, and we’re looking to win the district championship, but in this district, seven of the nine teams went to the playoffs last year. It’s the toughest 5A district in the state of Texas. Our goal will always be to win the district championship, make it to the playoffs and be playing in round Rock mid June in the state tournament.” 

The team will have the tools to strive for these goals after the ribbon cutting ceremony tonight.

“I’m most looking forward to making a deep playoff run, playing under the lights in intense games, and experiencing the incredible atmosphere that comes with these upgraded facilities,” Bonner said.