TOPSHAM

It may not feel or even look like spring outside, but inside high school gyms across Maine, pitchers and catchers are reporting this week for preseason baseball to help usher it in.

At Mt. Ararat, a change at the top introduces Brett Chase to the program.

Chase replaces Bob Neron, who coached the Eagles from 2012-2017.

The last name may sound familiar, that’s because Brett’s wife, Krista coaches the field hockey team for the Eagles.

Chase has always been a baseball guy, but after taking some time off, the former first baseman got the “bug” to get back out there.

“After 17 years of non-stop baseball, I figured I’d had enough and it was time to play golf,” chuckled Chase. “We had kids and they started getting into sports. I started coaching at the youth levels and from watching Krista coach, I got the bug to get back on the field.”

Chase brings plenty of experiences to the diamond. After graduating from Mt. Abram High School in 1993, Chase took his skills to the University of Maine at Farmington. There, Chase learned from hall of fame basketball and baseball coach, Dick Meader, and considers him one of the greatest baseball influences in his career.

“Coach Meader was one of those guys who didn’t yell a lot, he didn’t have to have a bunch of team rules, everyone respected him,” said the 1998 UMF graduate. “He went about his business and taught you the game. He got to know you as a person, which I really appreciated.”

Chase is the all-time leader in UMF baseball with 26 doubles and was the team’s batting champion in 1998. He also set the single season record for most total bases with 82 and ranks fourth all-time in 64 career runs batted in. He also sits 13th in the all-time record books with 65 runs scored and 16th with 93 career hits.

Chase was inducted into the UMF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. He was inducted by none other, Meader.

“You don’t see it so much when playing, but looking back, it was great that he took the time to know about my classes, my family, or anything else going on,” said Chase. “He is definitely one of my greatest influences.”

Time to coach

“Watching Krista, I always said I’ve been an “assistant varsity coach” the past 12 years working with her in field hockey,” said Chase. “I watch how she handles the kids and I hope to do it as well as she does. I think I’m prepared for some of the challenges.”

One thing Chase emphasized when he got hired at MtA, was that he wants to “trickle stuff back down.” Not only with him getting more involved with the middle school and youth programs, but also his players.

“It’s obviously a great baseball community here, and I just want to keep fostering these kids out,” mentions Chase. “What’s more exciting when you’re an Ararat kid and a high school player comes up to you and pats you on the back? And what’s great, these are the kids (high school players) to do it.”

With three kids of his own, Landen (13), Caiden (10) and Kamryn (8), Chase stays plenty busy being involved in their activities, but it also has allowed him some time to have some familiarity with some of his new players.

“With Landen being 13, I’ve coached or coached against some of the incoming freshman this year,” said Chase. “Our middle son is 10, so I’ll help out with the Cal Ripken program as much as I can,” said Chase.

Upcoming season

As the Eagles, runners-up in the Eastern Maine Class A finals a season ago, bring back the majority of its players, Chase likes coming in with no preconceived notions.

“We’re bringing back pretty much everyone,” said Chase. “We lost a natural leader and catcher in Cam Cox, but we’re returning eight seniors.

“There are still spots to fill. It’s great coming in and seeing everybody for the first time. I’ve seen these players play, but everything is wide open.”

A marine underwriter for an insurance company out of New York, Chase has pretty straight forward plans for the upcoming season.

“We’re definitely going back to basics. We’ve decided we’re going to start from the ground up,” adds Chase. “You have to pay attention to details. When you lose 3-0 in the Eastern Maine Finals to Bangor, it’s the little things that make a difference. Not that they didn’t do that, but we just need to make sure we’re prepared.”

Chase could not reiterate enough the importance of the basics.

“I’m a fundamentals guy, if you can turn a double play, that’s fantastic, but if you can’t get that first out, you can’t get the second,” said Chase.

“Fundamentals can make a difference in the very competitive KVAC (Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference), a lot of one-run games, and those little things will make a difference.”

Mt. Ararat is scheduled to open the regular season on April 18 when they visit Skowhegan. The first home game is slated for April 23, against rival Morse.

As for these first few weeks, Chase is ready to hit the ground running.

“I want to get to know the players personally, get to know their strengths so I can put them in the best possible position to succeed.”