With the 2024-25 academic year coming to a close, it’s almost time for Kingsmen Baseball to begin its summer season! The 2025 season has a ton in store for the players, coaches, and fans, as the Kingsmen prepare to grow in their talents on the baseball field and in their faith. With out-of-state trips and a challenging schedule on the horizon, Kingsmen’s Griffin Leonard sat down with Founder and Head Coach Joe Hudak to discuss the upcoming year.
Griffin Leonard: Hi Coach! What excites you about the 2025 season?
Coach Joe Hudak: Hey Griffin. First of all, it’s exciting to have you on our team. Looking forward to your stories and work in the press box! This time of the year is always very exciting for me. I like to say, like Forrest Gump, that summer ball is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get. It’s exciting to have 25 or so players from all over the country come together for the summer. I think the thing that excites me the most is seeing how God will impact each of our players and how they will grow in their faith.
Leonard: What is unique about this team?
Hudak: This team has more returning players than any of our previous teams. We have 12 players coming back to play with us. I think that’s a very cool testament to how much our guys enjoy the experience of playing for the Kingsmen. I think playing a second year really gives players a chance to grow spiritually.
Leonard: What do you hope to accomplish before the summer is over, on and off the field?
Hudak: I think our mission statement really identifies what we want to accomplish. We want to use the great game of baseball to help our players 1) grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ; 2) become the best baseball players they can be; and 3) develop into men of character and integrity. We will work really hard on the field to develop their baseball skills, but we’ll work just as hard to help our guys grow spiritually.
Leonard: What should those following along with the season expect to see?
Hudak: I would hope that they see a team that competes very hard on the field. I always tell the guys that if they are keeping score, we’re playing to the win. That’s pretty much how I’m wired. So, hopefully we find success on the field. Just as important to me is our desire to see our guys grow in their faith. We will have kids from all over the map spiritually and from all different backgrounds. Our goal is for them to understand what it really means to be a Christian. It’s not a bunch of rules and regulations, but it’s having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Leonard: How do you hope to grow the spiritual faith of everyone in the program, including yourself, throughout the summer?
Hudak: We have a fantastic Chaplain named Lincoln Lawing, who has been with us since 2020. He does a great job relating to our players and leading our spiritual development. We will have team Bible studies each week, go to different churches each week, and take an amazing mission trip to the Dominican Republic.
Leonard: What work is there still to be done before opening day?
Hudak: The roster and schedule are set, and we have the itinerary for both of our trips set, so it’s just a matter of getting our guys here and settled in. Most players will report May 27. Some may report at different times based on when their college seasons are over. Then, we will only have 1 practice day, play 4 games in the next 6 days and head to Alaska on June 4. We will be crazy busy.
