VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton senior second baseman
Alex Baratta was hitting .408 and averaging nearly an RBI per game and his preseason favorite Bearcats were starting to click with five wins in their last six games. Then on March 12 everything came to a sudden halt when the NCAA canceled spring championships and the America East and Binghamton followed with a suspension of all athletics activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Â
Baratta, a first team all-conference selection in 2019, shared his thoughts about the recent events and the tough decisions ahead.
You guys were four weekends into your season and were starting to pick up momentum. You were set to board the bus to Towson on Thursday and then in a flurry of events ... they canceled the series and then the America East, in conjunction with the NCAA ended everything later in the afternoon. Take us through those events from the eyes of a student-athlete. And now three weeks later ... how are you doing?Â
So I was starting to pack up all of my stuff that I would need for the weekend in the locker room and got the text saying that the weekend series at Towson was canceled. At the time I didn't really think much of it, I grabbed a few guys and we went over to go hit in the cages. We were all just talking about normal things and what we were going to do the rest of the day since our weekend was canceled. I remember walking out to my truck after showering and getting a text saying meet in the locker room at 4. Then I started to think, man this might actually be happening. We all got to the locker room at 4 p.m. and waited around for about a half hour then skip came in and told us that the season was canceled. All of us were pretty bummed out about it but it never really sunk in until a few days later. Now three weeks later, I am still trying to hit and workout every day like nothing has changed. Online classes are very different but I am trying to stay on top of all of my work. It is also nice to spend some time with family because we all haven't really been together in a while. But this is all so crazy. Â
There must've been so many moving parts for you (and others) ... thinking about this virus in terms of family, friends, teammates, etc. And then your BU classes and obviously baseball. How were those next few days after the word on March 12 and into the weekend?Â
Honestly, it really didn't set in for me until I'd say close to a week after. I was frustrated and in disbelief but I realized that everyone else is going through the same thing that we were so I couldn't be mad about it. It is just crazy timing and if you look at the rest of the world today, outside of NCAA sports or athletics for that matter, everything is shut down and people have to stay home so this goes way beyond sports.Â
So many things have happened with the baseball program in particular this spring - it must feel like a rollercoaster. First the exciting news of the new stadium complex and thus, your senior year played 100% on the road while construction starts. Then the construction delay meant you would be back on the home field for this season. Then you guys start the season with two tough road series' but start to put it together with five wins in six games. Then the virus outbreak announcement. That's a lot to juggle. How do you wrap your head around all of it?
I think the team has handled everything very well. We just went about our business the same day in, day out. Early in the year we had a tough start but any good team knows how to bounce back from a few tough losses and we did just that. We were stringing together some good games, some great pitching outings and at bats and we were really looking forward to the start of conference play then the virus outbreak. It was deflating knowing we were on our way to having a special year but there really isn't anything anyone can do, this is out of our hands.
From a baseball standpoint, can you share what it feels like to have a season canceled like this? Do you believe this group had a good chance to win the America East championship?Â
It is tough, knowing we worked so hard all fall and winter and put ourselves in a good position early in the year to do some special things and it feels like there are still things left to prove but we can't do anything about that. I really do think this group had a chance to win an AE Title, we were so close the year before and we knew what it took to get there and I really felt like it was our year.
What are your initial thoughts about what you will do after this spring and beyond? Are you considering coming back to play next year? What are your personal factors that you and your family are weighing right now?
I have always wanted to get into coaching at some point I don't know if it will be now or later on down the road but I want to share the knowledge I have about baseball with others. I haven't made any definitive decision on my future for next year yet, I have always dreamed of playing professionally and I think that I gave myself a decent opportunity to do so but no one really knows what is going on yet with baseball so I am just sitting and waiting to hear. As for coming back, I think that may be a very good option both academically and athletically because I can receive either a Masters degree or another Undergraduate degree and I can be a double major in both PPL and Economics. I am just taking everything day by day but I have a couple of good options and coming back next year is definitely something I would enjoy and want to do.Â
If this happens to be your last go-around with the program ... what thoughts do you have on your time with Binghamton baseball? What will you miss the most? Â
My time at Binghamton has been awesome. Ever since the day I stepped foot on campus I have felt like this has been home. Coming in as a transfer I didn't really know what to expect and didn't really know anyone but my teammates (both former and present) and the coaches made this place feel like home. If I do leave, I will miss all the friendships I have made both with my teammates and with others, I will miss the coaches a lot and being around everyone all the time. It's just a great and energetic group of guys and knowing I may not be back with them really upsets me. A few memories I have had in my time here, have been having one of the best records in program history in 2017 and the entire 2019 season, from start to finish. Being so close and competing for an AE Title in May in front of our home crowd was just an awesome experience with a great group of guys.
Your major is Philosophy, Politics and Law ... what were some of your initial career plans?
My dad is a lawyer and I thought about law school, but I realized a degree from Binghamton carries a lot of weight with a lot of employers especially in NY and NJ. I have always loved studying and learning about History and have enjoyed taking numerous Political Science classes. I've done a few internships (when I have had the time) and have enjoyed them very much and I can see myself doing a myriad of different jobs and having a few different career paths to choose from.Â
Have you been able to talk with other baseball friends, from high school or college ... and is there an even closer bond and camaraderie now with the collective group whose had their seasons taken away?Â
When I talk to my other "buddies" we just kind of joke around about the past and talk about how life is going now and what we have been up to. Every single guy that has had their season taken away both at the collegiate level and having their professional careers delayed all share the same feelings of anger and disbelief and being tired of waiting around. Everyone wants this pandemic to be over with as quickly as possible so we can all try to get back to the normal lives we were once living.
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