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The Price Raptors 17u team opened play back on June 7 with a double header loss to Vernal, and moving through the remainder of the season after yesterday’s losses to Springville they sit at 0-9, but coach Willie Ellington says that wins aren’t what he is looking for and he makes it very clear that it’s all about the kids.

“When I started out this season, I kind of figured that if we can get at least one win or something out of this season you know, I mean I’m happy with that. Another thing, I’m just happy with the fact that with the record of the losses, that they’re still pounding away, they haven’t got discouraged, they’re still willing to get out there and battle the game and just try to finish up strong with the season.”

When asked about standouts this season Ellington mentioned Logan Sanchez.

“I just like him (Sanchez) as an all around player. He likes to hustle, he’s a good pitcher, he’s a catcher and I really feel good about him. With Logan and really any of the kids, the score can be 10-0 or 7-0 and they are out there playing like it’s 2-1, so I’m excited about that.”

With games against Helper, Payson and Wasatch left on the schedule,  Ellington said he is more interested in getting more practice time in than anything else.

“I’m just looking at now that we have access to more practices and things like that, I’m just looking forward to going out and taking hitting practice, ground balls and fly balls and just trying to hold these guys together. And if I can get them to build more confidence in themselves, swinging the bat, catching the ball out in front of the plate, getting a quicker bat and a quicker release, that’s what I’ll be working on. The thing about it is you got to have a winning character and you get that winning character by not quitting and having more love for the game like they’re doing.”

Ellington went on to talk about having that winning character and how it will stay with you and you’ll carry it throughout your life.

“My take on it, the overall season, even when I played ball and stuff like that, I don’t like to lose, everyone likes to win, that’s basically kind of natural. But I look at it if you can participate, hang in there, the better the love you have for the game and the character for the game, and then to help you prepare yourself to be in the workforce and be in society and not being a quitter, that’s where I’m at.”

The Raptors have just three games left on the season they will take on Helper on Wednesday night June 30 at Ernie Gardner field in Helper, then they will be on the road in Payson Saturday July 2. The games on Tuesday July 12 against Wasatch will be played on the field at Carbon High School, game one of the double header will start at 4:30 and game two is scheduled for 6:30.