Trinity baseball is welcoming back one of its former alumni, Addison Phillips. Phillips is a 2019 Trinity alumnus. He is also a former Trinity baseball manager and was a manager at the University of Louisville. He managed at Louisville for four years as an undergraduate, then went on to graduate from U of L. The program is excited to welcome Phillips back.
Experience at Louisville
Coach Phillips brings experience and energy from Louisville to Trinity to help players get to the next level. He described his experience at Louisville as a “culture shock.”
“It was eye-opening, the level of talent at a high-end Division I school,” he said.
Coming from Trinity, he had already seen talent and was well prepared for the challenge of managing at a Division I program. Managing is not easy. When Phillips was asked what players might not know or understand about the job, he said, “As a student manager, it is pretty much a full-time job outside of school. … I would help set up practice every day after school.”
Managing is not an easy job, and most players do not see the work that goes into it.
Return to Trinity
Phillips, a former alumnus and manager in the program, said returning brings both nostalgia and excitement.
“When Coach Arnold called me and asked if I would be willing to help, 100 percent I would be down,” he said.
He is working to develop players on the JV team to reach the varsity level while also preparing them for college and the next level.
Henry Freeman, a sophomore member of the baseball team, said, “He pushes us to be better every single day.”
Freeman added that the coaching staff is helping players build on what they learned as freshmen and continue developing. Phillips has already made an impact.
Goals for the Season
Every great coach has goals for the season. Phillips said, “Starting off in the fall, we really wanted to set a good foundation for the program. We already liked what we had coming back. … Now it is all about honing in on what we picked up through fall ball, building on those little principles that we can teach in the fall and then put into games in the spring.”
He wants to win a state championship and ensure the freshman and JV teams have strong seasons. He also wants to make sure his players are prepared for the next steps with varsity and college baseball.
Impact and Leadership
As a player and someone who has known Phillips for a while, he is always upbeat but also makes sure everyone stays focused and serious when needed. He makes an impact at all levels.
He is not just a coach, but a mentor. Not only does he know the game well, he understands it at a high level. His knowledge and experience make him a valuable addition, especially when it comes to the mental side of the game.
