BNL will feature new, fresh faces in the dugout, on the field during 2025 campaign

New head coach Steven McNabb goes over the practice schedule during a workout at BNL. McNabb is taking over the baseball program after three seasons as an assistant with the Stars.

By Justin Sokeland

WBIW.com

BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence’s new baseball boss has inherited a new-look team for his introductory campaign.

Steven McNabb, an assistant coach with the Stars for three seasons, has moved into the hot seat in the dugout, taking over for former coach Jeff Callahan following his 11-year stint with his alma mater. Callahan’s departure coincided with the graduation of 10 seniors from a team that advanced to the sectional championship, leaving huge voids to fill.

Many would brace for a bumpy journey ahead with so many changes, but McNabb’s transition has been smooth. He will face a challenge as he oversees a paradigm shift from a top-heavy veteran lineup to youth-infused roster.

“It’s really an honor to have this position, and the opportunity,” McNabb said. “It’s been a lot smoother for me than many first-year coaches. A lot of the foundational stuff has already been laid, and I’m just tweaking some things to make it my own. I’m excited to get going.”

How young will BNL really be? There’s more sophomores than seniors and juniors combined on the opening-week roster. Most of the pitching staff will register higher on a radar gun on the diamond than one from a police officer, because some are still working to legally drive alone.

BNL senior Cal Gates, an Indiana University recruit, will anchor the lineup at the top of the order.

”We’ll see some changes on the field,” McNabb said. “We’re much younger. You’ll see a lot of different faces in different places, a lot of youth. Those things are exciting. But more times than not, you win big with teams that are older. So the expectations for us are to get better every day, to be a tough out in the conference tournament and the sectional.”

Let’s start the preseason scoring report with what is known about the Stars. And that’s plenty. One stands out.

Cal Gates, a fixture in the lead-off spot, returns to anchor the Stars in center field. He’s headed to Indiana University, and not many teams have a Division I recruit in that key spot. Gates hit .360 last season, scored 30 runs and stole 18 bases. He’ll also see some duty on the mound, but his primary focus will be leading the order and orchestrating the defense.

“Any time you can start with Cal, it’s a good place to start,” McNabb said. “I’m excited to pencil his name at the top of the order. He’s worked his tail off, and he’s done a good job of leading these young guys. They look up to him.”

Other seniors with experience include catcher Tate Tanksley (who has recovered from a shoulder injury in football) and Tyler Stigall, who got a lot of work as a defensive specialist last season.

Cam Gates, the younger brother, returns as the standout among the sophomores. He hit .304 last year as a freshman who spent a lot of time behind the plate.

Cam Gates hit .304 as a freshman catcher last season.

“Cam, at times, was our best hitter,” McNabb said. “I’m thinking about him in the third spot, and that’s a good place to start. Tate has been a whole different person this year. He’s been more free, he’s playing with less pressure on himself.”

The huge question is the pitching staff. Graduation claimed the entire starting rotation And the bulk of the bullpen. After Lucas Ira (1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in 8 innings a year ago), there is little varsity experience. That means the staff will be assembled from Ira, left-hander Cutler Chastain, Jackson Jones, Grady Dalton, Chase Rynders and both Gates brothers.

“It’s a big question, and it all starts on the mound,” McNabb said. “You’re only as good as the next day’s starting pitcher. I do like our young guys. Cal will throw some big innings, Tate will throw a little more. But we’re resetting the staff, and we have a big sophomore class.

“Are we a finished product? No. But by season’s end, we have guys that will throw strikes and compete. That’s all I can ask of them. Will we have to score seven or eight runs early in the season? Maybe. But by the end, we’ll have things dialed in.”

BNL is coming off back-to-back 17-win seasons. That’s a big goal for this group.

“We’re young, but they’re all baseball players. They love it and put baseball first,” McNabb said. “I’m big on togetherness. Our chemistry has to be a priority. I’m a believer that the teams that are the closest, not only achieve the most but can also overachieve and surprise themselves, based on everyone pulling for each other.”

BNL will open the season at home against West De Pere (from Wisconsin) on April 4.