The shortstop is the captain of the field, and that suits St. Charles North’s Jackson Spring just fine.
Spring, who’s now a senior, knows what comes with being a veteran in the middle of the infield.
As a freshman, Spring was called up to the varsity for the North Stars midway through the season. So all of this, including the pressure of being the shortstop, really is nothing new to him.
“My role is to definitely take charge and lead the team where it needs to go,” Spring said. “I’m going to go out there and compete in anything that I do.
“If I’m up with two outs in the last inning, I’m not going to be the last out of the game. I’m just a competitor and somebody that is going to outwork anybody on the other team.”
Those traits rub off on his teammates, as coach Todd Genke has noticed.
Spring was around when Nick DeMarco, now at Notre Dame, won the Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year award for the North Stars. Spring couldn’t have had a better mentor in DeMarco.
“I think (Spring) started to realize, ‘That’s who I want to be,’” Genke said of playing alongside DeMarco on the varsity. “When you start passing the torch, kids realize it’s my turn.”
Genke knew early on Spring had the qualities needed to be a good leader. He confirmed not everybody is cut out for that role, but there are certain traits that let him know a player has it.
“It’s one thing to lead, but who’s following you?” Genke said. “That’s been a huge benefit for us with him. He’s got to be that guy for us, and he certainly has been and will be.”
Spring credited a constant improvement in his mental game for bringing him to that point.
“I think being able to handle failure, which is going to happen — being able to bounce back from things is big,” Spring said. “If something happens early in the game, that game’s not over.
“There are other opportunities.”
And this spring, it’s Spring’s turn in the spotlight. He’s coming off a season in which he hit .350 with 32 runs, seven doubles and 25 RBIs out of the leadoff spot.
Since then, Spring has added over 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. He also made his college commitment to Wisconsin-Whitewater, which is also Genke’s alma mater.
Between the offseason work and the first couple games of the season, Genke has seen that work in the weight room pay off, particularly on defense.
“He’s now able to get to balls he wasn’t able to get to,” Genke said. “His range is better. His arm strength is better. His anticipation, the baseball IQ things, because he’s been there and he understands it. Those are things that don’t just happen by accident.
“You have to put in the time and work to get to that point.”
Spring said defense has always been his calling card, especially before filling out his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. In 131 total chances last season, he committed only 10 errors.
That gives pitchers like ace Josh Caccia a lot of confidence.
“It allows me to pitch more freely on the mound,” Caccia said. “I know I can be competitive. Even if I do leak one over the plate, I know I have people behind me that will make the play for me.
“If gives me more confidence on the mound. I’m able to pitch better because of it.”
The North Stars head Monday on a spring break trip to Nashville, where Spring hopes the experience and team bonding helps forge an even deeper relationship among the team.
Once back home, the goals will be the same as they always have been in Genke’s 20-year tenure.
“Our goal is to win a state championship, nothing less than that,” Spring said. “We know it’s one step at a time, but that’s where our head is at.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
