Three Maryville players join Junior Mustangs team
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St. Joseph Junior Mustangs’ Sam Steinmeyer pitches in the seventh inning of a game against the St. Joseph Storm on Friday. He worked one inning and didn’t give up a run.
ST. JOSEPH — Most high school baseball players want a place to call home in the summer when school-sanctioned activities stop.
Maryville’s Sam Steinmeyer, Chase Staples, and Cameron Staples are keeping busy and honing their skills with the St. Joseph Junior Mustangs this summer.
The team played its season opener on Friday, a 7-2 win over the St. Joseph Storm.
Steinmeyer, a middle relief pitcher, is in his second season with the team while Chase and Cameron Staples are playing on the team for the first time.
Steinmeyer talked about the benefits of playing on such a team in the summer.
“You never want to get out of the habit of playing baseball,” Steinmeyer said. “You always want to keep working, especially in the offseason. Summer baseball is a lot of fun, but it also helps you in the process of continuing to get better.”
The Junior Mustangs are made up of 15 players from six different high schools, most from the Midland Empire Conference.
Chase Staples said playing with guys who have been opponents for so long is a different feeling at first.
“You talk a lot of smack on them, and then all of a sudden you’re basically best friends,” he said. “All the guys are pretty cool so far.”
Junior Mustangs coach Scott Bush talked about what each Maryville player can bring to the table.
“Sam can get us some innings out of the bullpen and get us some outs,” he said. “Cameron, I haven’t seen him pitch yet, but he had a real good game at first base, and he’ll be playing third and first for us. From a hitting standpoint, he’ll bat in the middle of the lineup. Chase will be one of our utility guys. He’ll catch for us and play some outfield. He’ll be one of those glue guys who can do a little of everything for us.”
The Junior Mustangs program, which played its season opener at Missouri Western’s Spring Sports Complex, will do plenty of traveling throughout the course of the season.
Cameron Staples said it’s good to get the exposure.
“You get to play against better competition and possibly get some looks from college scouts,” he said. “You never know who’s watching.”
There are other perks as well.
While the team isn’t a direct feeder program to the St. Joseph Mustangs, they are loosely affiliated.
Members of the Junior Mustangs are allowed clubhouse access with the Mustangs and are also granted a few batting practice opportunities with the team throughout the season.
The Junior Mustangs are in their seventh year of operation.
DAVID MERRILL/DAILY FORUM
St. Joseph Junior Mustangs’ Chase Staples swings at a pitch against the St. Joseph Storm on Friday.
DAVID MERRILL/DAILY FORUM
St. Joseph Junior Mustangs first baseman Cameron Staples walks off the field after helping record an out at first base during a game against the St. Joseph Storm on Friday.
