Baseball at RHS has displayed a continuous pattern of improvement in recent seasons with many thanks to Head Varsity Baseball Coach Farron Riggs.

Riggs has been coaching Varsity baseball at RHS for 14 years. He also coached two years of Junior Varsity baseball. Winter training started January third, giving the athletes a healthy start to the New Year. “Considering we are working out three times a week, and practicing once a week, both baseball teams will be real good this year,” said freshman Nicholas Cerdira.

Riggs himself was a three-year varsity started for RHS when he attended high school. Being an All-County and having an All-Met Honorable Mention in 1986, Riggs knows what it takes for RHS to succeed. During his college years, Riggs played two years of baseball at Francis Marion University until he transferred to North Carolina State to play one and a half years of baseball.

Last season, the Rams were ranked 72nd in the state with a win/loss record 11-7-0 improving the 2008 season record, 8-10-0. This year, enthusiasm is high from returning players. Senior Chris Brown will be leading the varsity Rams this year with high hopes for the coming season. “We are going to win the state title, that is what is going to happen,” said Brown.

On January eighth, Saturday morning workouts began at Champions Field House for prospective and returning players. The parents have hired a few coaches to train the athletes until Riggs is allowed to take over in March. The idea is to make sure the players stay shape during the off-season and continue to work on technique. The rams ended with a lot of talent last year and hope to build on that this season.

In an attempt to strengthen the abilities of young players in the Rockville community, Riggs hosted two one-day weekend clinics last March with the help of the Varsity and JV baseball teams. The clinics were open to children of ages ranging five to thirteen years old. They consisted of pitching drills, base running drills, tee work, bunting, a home-run contest, and more.

It is evident that expectations are high this season from baseball coaches and players. “If we just go by paper, we should be pretty gooda�� we are hoping for a real good season,” said Riggs.