Rays trainer works with Braden River

BRADEN RIVER — Braden River High senior co-captain Ryan Fischer had no idea who Ron Porterfield was four months ago.

The name rang no bells.

But that quickly changed last October, when the Tampa Bay Rays head athletic trainer showed up for one of the Pirates preseason conditioning workouts. Fischer and his teammates not only learned who Porterfield was but also what it takes to compete at the Major League level.

“It’s been cool to spend time with the trainer and to be able to do what they do at (Tropicana Field),” Fischer said. “It’s been exciting. He brings excitement and makes everything fun. Running is (horrible) in every way, but he makes it fun for us and comes up with ways for us to compete and stuff with each other.”

Looking to give back to the school where his son, Alec, is now a freshman, Porterfield agreed to work with the Pirates to help improve their overall strength and conditioning.

“They asked me if I might be interested in helping out, and I said ‘Absolutely,’” Porterfield said.

Porterfield began working with the players for about two hours four days a week, focusing on strength and conditioning drills.

“It’s basic strength and conditioning,” Porterfield said. “It’s what we do, but on a milder scale. They’re doing great, though.”

During each workout, Porterfield provided the players with a variety of exercises incorporating agility, change in direction, quick feet, total body strength and the core. In addition, Porterfield spent time working with the players in the weight room to help improve their overall strength.

“He brings a lot of energy to everything,” senior co-captain Kevin Dillingham said. “When it’s time to run, it’s like, ‘Alright, we get to go with coach Porterfield.’ Anytime you have a Major League guy around and have the opportunity to ask questions and pick his mind … having him out here has been great.”

Since Porterfield began working with the Pirates, the players and coaches have noticed a difference in their ability to get to balls quicker and finish games. As a result, Braden River is a perfect 4-0 to start the season.

“He’s made a huge difference,” coach Mike Verrill said. “We’ve won all four of our games, and that’s a direct result of their conditioning. They’re learning to play the game the right way.

“You can know all there is to possibly know about baseball, but if you can’t get to the ball, that doesn’t do you any good,” Verrill said. “He’s probably going to make our season. They’re beginning to understand the process to be really good doesn’t happen by accident.”

Porterfield plans to continuing working with Braden River as long as his schedule allows.

“I just want them to take away a love for the game and realize what it takes talent-wise to play at the collegiate level or professionally, and body-wise, what you have to put in to get something out of it,” Porterfield said. “I hope to teach them a couple of things most (players) never have the privilege of learning at this age.”

And the players are looking forward to continuing to work with Porterfield as long as the opportunity presents itself.

“He’s taught us to just be excited about everything,” Fischer said. “It’s going to end one day, so right now we just need to live it up and enjoy it.”

“I don’t think we would be the team that we are without him,” Dillingham said. “Last year, we were tired at the end of games, and we weren’t focused on our training. Now we’re excited and we all want to be here. He brought that the first day he came out, and it’s still here today.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].