Credit to Samantha Shoulta

On Wednesday, April 1, varsity boys baseball faced off against Parkway West at Francis Howell Central’s home field.

From a passionate baseball player to now Coach, Mike Freedline has helped shape the Francis Howell North baseball team in many ways. After taking over the head coaching position in 2023, he has grown the program and created a welcoming environment for all inspired players.

“He is very smart and knows what he is doing,” senior Caden Ziha said, “He sticks to the quieter side but is never nervous because he definitely knows what he is doing and has intentions with everything he does.”

As a coach, it is important to have athletes and leaders help with the team atmosphere and build a stronger team bond. These past few years, many athletes have stepped up next to Freedline and set an example for the team.

“I expect them [leaders] to make everybody accountable for being there on time and doing the right thing during the game and helping after the games,” Freedline said.

This allows the coaches to also hear from the players’ perspective during the games and practices. As this is a huge aspect it also helps that most teammates will adhere to their teammates’ comments and requests.

”I let them talk more because they’ll listen more from an older player than they will from a coach,” Freedline said.

But his impact goes far beyond the field. As a multi-sport coach, business teacher and club representative, Freedline is involved in many parts of the high-school experience.

”He teaches in a way that all of his students understand, as well as are engaged,” co-worker, Lexi Rupp said, “That can be hard sometimes, so I think he’s an exceptional teacher, who I look up to and hopefully be as good as him someday.”

As much as many see him as a fantastic teacher, he is also able to create strong connections with students. This allows students to feel comfortable in all aspects of school when he is present.

”He always encourages his students to succeed,” Rupp said, “He is also somebody that you can go to talk to whenever, and I hear from my students that they have fun in his classes.”

With baseball being a very competitive sport with team effort that requires a lot of communication and camaraderie. It is also so fun and inviting for athletes to participate and for an audience to watch.

”I just like to see the kids have fun,” Freedline said, “They’re making it more of a family atmosphere by doing more things outside of baseball.”

With a change in staff, it can be hard to tell the difference it is going to make. However, according to Rupp, Freedline has made a difference by creating a space where all students and athletes feel welcome and accepted.

“There is a new feeling,” Ziha said, “You can feel that everyone truly wants to be there.”