There is a new team in town.

Barrington Middle School started a baseball team this spring, a year after the school started a softball team. 

“It’s just great that they started this up,” said seventh-grader Luke Fluet. “It’s nice to have a practice after school every day, and games. It’s really fun.”

Fluet is one of the nearly two dozen players on the first-year team. He pitches, catches, and plays first and third. 

“We’re pretty good. 3-0 to start the season,” he said. 

Jeff Blanchet, a math teacher at Barrington Middle School, is head coach of the baseball team. He said BMS has a nine-game schedule this season, and opened with wins over Providence Country Day School, Riverside Middle School, and Martin Junior High. 

“We’ve been able to get everyone in and cycle everyone through. And be competitive,” Blanchet said. 

The team has students from all three grades at the middle school. 

“We’re at 20 active players at the moment,” he said. “So, trying to rotate and have everyday 13 kids in the lineup. Unfortunately, every other game some guys are out.”

Blanchet said he was excited to step in as head coach.

“First year of the program, we want it to be successful, be very inclusive, get everyone together, probably have a large team but not cut anyone right away,” he said. “Moving forward, I don’t think we’re going to do cuts necessarily but the one question that comes up is: Do we do (Grades) six, seven and eight? Because right now we’re doing six, seven, eight. I also don’t want it to get in the way of Little League.”

Blanchet said the team has found a nice balance with Barrington Little League. It practices right after school at the large baseball diamond located on-campus. Practices and games are usually over before Little League action begins around 5:30 or so. 

Blanchet praised the contributions of assistant coach Jared Cardoza and George Promades. He has also been pleased with his team’s effort this season. 

“We have an awesome group of guys. Especially the last couple of games, whenever we put somebody in off the bench … they’re stepping up. Everyone’s got each others’ back,” Blanchet said. “If someone’s struggling on the mound, the next person comes in … it’s great team togetherness.”