An Interview with Central Private Baseball Coach Jason Kinchen

By Austin Myer

    Central Private is all geared up and ready to meet their opponents for the Spring Season.  Last year they received a new scoreboard, this year they have rebuilt the backstop with a new cinder block wall and new netting.  With the field in great shape, Coach Jason Kinchen, himself a CP baseball alumnus, had this to share about his Rebels:

    “We’ve been practicing since November, though recently we’ve had to battle the weather.  We’ve scheduled two preseason intra-squad scrimmages and a tournament in Franklinton playing against Parklane, Oak Forest, and Silliman.  We have an underclass-laden team with only one senior, Joey Harris.  Last year, the last game of the season was against defending state champion Brookhaven.  We had 3 freshmen and 4 sophomores out on the field.  That experience will help the Rebels this year.”

    Coach Kinchen shared that Junior Seth Stevens, last year’s league MVP, is expected to play a big role for the Rebels this season as well.  “Hitting and defense will be strong for us this year.  We are still looking for a pitcher or two to step up and take the lead,” he stated.  The Rebels will be facing some stiff competition, as the opposition has improved dramatically.  Centerville Academy has an LSU signee, ACCS has a shutdown pitcher they call “Big Country” that can really bring it, and Silliman’s 2nd year coach and Central product Mike Forbes has his team ready to play.”  CPS has 11 state championships, several LSU signees, and innumerable district championships in their past, this year, however, there are no guarantees.  Coach Kinchen says that every team in their district is capable of beating the Rebels.  He will be looking for their young players to play above their years’ experience to repeat as District Champions. 

    Coach Kinchen invites everyone to come out, see some great high school baseball, eat some great food and support your Rebels.  Schedules and other important Rebel information can be found at www.cpsbaseball.com.