Iowa Lakes Community College head baseball coach Danny Acosta has recently talked to Baseball Trenches about his experience, as a player and coach, and the expectations for the 2021 spring season. 

You got a good mixture of guys from all over the place on your 2021 roster. Have you had a chance to get them all together yet? How is it bringing so many cultures together on a JUCO club?

"Diversity is a great thing to have a clubhouse. Makes things fun and challenging at the same time. During the fall the functionality of the program was great and there were no issues." said Acosta "I believe when you present the playing field and bring clarity to your expectations things will flow better. Just tonight, we started our training in preparation for the 2021 season and it was fun to see the boys back in action. I believe we have great camaraderie among the program and hope to see that relationship get even better as time moves on."

You even got a French Outfielder out of the Baseball Toulouse Academy by the name of Jimmy Mapakou. How did you find him, and what are the skill sets that attracted you to him?

Coach Acosta stated, "Jimmy is a power outfielder with exceptional defensive abilities. He is one of the fastest players I've coached. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield. A menace on the base-path, we are hoping for a big season from Jimmy. He is a returner and was here before I was named head coach. I know he came from Arizona Western College as a transfer student."

What sort of expectations do you have on your pitching staff? You have some big guys on that staff. Have you seen them all throw yet? So far, what have you seen?

"I am very pleased with our pitching staff. Last fall we pitched very well, and they gave us the opportunity to be there at the end." Acosta has stated, "I believe if we can repeat what they did in the fall,  we will have the opportunity to compete and be there at the end. So, far so good!"

You will be working with new Coaches in Dakota Young and Kyle Houts. How did they come into the picture and how has it been getting acquainted with them?

"Coach Young and Coach Houts came through our Graduate Assistant opportunity. I hired them last summer to come here and further their coaching careers and help our student-athletes get better. The process of adaptation to coaching style I think has gone very well and easy. They are true professionals and have been instrumental to me so far." Coach Acosta stated. 

Overall, what do you expect the 2021 season to look like for you guys?

Coach Acosta answered, "This is our first year back. We want to put on a good show,  compete, have fun, and surprise a few programs out there. We want to play clean, hard and win some games!

PHOTO: Photo of Danny Acosta attached.

MEDIA: For more information about Danny Acosta, and the full article through Baseball Trenches please click here or contact the Iowa Lakes Sports Information Office at (712) 362-7928.