The players of Fritz’s team put their hands in before taking the field for a game. Photos by Michael Schweitzer.

The intensity is as strong as ever.

Only instead of chasing Big 12 championships and NCAA tournament appearances, this team is in hot pursuit of snacks and juice boxes.

Leading the way is Kansas State volleyball coach Suzie Fritz, who has traded in the hardwood for the dirt of the baseball diamond and the chance to coach a group of 5-year-old boys in a summer of T-ball.

Fritz congratulates Darius O’Connell after he scored a run. Fritz coaches her son’s team, the Giants. Photos by Michael Schweitzer.

"The key to t-ball is snacks," Fritz said. "Just kind of organizing them, what order we're going to hit in and sit in is key too. But most of the time, snacks is the highlight of every game."

Fritz signed on for summer T-ball so she could coach her son Jake, who plays for the Giants. She coached her oldest son T.J. a few years ago.

"I won't have too many opportunities to coach my boys, so I'm really enjoying this," she said. "This is an opportunity for me to spend time with him and give him a good first experience in sports.

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