BY BRIAN FEESSouthern Tier Sports Report
SOUTHPORT — It was just four years ago that Cam Johnson was at Notre Dame preparing for his senior season with the Crusaders.
This week he’s back on the field, but this time he’s the Crusaders coach.
“I have learned a lot through my past,” Johnson said. “Brad Bellinger helped me out, he paved the way for me for sure. All credit to him for sure. We are just out here grinding, getting ready for the baseball season.”
If the Johnson name seems familiar, it should. Cam’s aunt is Stacy Johnson, the legendary softball coach at Corning Community College. Cam’s uncle is Ryan Johnson, the former Elmira High School boys’ basketball coach.
“My family, just like Brad Ballinger, has paved a path for me," Johnson said. "My aunt is up at Corning right now. She's doing amazing, 15 coaches of the year (awards). Ryan Johnson, who is a former basketball coach over at Elmira paved a lot of ways for me, for sure. I definitely have been using my resources."
With an aunt who is one of the best softball coaches in the country, Johnson definitely tries to get advice from her whenever he can.
“All the time, any family event we areat I’m picking her brain, for sure,” Johnson said.
And, all Johnson wants is to have a little of the success that his aunt has had.
“Only a fraction, that’s what we all pray for,” Johnson said.
And, Johnson knows it wasn’t too long ago that he was in the same spot as these kids.
“Not too long ago, but this is all about these kids now,” he said.
It’s special for the Crusaders to be outside at the start of practices.
“It’s great, what is this, March 11 and we are out playing baseball on the turf,” Johnson said. “It’s awesome.”
For Johnson he’s taking over a team that is coming off winning a sectional title.
“It’s a lot of pressure, big shoes to fill for sure,” Johnson said. “I think we are ready. I feel like we have more to come.”
There are some shoes to fill on the roster as well with Luke Richards graduating after an all-state season last year.
“We are missing a horse for sure,” Johnson said. “We are missing Luke. He’s going to be missed, for sure. But, I think we can pick up some of the slack.”
And, while the pitching will be younger, the lineup should score plenty of runs this year.
“OUr offense is going to be very powerful,” Johnson said. “I think 1-9 can all hit this year. We have 15 kids on the roster, but we are ready to go.”
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
