The baseball team has powered its way to a 5-6 record thus far in the 2025 season. Although its record might not be stellar, there is a reason. The program has gone through a coaching change. Led by new head coach Jack McCann, alongside assistant coaches Dylan Brittle, Dillom Armstrong, Richard Prisanzana, and Jack McCann’s father, Jack McCann, the entire staff has shifted.
Head Coach Jack McCann played four years of Division-III baseball at the US Merchant Marine Academy, graduating in 2022. He coaches the Ascent Athlete Baseball Organization. He was hired to coach Ford’s baseball this fall.
According to Sixth Form captain Kevin Li, the team culture has shifted as well.
“It’s a little different. However, everyone loves [Coach McCann]. Even though we have a new coach, the team feels like home, and it feels right. Lots of stuff carried over, though. Competing at a high level. Baseball is always just baseball,” Li said.
To foster team connections, the team has done several events together, including dinners and bowling. Coach McCann even held a team barbecue.
“We are a lot closer. A big thing for the team is to be really supportive and positive. Put a smile on your face, because if you’re negative, that energy is going to pass off,” said Li.
“I believe in the development of the whole athlete, not just the baseball player.”
Jack McCann
Coach McCann explained his coaching philosophy.
“I believe in the development of the whole athlete, not just the baseball player. Success isn’t measured solely by a win-loss record, but also by the type of people who graduate from the program. We will make difficult practices that force uncomfortable situations onto the athlete, so they are forced to grow,” Coach McCann said.
After a tough start to the season, the team is on the rise.
“As a team, we started a bit slow. We are getting into Inter-Ac playing. We are preparing for it very well. I think we have a chance to do very well,” Li said.
Sixth Former Zac Fuscaldo agrees. “Not all games are a reflection of record. Trending upward. Hitting pitching. Perfect timing. We barely lost to Penn Charter 5-3.”
Coach McCann highlights the bright spots of the early challenges. “We are playing a lot of young guys, there are lots of contributions. Fifth Former Jaiden Riviera has five runs. We are also getting a great senior campaign from Sixth Former Patrick White. Third Former Owen Murphy is great from the mound,” Coach McCann said.
Looking at the rest of the competition, Li believes that Fords can go toe to toe with any of them.
“The Inter-Ac is always very strong. Malvern is pretty strong this year. They are the best team according to others. [But] we have had a chance two years in a row. We beat them in the state final three years ago. People make them seem like a David and Goliath story, when it’s actually more level,” Li said.
Fuscaldo adds another team to the danger list, “Penn Charter is really good. I still think we can beat anyone,” Fuscaldo said.
“Just keep doing the right thing. Keep trying to come together as a group, and we will succeed.”
Zach Fuscaldo
The attention now centers on the final stretch and the playoffs.
“We are continuing to work day after day. We are working to build a culture of hard-working young men who want to get better every single day,” Coach McCann said.
“We must approach with resilience,” Li said. “We will not win every game. We need to make sure we bounce back and learn from it, and we need to make sure it is in the past.”
“We need to do it positively,” Fuscaldo said. “Just keep doing the right thing. Keep trying to come together as a group, and we will succeed.”
