Mike Laster, an assistant coach with the Glenwood Springs High School baseball team the past four seasons, will take the reins as the head coach this spring.

Laster, 27, was hired recently to replace Mike Wild, who coached the Demons for more than a decade.

“He’s got some good ideas and there are going to be changes in the way things are run,” Glenwood athletic director Steve Cable said. “We’re going to change direction not because it was good or bad before, but we have a new Mike with some different philosophies.”

While Laster said the basic philosophies will remain the same, he will stress the fundamentals of pitching and defense. And expect the Demons to play plenty of “small ball” this spring.

“We want to continue to play competitive baseball and be aggressive,” Laster said. “The key in high school baseball is pitching and defense and we’re also going to try to work hand-in-hand with the community and see if, along with the Glenwood Little League program, the high school program can continue to move forward.

“We’re going to be aggressive and play little baseball,” he added. “Baseball is a thinking game. We’re not only going to be looking for the big hit, but we also want to squeeze a few in if we have to.”

Although Laster said the team is still building, he does bring back some returners this spring. Seniors Jeremy Ureche, Tiernan Conway and Seth Smith will be back in the infield and Brian Wren is the returning starting catcher.

The pitchers will be key with Conway and Andrew Blake anchoring the rotation.

“I’m looking for them to step up and hold down that pitching staff,” Laster said.

And in building any team, the younger players will likely play a roll as well.

“This is going to be an interesting year,” Laster said. “We’re not going to necessarily look at whether a player is a junior or senior. We’re going to field the best team we can, regardless of class.”

Cable and Laster, a teacher at Glenwood Springs Middle School, are currently interviewing prospects for an assistant position. Baseball practice officially begins Feb. 18.