Swinging Into Action
New Season of Baseball at Manteca High School, What to Expect?
Jimmy Burns standing at the diamond as he takes his swing at the baseball at Tokay High baseball field on February 20, 2026, in Lodi, CA. (Photo contributed)
By MAKAYLA SPENCER
The Tower
MANTECA – As the 2026 baseball season nears, Manteca High School’s baseball team is gearing up for a fresh start, with a strong focus on teamwork, leadership, and growth.
The players are not only working to sharpen their skills on the field but also to build a strong team dynamic. With the new season now in play, they’re determined to come together as a unit, learning from each other and pushing toward success.
Among the standout players are Jimmy Burns, a driven junior whose passion and energy inspire his teammates, and Noah Navarro, a senior whose leadership and experience plays a crucial role in guiding the team. Coach Ruiz is focusing on more than just wins and losses this season; it’s about each player growing as an individual and as part of a greater whole.
The Manteca High School baseball team is back, and 2026 promises to be a season of redemption and growth. After a strong 21-8 finish last year, the Buffs fell just short in the playoffs, leaving them hungry for more but as they step onto the field this season, they’re not looking back.
With a 7-0 record in preseason play, the team is off to a hot start, led by 8 dedicated seniors who are determined to make their mark. The leadership of players like Jimmy Burns, a passionate junior, and Noah Navarro, a seasoned senior, is already evident as the team gears up for a shot at the postseason. Coach Ruiz is emphasizing teamwork and development, knowing that this year is about more than just victories—it’s about building a legacy that lasts.
Jimmy Burns states that the team is feeling good about the season, keeping their expectations high, hoping to get 1st VOL. Noah Navarro added how he felt about the new season saying, “I feel good about the 2026 season so far, being 6-0 has showed our coaches and other teams that we are a winning team”. Coach Ruiz is happy with how the season is going so far. “We’re 6-0, and we’ve built great team chemistry. Our offense, defense, and pitching have all been strong.” With a solid start, he’s confident the team can keep improving as they head into the rest of the season.
Heading into the new season, Jimmy Burns believes their biggest strength is their bond; “growing up, we all played together on different travel teams, making it easy for us to connect in high school”. Noah Navarro feels the team’s chemistry is one of their biggest strengths this season. “I think we have a good team, and the chemistry is great. We all have a good time together, laugh, and just enjoy being around each other. There’s a strong brotherhood, and with that bond I believe we can accomplish a lot this year.” Coach Ruiz is pleased with the team’s chemistry so far this season; he believes the players have built up a strong bond, which has been a key factor in their success. Each player enjoys each other's company, and the positive atmosphere has helped them come together both on and off the field.
Noah Navarro highlighted that the team is focused on improving their hitting. While progress has been slow, he’s confident that with continued hard work, they’ll get there. “We just have to keep putting in the effort and stay focused.” Coach Ruiz noted that one area of improvement is maintaining energy throughout the entire game. While the team has been able to build leads, they’ve occasionally struggled to keep that momentum in the later innings.
As the 2026 season unfolds, we see more and more action from the boys’ baseball program, and with being 6-0 so far it seems we’re promised a great season. With a group of dedicated seniors and promising underclassmen, the Buffs are aiming to turn their preseason success into a deep playoff run. As Coach Ruiz put it, "We’ve got the talent and the right mindset. If we stay focused and keep improving, we’re going to make this season something special."