In the classic rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama,” Lynyrd Skynyrd sings about skies that are so blue and addresses the state directly, declaring, “I’m coming home to you.” Position players Sam Christiansen, Chase Kroberger and Will Plattner, along with pitcher Luke Smyers, all play baseball at Alabama. However, they left to play under the blue skies of Cotuit, Massachusetts, this summer.
The quartet felt excited when they found out they would be coming to Cotuit together. Plattner arrived first at the end of June, followed by Kroberger. Smyers came up third, and Christiansen brought up the rear due to a leg injury.
As the four arrived at Cotuit one by one, they communicated with each other, asking those already there about the competition and coaching staff.
“I was asking about what the game days are like, what Coach (Rob Cooper) is like, and (Plattner) said he's the man,” Kroberger said. “He's lived up to every part of that. Coop's a great guy to play for, and (I'll remember) some of the stories and lessons he's shared with us for the rest of my career.”
Kroberger left the Kettleers and returned home, but he made the most of his time in Cotuit. He played in 12 games, gaining valuable experience as one of the younger players. He joined Alabama as a freshman in 2026, making six starts and appearing in 26 games.
Smyers is in the same class as Kroberger, and through hanging out in the dorms and experiencing their first year of college together, the two grew close.
“(Smyers and I) were kind of in the same spot with playing time, so we would always talk about what we need to improve upon,” Kroberger said.
Both Kroberger and Smyers emphasized how valuable it was to learn from the older guys on the team, including team captain and catcher Plattner. Plattner has been with Alabama since 2024, and he earns respect from his teammates through his playstyle and work ethic.
“The way he goes about his day-to-day, the grind that he puts in, the hard work… he's just a great leader (and a) great example,” Smyers said.
Another more experienced player is Christiansen, who transferred to Alabama in 2026 after playing at South Mountain Community College from 2023-24 and Oklahoma in 2025.
Both Plattner and Christiansen were redshirt juniors in 2026, but their seasons looked quite different. While Plattner was team captain, Christiansen was sidelined with a leg injury. Still, he received ample time to bond with his teammates.
“I had the entire fall to be with them, and I think being around those guys and not being on the field helped me get to know all the guys a lot better,” Christiansen said. “Those coaches are my family, and my teammates are my brothers.”
The brotherhood is strong, and the Alabama boys have enjoyed their time together in Cotuit. Playing under a respectable coach and in a beautiful part of the country has made for a good experience — “Just having all of us on the field at the same time is pretty special,” Smyers said.
They have also had fun off the field, as they hang out “pretty much every day,” according to Plattner. They can be found watching sports or playing card games like poker.
Lynyrd Skynyrd may have sung, “I miss Alabamy once again,” but Alabama will have to wait. For now, Cotuit is the place to be.
