4/12/09: 2009 PREVIEWS

RANGERS PREVIEW
Veteran club leaning on experience to get to the top
   The Dayton Rangers, entering their 13th season in the MVABL, are 24 wins shy of 200 victories in league play (including playoffs). And unless the team can reel off W's at a record pace, this milestone may have to wait until next season.
   Coach Jonmarc Lippincott has brought back three former Rangers in the hopes that the added experience will get them to the championship series in '09. Shawn Schmitt returns to the MVABL only 38 strikeouts short of surpassing Astros great Tony Walters for most all-time in MVABL history. His left-handed presence on the mound will be squeezed into the rotation between righties Jacob Robinson and Brad Clark. Newcomer Brandon Howard, Jared Bradley, and Josh Rayburn will each take turns in relief.
   Around the infield: Shawn Schmitt and James Robinson will share time at 1B, alongside super-sub Joe Staten. Jared Bradley and Jelani Arnold will split time at 2B. Jonmarc, Jacob, Brandon, and Steve Marshall will see time at SS. The hot corner will be anchored by Brad Clark and newcomer Robert Riley. Shane Fallen looks to continue hosing down base runners behind the plate, with backup support from James Robinson.
   Clint Wolf will continue to prowl around centerfield, with corner help from returnee Jake Kingsolver and Jacob Robinson, Bradley, and Marshall.
   The Rangers are looking forward to an exciting year of friendship, fellowship, and baseball.

ROYALS PREVIEW
Royals Attempt a Three-Peat
   The Boys in Blue are filled with optimism for the 2009 season as they are returning 12 of their 14 core players from last season’s Championship squad.
   Around the infield, Shawn Rudegeair and Tim Peffley will again be on tap for the corners, and in the middle, Tim “Smooth as Butter” Biedenharn and Brian “New Arm” Duffy welcome Chris Tipton to the mix. Tipton joins the squad for his rookie season after his 4-year stint with Capital University. The outfield platoon is filled with 5 returning veterans: Kevin Reynolds, Eric Jameson, Brenden Regan, Brett Reasoner, and Jesus Velasquez III. Rookie Jeff Benhase will join the OF rotation. The Royals hope that Benhase’s bat can help replace the void left by Ben Ailes’ absence in the middle of the order.
   Royals skipper and veteran catcher, Mark Franklin, has a barrage of arms available for the hill at any time. Most notable off the hill, returning veterans Jason Holmberg and Scott Falkowski lead the crew. Holmberg led the team in victories and strikeouts in 2008, and Falkowski’s 2.86 ERA was the lowest in team history. Reynolds and Reasoner also had a great season recording 4 wins apiece. And the Royals hope Regan, who gained his control and accuracy late, picks up right where he ended the 2008 season. Rookies Tipton and Benhase also hope to keep the opposing batters guessing as they take the mound for their first times this season.
   At the plate, the Royals offense exploded in 2008. Six Royals belted a total of 14 home runs, most in team history, led by Tim “Downtown” Peffley’s 5 bombs. Also at the plate, Rudegeair and Reynolds tied for the lead in ABs with 101. As well as leading in total at-bats, Reynolds led the team on the base paths with 16 stolen bases, and with a team best .466 AVG, 34 RBIs, and 11 doubles, Velasquez was always a threat with runners in scoring position.
   As opening days gets closer, the Boys in Blue are looking forward to defending their title and playing some great baseball this season.
SHOCKERS PREVIEW
Shockers looking to do just that
   With much awaited anticipation, the Warren County Shockers are eagerly awaiting April 19th, Opening Day. With a core group of returning veterans mixed in with some new faces, the Shockers will look to improve on their nine win season from a year ago. First year skipper Thomas Fluty will look to his veterans to take the lead and finish those close games that were lost last year.
   Jeff Cherry, Damon Barr and company will look to head up a deep rotation on the mound. Starters will look to be veterans Cherry and Barr while mixing in flame throwing newcomer Casey Middleton and lefty Kevin Roth.
   With some much added depth on the mound the Shockers will rotate returning all-star Taylor Hause into the line up as well as Randy Haines, Ryan Diehl and left handed newbie Josh Ballard.
   Behind the plate will be veteran backstop Chris Kuhn. Fluty could see some action behind the plate here and there if Kuhn needs a break on those hot summer days. First base will be a rotation between Barr and Ballard. Depending on which one is pitching the other will fill in. Bringing up the middle will be two newcomers to the league. Second base will be occupied by Springboro native Chad Paden while the first round pick Jeremiah Rodriguez will head up short. Moving back to his old position at the hot corner after a year at short will be Doc Hayes. The move back to familiar territory for Hayes will complete the infield. The outfield will be stocked with talent this season, Hause will be running center while Randy Haines will cover left. Ryan Diehl will look to shake off a season ending injury from last year and complete the outfield taking over right field. Josh Allen will join the Shockers once he is done with his college season. Allen will look to DH and roam the outfield.

DRAGONS PREVIEW
Dragons looking to turn it around this year
   In 2009, the Dragons look to rebound off what some would say a disappointing season. The expansion Centerville Dragons formed by former Springfield Indians catcher Ryan Kreitzer, won only a mere one game due to a forfeit. Still the entire Dragons team will tell you they did not win a game all season. Still able to make it to the playoffs by a forfeit in the play-in game against the Aviators, the Dragons lost in the first round to the Dayton Astros in a close game one and a blow out of game two.
   Early into 2009 spring training for the Dragons, things looked to be the same as from where they left off when owner Ryan Kreitzer, unable to fulfill his duties, turned over the reins to 2008 runner up coach of the year Scott Jones. Jones did not waste anytime getting to work and getting his team working together and making big changes all around. The city of Centerville was dropped as the home destination of the Dragons and changed with Miami Valley. Along with a name change, a new logo and new jerseys hope to give the team a fresh look, and not to be confused with the minor league Dayton Dragons.
   Along with the new name and look, the Dragons had first pick in the 2009 MVABL Draft selecting Miamisburg high school infielder Chris Flaherty. Chris wouldn’t be the only new face; he is followed by INF Ryan Smith, UTIL Cloyd Mciver, OF Dan Yohey, INF Jonathan Rose, and P/UTIL Brian Bay all of whom are rookies to the MVABL. Also looking to make a spot in the starting two-man starting pitching rotation, the Dragons picked up P/OF Reis Pearson from the Rangers.
   Among the fresh faces, the Dragons have 8 returning veterans in 2009. Leading the way for the vets is 2008 All Stars 3B Scott Jones and SS Aaron Brown. Following them is newly named assistant coach C/UTIL Justin McCollum, ace Dustin Cope, CF Brian Spears, OF Seth Bischoff and brother Aaron Bischoff; and looking to rebound off a injury-plagued season due to a couple of car accidents 1B Nate King.
   The two-man pitching rotation looks to be Dustin Cope and spot 2 is still open. Competing for that spot is #1 draft pick Chris Flaherty and Reis Pearson and newly acquired Brian Bay. In relief this year, Aaron Bischoff, Scott Jones, and Seth Bischoff. Looking to take on the closing role is Aaron Brown.
   With turning the franchise around this year, the Dragons will be looking to have a lot of fun during the 2009 season and will be a great team to watch.