Drillers, Oilers to start seasons
After nearly three months, sports in Union County returns tonight with the start of American Legion baseball.
The El Dorado Drillers and El Dorado Oilers will host Arkansas Pulpwood in a doubleheader at Lambert Field with the Drillers taking the field at 5:30 p.m. and the Oilers scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic ended the high school spring sports season back in March, but with restrictions being eased, sports are beginning to make their return.
“We had our first on-field practice this evening (Tuesday) with the Oilers and the Drillers,” coach Greg Harrison said. “You could tell that many of the young men showed up sharp.
“We’ve been working at Game Changers (Sports Academy), hitting in the cage, hitting off of tees, trying to field ground balls where we can, taking bullpens, going out back and throwing long toss.
“It was actually a different setting for them. It was nice to actually be back out on the field, looking at different situational things. Our younger team was really sharp for three months off.
“We made very few mistakes. We have a very thick roster, so it increases the competition level. They were better than what I expected.”
Without much time to get endurance built up, tonight’s games will resemble a spring training game with a heavy number of pitching changes.
“We’re looking at Thursday and Friday,” Harrison said.
“We’re looking at 21 innings over two days. With the younger team, we have 15 pitchers.
“With that being said, a couple of them are going to predominantly play with the Oilers, but for most part, it’s going to be hard to throw 13 young men over seven innings.
“That’s why we’re looking at going over 21 innings. The game plan for Thursday night is to have everybody go just an inning.
“With that being said, if somebody finishes an inning in single digits, there is the high potential that we may have him go out there for a second, but I don’t want anyone throwing no more than 15 to 20 pitches.”
Harrison added that he would like to start each inning with a fresh pitcher.
“We would like to keep the game rolling as quickly as possible because we have a 7:30 game,” Harrison said.
“Traditionally, we’re used to being able to get through six or seven innings in two hours, but if we’re going to be switching pitchers in and out, you definitely don’t want to be holding up the game by doing it mid-inning.
“We hope to start each inning with a fresh pitcher.”