Introductions out of the way
Mavericks practice, get ready for Thursday’s season opener at Athletic Park
As far as first days go, Monday was pretty standard for the Medicine Hat Mavericks.
A couple players were still en route, there was lots of chatter as teammates and coaches introduced themselves, and the team went through some of the basics knowing opening day isn’t far off.
Most of all, there was an aura of excitement at Athletic Park as the Western Major Baseball League team heads into its 16th season — and 10th under owner Greg Morrison.
“I’m just excited, it seems to be a good bunch of guys, should be a fun season,” said outfielder Jaxson Hooge, one of eight returnees to the team. “You get to play on this beautiful field, get to play for this awesome organization and honestly, just get to play more baseball.”
Hooge, now finished his college baseball career at Tabor College in Kansas, plans to enjoy every inning this summer since he knows his time in the league is also coming to an end. The WMBL only allows college-eligible players in its woodbat league but the graduated seniors come without any program looking over their shoulder.
“It’s good to finally see some faces instead of just names on pieces of paper,” said returning pitching coach Kyle Swannack, who prioritized seniors in his off-season scouting. “It’s a different feel. These guys are more talkative, more communicative, they’re not to themselves and little cliques, they’re very open.”
Seniors are spread out between position players and pitchers. Aside from Hooge there’s returning centre-fielder David Salgueiro and newcoming infielder Zach Gray. Returning pitcher Jared Libke is done his college career and should get the start in Thursday’s home opener against Brooks, while Japanese hurler Jumpei Akanuma and Sean Cruz from Guam add some international flair.
As for the rest of the returnees, pitchers Barry Caine and hometown boy Nathan Stark came out of the bullpen last year, catcher Colton Wright is already taking a leadership role while infielders Louie Canjura and Nolan Rattai — who last played for his hometown Mavs two seasons ago — provide intriguing options for head coach Andrew Murphy.
Murphy served as an assistant under Michael Thompson last year and returns alongside Swannack and Morrison, who might be the owner but is also the general manager and a part-time batting coach given his professional pedigree.
A surprise addition to the coaching staff is Fehlandt Lentini, who Morrison played with 13 years ago in Calgary. Lentini, 40, played 17 years as a pro and brings an incredible amount of experience to the bench.
On Day 1 they were all getting a sense for what the Mavericks are going to look like for the next two months. As always at this time of year, there was lots of optimism.
“Just to learn from everybody out here, and obviously to win, bring a championship for everybody on this team,” said Mike Conn, a sophomore outfielder from Tennessee. “I was excited about the weather because I knew it would be 75 (Farenheit) and sunny most of the time.”
Conn was sold on his first trip to Canada by fellow Tennesseean and exMavericks star Blake Rowlett, who then gave him Wright’s number for the final pitch. So far, so good. “He said everybody was great here,” said Conn. “I got here the 26th, took the shuttle with two other guys and we talked all the way here.”
The Mavericks have their annual Fan Fest from 5-7 p.m. tonight, with live music, bouncy castles and a clown for the kids and a full concession menu open as a backdrop for fans to meet and greet the players. Only two had yet to arrive as of Monday night, but again, that’s par for the course.
“We have those guys that are serious enough, they’re good baseball players, and they also care enough to understand what we’re trying to get done here,” said Swannack. “That’s all we can ask for.”