Fall ball begins for Big Bend
Full roster of 42 practice for Vikings
MOSES LAKE - The Big Bend Vikings are young.
"In years past I've said we're young in certain positions," said Big Bend head coach Don Lindgren. "But when you only have kids until they're sophomores, you're always young."
Despite the team's youth, Lindgren is expecting the team to play well and hopes to get playing time for the incoming freshman.
With two days of practice under their belts, Lindgren said he was pleased to see the attitude and work ethic the group was exhibiting.
"This group has a great attitude, a great work ethic," Lindgren said. "It's probably the best group we've had in the past five years. Now we just have to see if they can play."
Out of that 42-deep roster, Lindgren is hoping to lean on his returning players to be leaders during the fall ball season. Lindgren is also hoping to clear up some eligibility issues with Washington State University transfer, Matt Oye. "He is a quality young man and a quality player," said Lindgren.
Big Bend is returning most of their starting infield and Lindgren is looking for the Vikings to be tough on defense this fall and again next spring.
Three players Lindgren has his sights set on for great things this season are Ryan Bernson, Jamison Lange and Shawn Hearie. Bernson and Lange, both All-League players, will be headed to the All-Star Game this weekend to represent Big Bend. As for incoming freshman, Lindgren is looking at Casey Day from Davis High School in Yakima and Brandon Jewett from West Valley High School in Yakima.
"Casey is a third baseman and just swings the heck out of it," Lindgren said. "Jewett is a quality player and I'm just hoping to keep him through the spring before some Division I school comes for him."
Another large part of the team are the 18 pitchers and four catchers on the Big Bend roster.
"The key for us is pitching," said Lindgren. "We're hoping to clear up our pitching and catching situation this fall."
Two locals, Chad Hunter and Brandon Price, will be returning to the mound for the Vikings along with a slew of left-handers.
"I'm expecting big things from Hunter and Price," said Big Bend pitching coach Dave Haverlo. "I have a nice collection of upperclassman and incoming freshman. This goal is to get the sophomores to the next level and help the freshman adjust to pitching a wooden bat."
The transition from aluminum to wooden bat is one that Haverlo says is very important. He says he tries to stress that there are benefits to pitching in on a batter, a departure from what pitchers are taught in high school.
"Every baseball player's biggest fear is getting hit by a pitch," said Haverlo. "I try to get pitchers to carry that fear factor to the mound."
Haverlo says he is pleased with the number of players in the bullpen.
"Coaches always say that their pitching staff is the best staff they have ever had but I can say that honestly this is the best and most talented staff assembled from both sides of the diamond," Haverlo said.
Another welcome presence at Big Bend's fall ball practices has been Jason Cooper, a Moses Lake High School graduate now playing Triple A ball in Baltimore for the Cleveland Indians.
"It's great to have Jason here," said Haverlo. "He is one of those unique young men that is willing to give and help others. When he's talking to the team about hitting, the pitchers better be listening."
Cooper said he is working out with the team to get in some sort of formal practice before going to play winter ball in Mexico.
"I just got back not too long ago and started working out here yesterday," Cooper said. "This is my home and growing up Dave and Donnie were really good to me so I like to come back and see them. It's comfortable and fun here."
Haverlo said he was happy to see Cooper and also to have Ryan Doumit stop by to use the weight room and hitting cages in the winter months.
"It's a true barometer that regardless of where you come from, if you're willing to work hard, you can go anywhere," said Haverlo.