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Blue Crabs Launch Another Season
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Blue Crabs Launch Another Season
4/23/2009
By Pete Hurrey
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Today, April 23, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs start their second season at Regency Furniture stadium against the Long Island Ducks. At the team’s media day, TheBAYNET.com was there to talk to a few of the team’s players to get a perspective on the upcoming season. According to Manager, Butch Hobson, the team is ready to go. ”Spring training went well, and we didn’t have any injuries. We have five quality starting pitchers and we’re ready to make a run at the playoffs.”
Hobson stated that in the Atlantic League, the team goal is to win the first half of the season. “If you win one half of the season, you qualify for the playoffs. Getting to the playoff’s is always the goal,” said Hobson.
In a round robin of interviews, TBN managed to talk with quite a few Blue Crabs players. Below is a brief introduction to some of the starters for this year’s team.
Patrick Osborn – Third Base: Osborn admitted to TBN that last year was his first ever exposure to the rigors of AAA ball and he loved every minute of it and is looking for more of the same this season. “Of course my goal is to get the call to the majors, but until then, I hope to be able to help the team win the championship.” Osborn finished the season last year with a batting average over 300, was an end-of-year all-star and MVP.
Jeremy Owens – Center Field: Owens came to the team at the end of May last year and told TBN that the team atmosphere under Hobson is great and he is looking forward to play a full year. “There was a lot of stuff going on here with it being the first year and all, but I’m looking forward to playing this year when we can concentrate on baseball and winning.”
Travis Garcia – Short Stop: Garcia came to the Blue Crabs with only 19 days left in the season last year, but the winning atmosphere and playing for Hobson energized him so much he is looking forward to this full year. “Butch is the best manager I have ever played for in my seven years. He gets us ready to win.”
Chuck Jeroloman – Second Base: This is Jeroloman’s first year with the team, coming over from the CanAm League. “I played against Oz [Osborn] when he was at Florida and am enjoying playing with him this year.” This will be Jeroloman’s sixth year as a professional ball player.
Lance Burkhart – Catcher: Burkhart is playing with the Blue Crabs for the first time and thinks the team has some outstanding pitching which should take the team far. Part of the reason he is excited to be playing for the Blue Crabs is Manager, Butch Hobson. “I’ve played professionally for 13 years and Butch is a best manager I have ever played for. This year should be fun.”
Joe Gannon – Starting Pitcher: This knuckle ball pitcher will be starting the opening game against the Long Island Ducks. Gannon said he has some other pitches, but if hi knuckle ball is on, he is tough to hit. “These catchers can both catch my stuff and with this great infield, my goal is to put the ball into play and let the team do their thing.”
Ryan Bicondoa – Starting Pitcher: Bicondoa is spending his second season with the Blue Crabs and, as all the players interviewed by TBN, he thinks that Butch Hobson is the best manager he has ever played for. He intends to use his devastating sinking fast ball to help the team make the playoffs this time. “I’ll be starting Friday’s game intend to keep them off the base paths as much as I can and hope our bats get going.”
Eddy Rodriguez – Relief Pitcher: Rodriguez has a great 90 to 94 mile per hour fast ball that Hobson can use in middle relief and/or as a set-up man for the team’s closer. “I went 3 and 2 last year and can improve on that.”
Eric Crozier – First Base: This is Crozier’s second year with the Blue Crabs. This year he is making the move from left field to the infield. He said he is completely over his strained Achilles and feels great. Crozier thinks the Blue Crabs infield is one of the best around and that the team should be a great contender this year. When asked about his batting, “I bat left and I learning to be more than a pull hitter. I have switched to amore natural swing that feels great, so this year, the average should come up.”
John Halama – Starting Pitcher: Halama is one of the few Blue Crabs with major league experience, but stated that winning is winning, no matter what level. “If we win the championship, I’ll still let the champagne fly and celebrate. It doesn’t matter what league you’re in,. it feels great to win and we have a chance to do that here under Butch.”
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