RAWHIDE’S GOT RAW TALENT

The 2009 season starts tonight in Lake Elsinore with big leaguer Max Scherzer on the mound.

By Andrew Marden
VSP Senior Writer

VISALIA, Calif- Another year, another crop of fresh-faced, eager-eyed youths with the optimism that they can do no wrong.

That’s single-A baseball for you.

And that’s exactly what second-year manager Mike Bell notices about his players.

“Guys on this team have a ton of energy and it’s kind of spreading throughout the clubhouse,” smiles the son of former major leaguer Buddy Bell. “I just think the excitement of the players and the energy that they have is our biggest plus.”

Of the 25 players on this year’s roster, eight saw time in Visalia last season. Of course, the team was known as the “Oaks” in 2008. Now it’s the “Rawhide.”

“I heard there were some mixed emotions early on,” said Bell. “I don’t blame people, I’m a traditionalist too. But I think with the stadium and everything they’ve done here, I think it gives us a fresh look.”

In addition to the new red-and-black color scheme, there’s the barn in right center field (which is in play) as well as a brand-new brick building down the right field line. That houses the new Dugout Club.

“You come down Giddings Street and last year you could almost see all the way to our clubhouse through the field, the structure wasn’t up,” adds Bell. “There’s a lot of excitement with the new facilities and with the hard work they put in.”

Now it’s time for the players to put in their own hard work.

The team arrived in town earlier this week and has a quick turnaround: the season opens Thursday at Lake Elsinore.

“Playing professional baseball is a grind. Every day in, every day out, you just gotta stay positive and stay strong throughout the season,” says outfielder Ollie Linton. “This is my first full season, I’m excited to get it going.”

Adds Bell, “I think everybody’s just excited to come here and play some games that count and start competing.”

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