KANNAPOLIS— Forget the basketball. It’s time to switch your attention to Boll
Weevil baseball.Tonight at
Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium, the sixth edition of the Phillies Class A farm club in Rowan
County will introduce itself to the fans.
The annual open house begins at
5:30. There will be free hotdogs, soda and crackerjacks for all, said general manager Todd
Parnell.
“Last year, we had over 1,300
people at open house,” said Parnell, the popular jack-of-all-trades. “Weather
has a lot to do with it.
“But it gives the fans a
first look at the players in an intimate and informal setting and also, it gives them a
chance to renew old relationships.”
There will be a chance to see
plenty of familiar faces. The most returning Boll Weevils ever — nine — dot the
roster.
Among them are first baseman Nate
Espy and shortstop Ambiorix Reyes.
Eric Schreimann, the bullish
catcher who tied for the lead in home runs with 12 last year, is coming back. Pitchers
Justin Fenus, Matt Bailie and Chris Keelin return.
Jorge Padilla and Shomari Beverly,
who were sent down to Batavia early last season, are back for another try at this level.
Buzz Hannahan and Carlos Acevedo are other faces well-known in these parts.
Another new face is manager Greg
Legg, who moves up with several of his players from Batavia.
“Ithink it’s important
for the fans to get to know Legger,” said Parnell. “They’ll really like his
personality.”
Among the new faces Weevil fans
will get the chance to cheer are Brett Myers, Philadelphia’s No. 1 pick last year. He
could be the leader of the staff.
Or maybe that will be Adam Walker,
the 6-foor-7 giant who threw on Opening Night two years ago. He was 9-7 with Clearwater
last year.
Another veteran from Clearwater,
Ken Westmoreland, comes with Walker. He was 8-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 1999.
The new faces with the biggest
reputations are outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Russ Jacobson.
Byrd hit 13 homers and knocked in
50 runs in just 65 games at Batavia. Jacobson was the catcher for the 1999 national champ
Miami Hurricanes, hitting 14 round-trippers in 40 games before suffering an injury to his
wrist.
The Boll Weevils begin their
season Thursday with a four-game series in Asheville against the Tourists.
The home opener is Monday, April
10, at 6:35 against the Charleston (W.Va.) Alley Cats.
For information on the Boll
Weevils, call 932-3267. |
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