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Aggressive since 2008
Swingers
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Welcome to the Site of Swingers Softball!
Swingers Shake up Roster in Hopes of Improving on 2008 Success
After a dramatic late season run that continued into the postseason, the Swingers season came to a close following a late inning come from behind defeat that was handed down by one of the BVSA venerable powerhouses, True Grit. In their inaugural year, the team showed they belonged, taking home a 4th place finish in the BVSA Tournament.
Never one to be satisfied, Coach Spencer Swanson took it upon himself to shake up the roster for the 2009 season with a flurry of key off-season transactions that even Billy Beane would be proud of:
Key Losses:
• In November Swingers catcher Carl Arens (AKA Hot Carl) was sent down to the team’s minor league club in North Carolina on a rehab assignment following severe injuries to not one, but both of his ankles. After a very brief stint Carl was shipped to the team’s AAA affiliate, the Kansas City Royals, where he is said to be progressing nicely.
• During the winter months Coach made a decision he never wanted to make, trading outfielder Joe Adkins to the Elkhart Elephants of the Independent League for a 12-rack of Pabst and a half empty pack of heaters. Although the Club will miss Joe’s speed and aggressiveness on the base path and in the outfield, his addiction to alcohol, dancing, and karaoke, well, come to think of it, those will all be missed too.
• Although he didn't join the team until the midway point of the season, utility infielder Chris Ziebarth played many pivotal roles for Team Swingers before his unexpected early retirement from the game. Most important, was his ability to control the opponents running game by verbally abusing any opposing player who happened to stealing a base, with a barrage of "Seriously?" and "Really?" that would quickly make any base stealer think twice about doing it again. Although not yet confirmed, there are reports coming out of Michigan that Ziebarth is considering making a comeback in the 2009 season.
Key Additions:
• Heath Helgert: Signed with Swinger Nation after his former club, GSK, fell victim to contraction in the off-season. Heath, who in 2008, played extensively for the Swingers down the stretch and during their playoff run, provides gold glove caliber defense at short and an electric bat at the plate.
• Matt Mogan (Mogie): Another excellent steal ("Seriously?" "Really?" you were warned about stealing) from the now defunct GSK team. Mogie will provide needed depth all over the diamond this summer. Projected as the current starting left fielder his versatility could (with the amount the DL was utilized last season, let's just say will) see him playing a multitude of postitions over the course of the year.
• Jon Wickersham: Was signed as a free agent from the not so great State of Oregon. Wickersham will be returning to the field following a couple of years removed from the game. Wickersham is known for his fine glove work and aggressive attitude on and off the field. That aggressive attitude has led to Wickersham being put on a “beer count” early in the season; as he has been known to get drunk quicker than a teenage schoolgirl. Projected as a starting middle infielder, Wickersham hopes to be the missing piece to a Swingers Championship.
Other News:
• Much heralded starting pitcher Tristan “TO” Riddell was heavily shopped during the off-season, but, skill set aside, no team was willing to accept his cancerous attitude in their clubhouse. After hours of closed-door meetings with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, Swingers managment and Riddell were able to reach an agreement on a 1-year incentive laden contract. Coach Swanson has demanded that “TO” change his ways, and has notified him that among other things, his glove throwing antics of a season ago will not be tolerated!!!
"TO" Riddell during a "press conference" last off-season
Some of the crew that took the league by storm to finish 4th in the BVSA postseason tournament
Soon to be filled trophy case...
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