May 24, 2018 at 5:33 p.m.
Rockets open season tonight
Portland Rockets
Rockets open season tonight
The road back to the world series begins tonight.
The Portland Rockets open their 59th season at 7:15 p.m. tonight against the Fort Wayne Jackers at Carrington Field.
“Coming into this year we’ve got a lot of new faces, a lot of new pitchers and we’re trying to re-establish the entire team with a couple veteran guys coming back,” said Mitch Waters, 34, the team’s captain and longest-tenured player.
Portland finished 35-12 last year, including a berth in the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Rockets won their first two games of pool play to qualify for the single-elimination tournament. Their season ended with a 6-1 loss in the quarterfinal, marking just the second time in six weeks they had lost consecutive games.
But Waters admits getting back won’t be easy.
“It’s hard to build off [last year] with all the new faces, but I think with our tradition and such we can pass that on as veterans and hopefully get these guys ready to go,” he said.
Waters, who pitched in the past for Portland before suffering a shoulder injury and being regulated to the field, returned to the mound during the regional tournament last year.
After a throwing session Sunday, he’s ready to take to the rubber again.
“Felt pretty good,” he said. He’s slated to start the second game of a doubleheader in the Rockets’ home opener Saturday at 1 p.m. at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field.
“Coming off a great season,” Portland manager Randy Miller said of Waters. “Found his pitching savvy back in his return and he’ll be a man we lean on heavily in the course of the year.”
Zach Tanner is back in the meat of the lineup with Waters, and he’ll hold down the shortstop position once again. He’s coming off a year during which he made the world series all-tournament team.
Dalton Tinsley, who has anchored the top of the lineup and center field, will play as his work schedule allows.
Other returning position players include outfielder Tristen Becker, infielders Dustin Lewis, Chris Miller and Rico Acosta and catcher Cody Krumlauf.
“Withouthim it’s very difficult to handle our pitchers and we are blessed to have him back,” Miller said of Krumlauf.
Portland will be without longtime hurler Dan Bollenbacher, who decided to hang up his cleats.
“Always was an iron horse so it’s hard to replace a guy that’s been doing it for so long,” Waters said.
To fill his void, the Rockets will rely on a young group of pitchers, including tonight’s starter Derek Thobe, a Coldwater native. The pitching staff outside of him and Waters includes Garrett Scott, ZachSchort , Chase Ruiz and former Jay County Patriot Chandler Jacks.
Max Habegger, a Carmel native and relative of Berne residents who is completing his freshman season at Lipscomb, is set to return to the rotation in July after he takes some time off to rehab an injury.
Newcomers to the team will be Coldwater native Malave Bettinger, former UNOH Racer Austin Bueter (RHP) and Justin Greene, an outfielder who played at Carmel with Habegger. Levi Long, who played for Jay County for his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Norwell, will also make his Portland Rocket debut this summer.
Former Monroe Central Golden Bear Logan Conklin, who plays for Kentucky Wesleyan, will also join the team this year.
“I think we’ve got some really good building pieces, it’s just how they fit in with the team,” Waters said.
Portland, which also has home doubleheaders June 3, 9, 10, July 7 and 21, will host the NABF Mini-Regional tournament from July 27 through 29. The winner of that tournament earns an automatic bid to the world series, which is slated for Aug. 9 through 12.
The Rockets also host the Grand Lake Mariners June 6, Fort Wayne Titans June 26, Summit City Sluggers June 27, Fort Wayne Jackers July 6 and the Sluggers again July 18.
Portland makes its annual trip to South Bend June 23 and 24, and it will defend back-to-back Carrington Firecracker Classic championships June 29 through 30 in Fort Wayne.
“Rockets are grateful for this to be a banner year in Portland,” Miller said.
The Portland Rockets open their 59th season at 7:15 p.m. tonight against the Fort Wayne Jackers at Carrington Field.
“Coming into this year we’ve got a lot of new faces, a lot of new pitchers and we’re trying to re-establish the entire team with a couple veteran guys coming back,” said Mitch Waters, 34, the team’s captain and longest-tenured player.
Portland finished 35-12 last year, including a berth in the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Rockets won their first two games of pool play to qualify for the single-elimination tournament. Their season ended with a 6-1 loss in the quarterfinal, marking just the second time in six weeks they had lost consecutive games.
But Waters admits getting back won’t be easy.
“It’s hard to build off [last year] with all the new faces, but I think with our tradition and such we can pass that on as veterans and hopefully get these guys ready to go,” he said.
Waters, who pitched in the past for Portland before suffering a shoulder injury and being regulated to the field, returned to the mound during the regional tournament last year.
After a throwing session Sunday, he’s ready to take to the rubber again.
“Felt pretty good,” he said. He’s slated to start the second game of a doubleheader in the Rockets’ home opener Saturday at 1 p.m. at Portland Memorial Park’s Runkle-Miller Field.
“Coming off a great season,” Portland manager Randy Miller said of Waters. “Found his pitching savvy back in his return and he’ll be a man we lean on heavily in the course of the year.”
Zach Tanner is back in the meat of the lineup with Waters, and he’ll hold down the shortstop position once again. He’s coming off a year during which he made the world series all-tournament team.
Dalton Tinsley, who has anchored the top of the lineup and center field, will play as his work schedule allows.
Other returning position players include outfielder Tristen Becker, infielders Dustin Lewis, Chris Miller and Rico Acosta and catcher Cody Krumlauf.
“Without
Portland will be without longtime hurler Dan Bollenbacher, who decided to hang up his cleats.
“Always was an iron horse so it’s hard to replace a guy that’s been doing it for so long,” Waters said.
To fill his void, the Rockets will rely on a young group of pitchers, including tonight’s starter Derek Thobe, a Coldwater native. The pitching staff outside of him and Waters includes Garrett Scott, Zach
Max Habegger, a Carmel native and relative of Berne residents who is completing his freshman season at Lipscomb, is set to return to the rotation in July after he takes some time off to rehab an injury.
Newcomers to the team will be Coldwater native Malave Bettinger, former UNOH Racer Austin Bueter (RHP) and Justin Greene, an outfielder who played at Carmel with Habegger. Levi Long, who played for Jay County for his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Norwell, will also make his Portland Rocket debut this summer.
Former Monroe Central Golden Bear Logan Conklin, who plays for Kentucky Wesleyan, will also join the team this year.
“I think we’ve got some really good building pieces, it’s just how they fit in with the team,” Waters said.
Portland, which also has home doubleheaders June 3, 9, 10, July 7 and 21, will host the NABF Mini-Regional tournament from July 27 through 29. The winner of that tournament earns an automatic bid to the world series, which is slated for Aug. 9 through 12.
The Rockets also host the Grand Lake Mariners June 6, Fort Wayne Titans June 26, Summit City Sluggers June 27, Fort Wayne Jackers July 6 and the Sluggers again July 18.
Portland makes its annual trip to South Bend June 23 and 24, and it will defend back-to-back Carrington Firecracker Classic championships June 29 through 30 in Fort Wayne.
“Rockets are grateful for this to be a banner year in Portland,” Miller said.
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