Posted: 4/13/05
Last year means nothing to Raabe
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Joe Drennan
Sports Editor
Plenty of people are talking about this seasonís Forest Lake High School baseball team, saying they could win the conference title and possibly the state title. Head coach Brian Raabe isnít buying into the hype just yet though.
ìWe certainly have a lot of potential,î Raabe said.
Many people are excited about this yearís team because several members of last yearís state champion Mickey Mantle team have moved up to the varsity level. Raabe is quick to point out though that those players are now playing against players that are not only older than them, but some are even Division I prospects.
ìWe had some success at Mickey Mantle last year, but that was last year in their age group,î Raabe said. ìNow these kids are competing against the best of three or four age classes. Just because a player was good last year in Mickey Mantle, that doesnít mean theyíll be good the next year at the varsity level.î
After saying that, Raabe noted that the Mickey Mantle players who have moved up to the varsity level are still a talented group of players and theyíll have to prove their value on the field.
Members of last yearís Mickey Mantle team that should see some varsity playing time are Jake Lipp, Nick Carroll, Dave Gauerke, Erik Zentzis, Kyle Johnson, Andrew Pooch, Jeff Brooks, Trip Schultz, Christian Fogerty and Jed Hanson.
Mix in the Mickey Mantle members with the returning players of Nate Young, Pat Fogerty, Andy Norbin, Zach Guttormson, Travis Wittenable, Matt Kreitlow and Bobby Hager.
Raabe sees Hanson and Guttormson as his top two pitchers with Schultz, Zentzis, Norbin, Wittenable, Brooks and Christian Fogerty all getting some time on the mound as well.
Catching duties will be split between Carroll, Fogerty and Hanson. Raabe says the infield will be manned by Guttormson at first base, Hagar at second base and Brooks at short stop. Raabe isnít too sure whoís going to be his everyday third baseman, but says Zentzis, Lipp, Gauerke and Norbin all have a shot.
Patrick Fogerty will start in left field, Kreitlow and Schultz splitting time in center field and Johnson in right field.
ìThe bottom line is you have to put people on the field and see if they can handle it and perform,î Raabe said. ìUntil we get out there everything is irrelevant. We have to see these guys in a game.î
The Rangers will have to be ready once the first pitch is thrown as they compete in what Raabe considers the toughest conference in the state in the Suburban East Conference.
The Rangers finished second to last in the conference last season, but beat a Woodbury team that took second in the state tournament and beat conference champion Stillwater once as well.
ìThe key is to be ready to play every game,î Raabe said. ìWe have such a tough conference that it allows us to get ready for our regions.î
In an effort to draw more fans to home games at The Ballpark at Schumacher Field, the Rangers are moving back the start times of several games from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be special nights for the youth baseball players to get those players excited about Forest Lake baseball.
A new sound system has been installed to The Ballpark at Schumacher Field and concessions should be available at most games.
ìWeíre trying to get people to come to the games and we want to make this more of a community event,î Raabe said.
In their home opener against North Branch Monday night the Rangers beat North Branch 23-1 in five innings.
ìItís obvious we played well,î Raabe said.
Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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