Sunday, April 1, 2007

ROCK CATS READY TO ROLL

The time is drawing near.

Snowbanks have been reduced to the piles left by plows. Saturday's sunshine was strong enough to redden winter-bleached skin. And at New Britain Stadium, the grass is beginning to don its verdant springtime finery.

Granted, manager Riccardo Ingram's sun-splashed legion shudders when confronted with the thought of chilly New England evenings, that stinging sensation when the ball snaps a centimeter too low in the pocket, the ringing reverberation through the upper extremities when a well-placed pitch shatters a bat handle.

But you can sip on coffee and hot chocolate, even huddle together under a blanket, if necessary. Don't let the weather win!

But will the Rock Cats play well enough to satisfy fans' cravings for a winning team? New Britain has not witnessed sustained success from its Eastern League club since magnificent American League batting champion Joe Mauer squatted behind the plate in 2003.

Last year, discontent eroded what appeared to be a talented team from the inside out. Perhaps that discontent was at the heart of the elements that broke down on the field.

For example, the 2006 squad violated the popular baseball principle of strength up the middle -- catching, pitching, middle infield, centerfield.

Center was well-manned with future big-leaguer Denard Span covering plenty of ground. The Twins are prone to shift middle infielders around so the Rock Cats' inner defense took on different looks. But all in all, it was adequate.

The pitchers yielded too many walks, but it was the catching that really struggled. Opposing baserunners took many liberties, balls squirted to the backstop at the most inopportune times and the overall batting average barely reached .200.

The bottom line was the 2006 Rock Cats gift-wrapped more unearned runs than anyone in the Eastern League. The offense was devoid of true power and exacerbated matters by failing to hit with men on base. Despite the presence of four first-round picks, the Rock Cats ended in last place at 64-78, 11th out of the loop's 12 teams.

I learned my lesson about being an optimist. I liked the first-round picks. I liked the talent that minor league director Jim Rantz packed around them. I knew there was weakness up the middle but I predicted good things for manager Riccardo Ingram in his first year.

This year, my optimism is guarded.

I believe the chemistry will be much better. The players I've met are dedicated to winning, something the core of them proved last year in making the Florida State League playoffs with the Fort Myers Miracle.

The pitching staff is dotted with veterans and talented first-year Double-A hurlers alike. Trevor Plouffe, the team's only homegrown first-rounder, and Felix Molina form a nice double-play combo. And the catching is much better defensively with Korey Feiner starting and Kyle Geiger in reserve.

Another facet that bodes well is the outstanding talent the Twins have in Class A. Promotions to Triple-A for those who deserve it always test an organization's depth. Rock Cats fans may get a glimpse of the following by the time midseason passes: pitchers Yohan Pino, Oswaldo Soto and Kyle Waldrop; first baseman Erik Lis.

But whether the weather is hot or cold, whether the team wins or loses, good times are ready to be had at the sparkling Emerald of the Eastern League . I'm ready to be a part of it for my 12th straight year. See you there.