Bisbee's semipro boys of summer returned to Warren Ballpark Tuesday night for their first practice, with a cadre of returning players and a new manager on the field.
Under the scrutiny of field manager Greg Pennington and coaches Dave Mecucci and Mark Berg, the Copper Kings went through fielding, running, hitting and pitching drills during one of the two practices they'll hold before meeting the Tucson Nationals in a season opening doubleheader at Warren Ballpark this Saturday. The first game starts at 4 p.m.
Back on the field Tuesday evening from last year's winning team are Tyler Johnson, Cody Bair, Carlos Martinez, Sterling Shuller, Destry Rice, Calen Pennington, Richard Hummel, Justin Wright, and Chance Ruggerol
Newcomers to the 2009 Copper Kings on the field Tuesday are Blake Berg, Brandon Berg, Carlos Lopez, Dominique Davis, Gary Mack, Kyle Cormier, Miguel Trujillo, James Lilley, Mike Mecucci and Alex Navarette.
Jacob Amos, who will be reporting to the Copper Kings next week after playing in the 1A/2A High School All-Star game in Surprise this Saturday, Lopez and Navarette are no strangers to Warren Ballpark, all three having played varsity baseball for the Pumas. Amos set a state record this spring striking out 32 batters in a 15 inning game played by Bisbee High School against Thatcher.
Others expected to report to the Copper Kings later this week are veteran Brett Shepard and rookies Mike Lopez, Steve Ivanoff, Matt Macias and Brandon Orr.
The status of several potential players was still up in the air as of Tuesday night. Billy Vopenik, a right-handed pitcher from Biola University was waiting to see how he did in the baseball draft according to Pennington. Diego Marquez, Tyler Case, Jacob Thomas and Jorge Martinez might also report later this week.
Manager Greg Pennington used Tuesday night's workout to assess his team's level of conditioning as they prepare for the longest schedule of summer baseball to be played at Warren Ballpark since the Bisbee Yanks, their Class C minor league ancestors, played a 65-game home schedule in 1947.
"We're a little light on pitching until the rest of the guys come in," Pennington said. "We've got a pretty solid group with Dominic (Davis), Richard (Hummel), Tyler (Johnson), Kyle (Cormier) and Brandon (Orr)."
"We'll probably throw four pitchers each game this weekend to work them into the season."
"Our outfield will be fast," Pennington added. "And our infield looks pretty good. But we need to knock off some rust."
Pennington feels optimistic about his team's chances in Pacific Southwest league play this year.
"I think we'll have a good team this year. We'll see how our guys react under pressure this weekend."
Team owners Tom Mosier and Frank Barco are also optimistic about the Copper Kings chances to advance to the National Baseball Congress World Series this summer as they watched the players go through their paces.
"I think we'll go to Wichita (the site of the NBC World Series)," said Mosier.
"They're looking pretty good out there," said Barco.
For more information about the Copper Kings visit www.bisbeecopperkings.com or call 732-7325.
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