As the grass greens and the rabbits start laying eggs, springtime means the “boys of summer” will once again be headed to your town. Co-managers Randy Schoenberg and Gordon Barten have both been anticipating the arrival of summer. Randy’s golf swing looks to already be in mid-season form, whereas Gordon will hate to see his favorite season of winter pass; nonetheless baseball and the tradition it brings is on the forefront of everyone’s mind. The men in maroon have again taken the field in preparation for the upcoming amateur baseball season. They are looking to build on the success of last year’s post season run and state appearance.
Offensively the Chargers will be looking at some of the most offensive looking players in the league. Hide your wives but more importantly the children because Corey Schoenberg will be back in action again this year. The Schoenberg brothers lead most of the offensive categories for the Lightning Bolts during the summer of 2011 including but not limited to facial hair and dance moves. Leading the Chargers on the base paths were a duo of crafty veterans Shawn Schoenberg and Nathan Terres. Notorious for heads up play, Terres is a force on the base path even stealing on the self proclaimed “New Sherriff in Town” from Meire Grove. The most dangerous pinch runner in the league, even for the Chargers, Ryan Spanier, is looking to round the bases any day any time.
The Chargers pitching staff, lead by Bull Rider Brent Terres, is returning the same group of young guns from the 2011 season. Terres, Shawn Schoenberg and Eric Schoenberg look to log most of the innings for the maroon this summer. The three combined for 16 wins, 115 strikeouts, in 160 innings during 2011. Shoeless Chris Spanier, Brad Twinkle Toes Terres, and the “Explosive” Corey Schoenberg may take the hill on any given day for the Bolts. Newcomer Louie Opatz is looking for a spot in the 2012 rotation. Grinder, as they call him, might be a little strange but that doesn’t mean he is gay, necessarily. Left hander by nature is hoping to make the cut and log a few innings for the Chargers. He will have his work cut out for him trying to squeeze in a couple innings with word on the street being Charger and Bar Closer Brandon Welle has been working on developing his ninth pitch – a combination fork/slider that he named the “Eliminator.” Doing the catching and even finding time to dance on home plate will again be Nathan Terres. His stint on “Dancing in the Spring Hill Ballroom” didn’t work out as planned so he again returns for another year behind the plate.
Departures for the Chargers are long time veteran Dave Stalboerger. Stalboerger’s switch hitting ability and suntan lined head will be missed greatly. He will most likely be found on the opposite side of the fence relaxing with a drink of his choice in hand. His shoes will be filled by any number of the Chargers shallow bench. Kyle Bertram along with a host of Chargers players will look to fill in. Alex Tech Diesel Mechanic of the Year Travis Welle gives the team added spark with his emotion and inspirational speeches. Fear the beard, Jordan Welle, one of the most versatile but not fleet of foot can step into any defensive position on the field, and never overlook his older brother Joe who short in stature can be heard for miles losing a game of 6,5,4.
The Chargers off-season has been held together by a few team bonding events that never resulted in bloodshed. It goes to show how close these guys really are on and off the field. The off-season was very mellow with the only headlines to be made by UMM Cougars Freshman Eric Terres and SCTC Freshman Cody Eichers lighting up their respective conferences.
If you listen closely you can already hear the crack of the bat and the cry of birds in the wilderness coming from the distance in the windy city of Spring Hill. Where we’ll hang around as long as you’ll let us.
(AP Hancock)