Finally, the Grays put down the basketball and picked up a baseball. The pack has been in full practice mode since the beginning of March, hosting practices multiple times a week making sure all the pups get their practice in. Some members of the team are already in July form, Patrick Hanlon is full beast mode and ready to pounce on the 2018 summer. Jon Widerski fell in love with his new Axe Bat and has almost killed his fellow BP pitcher more than a few times, Axe Bat even retweeted their appreciation for Widerski this spring. Speaking of major brands, Adidas has shipped their cleats and are already in the hands of some members of the squad.
Not everything is good in the wood, longtime Grays player Mike Mickelson has decided to take a season off and try to bounce back next summer. Mickelson has been there since the beginning Laker days and sits fifth all time on franchise games played, runs scored, runs knocked in and hits. He’s fourth in doubles, third in homeruns and first in Hit by Pitch (obviously.) Mick was a big part of the club, his pregame hotboxing and taping ritual and love for underground rap and German soccer will be missed in around the pack in 2018.
But the Grays re-loaded with two new Wolves this spring. Michael Crane will fill in were needed but will hold down the outfield. This former Biliken played outfield for Saint Louis University and stood out at Carmel Catholic in Chicago, after being away from the game for awhile and in the skies – he’s a pilot for United – he landed with the Grays this past March and is already fitting in with the classic one-hour goodbye sessions after practice. Also joining the pack is Naharaim Martinez the slick infielder will play part-time this summer as he splits time between the Highland Park Pericos – his brothers squad in St. Paul - and the Grays. The Grays are flirting with maybe adding a third new member but seem content with their current roster as of now heading into the spring training schedule.
The 2018 TCMABL Schedule was just released and the Grays will play six home games at Castle Field this summer highlighted by nice closing stretch of dates in August and will play seven road games with three of those dates being at Lighted Field (an old friend) in July. The Grays open up the summer May 20th at the Padres in Roseville and close against the Dodgers at Castle August 26th. The Wolves will face everyone twice – except the Wobblies who they will only face once this year at Lighted. Promotional Schedule for the Grays will be released soon with the Annual Barbeque game and promo giveaways.
Expectations are high this summer for the Wolves, with some spring training foes even calling around and brining in ringers for exhibition games (really dude? LOL) but the Grays manager will keep things relaxed and make sure all the players get their spring reps in no matter the outcome so the pack will be ready to go come May. Howl.
