Vipers Set Pre-Season Roster and Training Camp Schedule

Published on March 31, 2009 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers today announced their training camp schedule for the upcoming Golden Baseball League season. Players will report for medicals on Friday, May 8 and will open their fifth training camp on Saturday, May 9 at Foothills Stadium.

The Vipers will play their provincial rivals, the Edmonton Capitals, in four pre-season games. The first two games will be in Fort McMurray, Alberta, the home of Vipers pitcher Reggie Rivard. The Snakes and Caps will meet on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 with all proceeds going to the Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association.

"Over the years Edmonton and Calgary have definitely exposed the pro product in our province", said Vipers Director of Baseball Operations Peter Young. "We've played in Lethbridge, Red Deer and Camrose in previous seasons and now are happy to venture north for the first time. Numerous youngsters who are coached by Reggie Rivard have made the trip to Edmonton and Calgary to watch him play; now it's time for us to return the favour".

The two teams will then play home and home pre-season games in Calgary on May 18 and Edmonton on May 19 before starting the regular season two nights later. Coincidentally the Battle of Alberta will then be on hold for two full months as the teams don't meet in regular season action until the second half of the schedule.

The Vipers have also completed their training camp roster with twenty-nine players either signed or attending on non-roster invitations. The team rounded out their starting nine last weekend acquiring power hitting outfielder Terry Mermer from the team that edged them in the Championship Series in California last September. Mermer, a late acquisition by Gary Carter last August hit 5 home runs in only 15 games with Orange County and slugged another 3 in their eight playoff games. His addition gives field manager Morgan Burkhart four outstanding outfielders for 2009. Mermer joins Drew Miller (20 HR), Mark Okano (19 HR) and GBL Rookie of the Year Colin Moro. Burkhart will be able to alternate one outfielder in the DH position to guarantee each maximum playing time.

The Vipers infield could also be the teams best defensively in the clubs five year history. Carlos Duncan (11 HR) and Nelson Castro (12 HR) have been perennial Independent League All-Stars. Each has been a former Vipers MVP. Switch hitting second baseman Jorge Mejia (11 HR) was a GBL All-Star in 2008 while first baseman Ivan Reyes hammered 16 long balls for St. George and Laredo in 2008. Add in the seven contributed by workhorse catcher Pat Arlis and you have a batting lineup that combined for 101 home runs in 2008.

"We've never been this prepared five weeks before training camp", added Young. "We're also waiting to see if Seth Loman sticks with the Chicago White Sox organization in extended spring training. If he becomes available that would add another great offensive threat". The 22-year old Loman hit 19 home runs in only 60 games with St. George last season. The runner-up to Moro in Rookie of the Year balloting was obtained from St. George in December but almost immediately sold to the White Sox. The Vipers still retain his Independent league playing rights.

On the hill pitching coach Evan Greusel is still considered the Vipers ace but he has some great company in 2009. Playoff phenom Joe Sergent, veteran Hideki Nagasaka, recently signed returning Vipers Dallas Mahan and Reggie Rivard, lefty Frank James and newcomers Alan Webb, Erik Dessau and Zak Blakney also have the ability to start. The return of sidewinder Cody Cillo, newcomer Jake Vose and closer Jon Huizinga gives Greusel more depth than any previous Vipers squad. Left handed knuckleballer Chris Nowlin and side armed rookie Andrew Demott will also be competing for a spot on the team along with two time Viper Phil Sobkow. Lefties Ryan Olson and Jordy Alexander who both finished the 2008 season on the disabled list could also return from off season surgery to battle in training camp.

With the retirement of rookie third baseman Travis Drader former Cracker-Cat infielder Rob Recuenco and three year veteran catcher Kevin Price are expected to round out the position player side of the Vipers roster. They will get training camp pressure from two local products wrapping up their NCAA college careers, infielder Manny Kumar (Grambling State-Okotoks Dawgs) of Calgary and catcher Marshall McDonald (University of Dayton) Red Deer. Last season's bullpen catcher Dillon O'Krane will also be in camp hoping to crack the lineup.

2009 Signed Players

Position Players Right Handed Pitcher Left Handed Pitcher

C-Pat Arlis Evan Greusel Joe Sergent

3B-Carlos Duncan Hideki Nagasaka Frank James

SS-Nelson Castro Reggie Rivard Allan Webb

2B-Jorge Mejia Erik Dessau Dallas Mahan

1B-Ivan Reyes Cody Cillo Jake Vose

OF-Drew Miller John Huizinga

OF-Colin Moro Zak Blakney

OF-Mark Okano

OF-Terry Mermer

UT-Kevin Price

UT-Rob Recuenco

The Vipers will hold their annual Free Agent Evaluation camp on Saturday, May 9 at Foothills Stadium in conjunction with their Job Fair and Open House.

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