Freedom's First Day of Camp in the Books
Published on May 2, 2013 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
The crack of the bat and the pop of the catcher's mitt are back at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Stadium as the Florence Freedom opened up spring training Thursday in preparation for the 2013 season.ÃâÃÂ
The excitement is building among Freedom players and coaches as they look to follow up on last year's first ever berth in the Frontier League Championship Series.
Ãâà"It's exciting to start a new season," said manager Fran Riordan.Ãâà"It was a long winter and it's great to meet the new guys and put faces with names."
The Freedom have invited 35 players to camp this year and will have just two weeks to cut that down to a 24-man active roster for opening night, May 16.ÃâÃÂ
Among those 35 are 15 players returning from last year's playoff team. ÃâàIncluded in that bunch is shortstop Junior Arrojo, who batted .302, outfielder David Harris, who hit .275 with 10 home runs in 2012, and catcher Jim Jacquot who also hit 10 home runs a year ago.
Riordan expects his returning players to have plenty of motivation following up last year's success, but also expects fierce competition for roster spots and playing time at most positions, particularly the corner infield, outfield and the starting rotation.
Ãâà"Everything's a competition," Riordan said.Ãâà"Like everything in this game, you have to earn it."
Riordan, in his third season at the helm of the Freedom, is happy with last year's success, but is eager to improve on the last season's franchise-best 57-win campaign.
"It is our job to compete every night and to win every night," Riordan said.Ãâà"We want to be the last team standing at the end of the season."
Opening night for the 2013 Florence Freedom season is Thursday, May 16 at UCMC Stadium against the River City Rascals with first pitch at 6:35.ÃâàTickets are available in person at the box office, by phone at (859) 594-HITS (4487), or online at www.florencefreedom.com.
Frontier League Stories from May 2, 2013
- Freedom's First Day of Camp in the Books - Florence Y'alls
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