Sports stats



Hurry up and Wait

August 27, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


I often hear this response from people when you ask them how their doctor or dentist visit was; "I hurried up to wait."

Well the Wichita Wingnuts have already gotten their lollipop for the regular season and now they have to wait for a shot at the big prize.

The Nuts clinched their third straight central division title with a 5-3 win against the Grand Prairie AirHogs last Friday. That left them with nine games left in the regular season before the American Association playoffs begin September 4th.

With that many games left to play, the usual concern is 'did the Wingnuts clinch to early?'

"Whether you clinch or not, we still have games left and you have to play them all," Wichita manager Kevin Hooper said. "We are on a mission right now. We have just one thing in mind and that's to win a ring. I think our guys are going to be focused for it."

Wichita does have a veteran-laden squad that has been through the winning and waiting before. Those veterans do not believe there will be any kind of let down. When asked about the number of games left and the possibility of a loss of focus, the scenario was immediately dismissed by veteran pitcher Anthony Capra.

"That only becomes an issue if you let it become an issue. I don't think 'Hoop' will let that become an issue and I don't think the veterans on this team will let it become an issue," Capra said. "We're going to keep grinding and stay focused."

There was no let down the night after clinching as the Wingnuts played with an aggressive approach in a 7-1 win over Grand Prairie.

There are only two and a half games separating three teams in the South Division race, and just one and a half between the top two clubs in the wild card standings. Hooper and the Wingnuts may not know their first round opponent until the final days of the regular season. Regardless of who the Wingnuts eventually draw in the first round, Hooper and his players believe they will be focused no matter who they face.

"We have a good game plan with whoever we should play. I think we come up with a good game plan of what we want to do against hitters," Hooper said.

"We've played everybody in the league, so we're familiar with them. We don't need to change anything. We just need to do what we do and play together as a team," second baseman Jake Kahaulelio said.

Capra felt the team could also use the extra time to make sure that health is not a question entering the playoff rounds.

"The biggest thing is to make sure that everybody is healthy and that we take care of the little nagging injuries," Capra said. "We have to come out focused for Game One and just be ready to go."

Wichita still has plenty to play for as they are trying to secure home field advantage throughout the postseason, as well as break the American Association record for numbers of wins in one year. The record is 65 set by the 2006 Lincoln Saltdogs and 2012 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

"It's one of those things that at the start of the year when we saw who all was coming back, we knew that anything was possible," shortstop Ryan Khoury said. "We've been getting the job done on the field and we did it with some time to spare so that we can enjoy it. We want to make a run at the wins record. We've reached one of our goals, but we still have goals left to play for and to stay focused on."

Right after clinching the division, Hooper was making sure his team enjoyed the moment, but to not lose focus on the big picture.

"I mentioned to the guys that--especially in baseball--the best team doesn't always win. I've felt like we've had the best team the last couple of years and we were unable to win it all," Hooper said. "It comes down to getting hot at the right time. Winnipeg did it last year as the wild card. They swept Fargo who had been playing the best ball and then came up here and swept us. You've got to hope for the best and try to keep everybody healthy for these final games."

Several players expressed afterwards the thrill of clinching the division title for the third straight season. Kahaulelio took part in last year's celebration as well and said this year the best part was watching the rookies on the roster enjoy the moment.

"It was just as good as the first time. Being able to see the excitement on the faces of the guys who have never experienced that before was a blessing," Kahaulelio said.

You can bet every member of the Wingnuts' roster wants to celebrate with some of the bubbly at least one more time in mid-September.

The Wingnuts open a four-game series at Lincoln tonight at 7:05 p.m. Anthony Capra faces left-hander Moises Melendez. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com

The Wingnuts play their final three regular season home games beginning this Saturday against the Kansas City T-Bones.

The 2013 American Association Division Series begins Wednesday, September 4th. The Wingnuts host Game Three of the on Friday, September 6th as well as the "if necessary" Games Four and Five on the 7th and 8th. Individual tickets for all home playoff games can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com

Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.

For season tickets, group outings, or party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.



American Association Stories from August 27, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Wichita Wingnuts Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central