Making the Pieces Fit
Published on May 16, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
The Rubik's Cube, now that was a puzzling test of skill.
Solving the nation's debt crisis is a puzzle, which like an onion, has many layers.
For Wichita Wingnuts' manager Kevin Hooper, assembling a winning roster in the American Association is as tough as putting together any 3D puzzle on the market today. Yet, for the last four years--and once again in preparation for the 2013 season--Hooper and Wichita General Manager Josh Robertson have solved that puzzle.
"Josh and I talk about the process all the time and comparing it to a puzzle--it really is like putting a puzzle together. There's the salary cap, there's classification limitations--it's tough. It's a big time challenge," Hooper said. "Sometimes you have guys pop up that you really want but can't get because of those limitations. That forces some tough decisions."
The roster rules for American Association teams can get complicated. The test is building a 22-man roster within those constraints that each league manger and general manager hopes will serve as the foundation for a winner.
There are seven classifications of players in the league's roster structure. They range from "rookie" to "veteran" with five categories in between. To have rookie status, a player must not have exceeded 75 at bats or 30 innings pitched in any given year for a full-season professional team. Each team must carry a minimum of four rookies.
At the other end of the spectrum, a player with six or more years of experience in professional baseball is considered to be a veteran. A team cannot carry more than five players who are classified as veteran ball players. Everyone else on the roster is slotted into a 'limited service' category also determined by their accumulated years of experience. A player's age can also play a factor in their classification.
General managers and coaching staffs are therefore looking to build a roster balanced between young players and those who have experienced resumes.
This can pose a challenge in recruiting players to the independent level of baseball, but Hooper feels that working within the structure of the salary cap poses more of a challenge than the roster classifications.
"The biggest challenge is the salary cap. I always tell these guys, 'I wish I could pay you $3,000 or 10 grand a month,' but it is what it is," Hooper said. "When you get an LS-3 player, the money is comparable to what they might have been making in affiliated ball. But when you get a veteran, it is not even close to what they have been making at say, the Triple-A level."
Becuse of this, Hooper admits there are two unique areas for recruiting that become very important. The first is recruiting experienced players that fit the model the organization utilizes for building a roster.
"I am an old school guy. We try to build this thing around pitching and defense and just let everything else fall into place. Having a guy like John Rodriguez, who I played with in Triple-A in '04, when a guy like that calls and says 'hey I want to play for you guys'--then that's a no brainer. That's a World Series champ and that made my decision easy," Hooper said.
The make-up of the veteran's on this year's roster will be tilted more to the pitching side of the game, as the Wingnuts have two pitchers with Major League experience holding veteran tags. Jon Link and Chris Smith should serve as the core of the Wingnuts' starting rotation. Smith played in parts of three MLB seasons with the Red Sox and Brewers, while Link made nine appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.
"This year we have two guys who have pitched in the Majors in our starting rotation, which is a first for us. I have never used those veteran spots for pitchers, because in the past I have wanted those guys to be everyday players. So this year we are taking a different approach and these guys I felt I could not pass on," Hooper said.
As much pride as every American Association team takes upon seeing their players sign minor and Major league contracts, and as much as every independent league player wants to earn a return ticket to affiliated ball; roster builders still look to maintain a core of players to avoid a yearly revolving door of players coming and going.
This is an area that the 2013 Wingnuts have proved adept at as nine players from the 2012 Central Division Championship roster are returning for action in 2013.
"I think word has gotten out that we treat guys the right way, and that I have a lot of respect for our guys. We travel well, we dress well, we eat well, and we try to take care of our guys in a professional manner. I just do things the right way so that guys feel comfortable and want to come back," Hooper said. "I hold players accountable. I have had players come back to tell me that they appreciated that and enjoyed playing here."
The Wingnuts open the 2013 season tonight against the Kansas City T-Bones at 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Prior to the game, a ceremony celebrating the life of bench coach Brian Rose will take place.
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted. Fans can resolve outstanding balances on cash cards from previous years until June 1st, 2013.
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 May 16, 2013
- Birds Drop Season Opener in Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Saints Fall Short in Extras, Lose 6-4 in 10 - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Win on Emotional Opening Night - Wichita Wingnuts
- RailCats Sign Zavada, Set Opening Day Roster - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wichita Wingnuts Game Notes - May 16th, 2013 - Wichita Wingnuts
- T-Bones and Entercom Radio Reach Agreement - Kansas City Monarchs
- Making the Pieces Fit - Wichita Wingnuts
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.
