Offseason Conditioning Pays Off For Freedom Outfielder, Team Opens Up On The Road Friday Night
Published on May 20, 2010 under Frontier League (FL)
Florence Y'alls News Release
FLORENCE, KY - Throughout the offseason Florence Freedom Manager Toby Rumfield would send out text messages to his team reminding them the importance of offseason strength and conditioning.
No player took the messages to heart more than Freedom outfielder Dustin Koca, as he showed up to camp in the best shape of his life.
"This offseason I've lost 20 pounds," Koca claims.
The now 185 pound outfielder gives credit to his new baseball physique to another sport, basketball.
"In the offseason I played a ton of basketball," Koca said. "I basically played two hours of pickup basketball a night at [the University of Nebraska Omaha]."
Koca's spring performance has turned heads, as the Omaha native homered to the opposite field in his first two exhibition games.
"He's a guy that came in on a mission," said Rumfield. "I think he knew coming in the type of quality competition we were going to have in camp, and his hard work this offseason has paid
off. He's had a great spring."
Koca agrees. "I feel like the conditioning has paid off. Now I just need to make sure the hot start continues into the regular season when it really matters."
The Freedom and Koca will find out when they take the field Friday, May 21 for the season opener at the Gateway Grizzlies in Sauget, Illinois. But thanks to his newly found fitness level, Koca knows his expectations and responsibilities are going to increase.
"Toby said he wants to run me more on the bases. My goal is just to battle and attack the pitch I want. If I could do that I'd say 15 to 20 homeruns is something I can accomplish this season."
The outfielder hit nine last season in 78 games combined between the Freedom and Evansville Otters.
"I'll play all three outfield positions, I don't care. I'm just ready to go. Ready for the games to mean something."
Friday night, Koca and the Freedom will get their wish as fans can tune into the game on Classic Country 106.7 FM WNKR or on the web at 1067WNKR.com.
The Florence Freedom are members of the Independent Frontier League and open their home schedule on May 25 against the Southern Illinois Miners. Call (859) 594-HITS (4487) or visit FlorenceFreedom.com for tickets.
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