Paints' Mason excited about solid nucleus returning in 2008

Published on January 17, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Oakland County Cruisers News Release


While many folks are shoveling snow, stocking firewood and watching basketball games, Chillicothe Paints' manager and director of baseball operations, Mark Mason, is busy heating up the telephone lines in preparation for the upcoming 2008 Frontier League season.

"I'm very excited about starting my second year in Chillicothe," commented Mason. "I'm more comfortable already than I was last year, and I think that our returning players will feel more comfortable with me."

The Paints will welcome no less than 18 returnees to spring training on May 6th, including the team's three top sluggers, shortstop, Travis Garcia (.307, 19 HR, 70 RBI); third baseman, Adrian Cantu (.303, 13 HR, 61 RBI); and catcher, Dan Cummins (.289, 8 HR, 42 RBI). Two-year vet, Paul Rutgers(.254, 5 Hr, 41 RBI), along with outfielders, Travis Storrer (.262, 5 HR, 46 RBI)and Gavin Ng, (.265, 19 SB), plus designated hitter, J. T. Thomas (.265, 4 HR, 43 RBI) will also return.

"Garcia's accomplishments and awards speak for themselves," said Mason. "Cantu was a warrior last year, playing at a high level despite battling a variety of injuries, and Cummins is arguably the best catcher in our league. I think that Rutgers can return to his hitting form of 2006, and I really like the way Thomas approaches the game of baseball."

In addition, FL All-Star pitcher, Ryan Flanigan (9-2. 1.28 ERA), Brian McCullough (4-2, 2.01 ERA), and Daryl Arreola (3-4, 3.19 ERA) head up a list of nine seasoned pitchers that will return. Flanigan pitched this winter in the Columbia League as a starter and was named to the league's All-Star Team.

On the down side, pitchers' Perry Cunningham, Brian Marshall and Eric Teall, plus infielder, Evan Sobel have all decided to retire.

Cunningham and his wife, Pam, have relocated to Pennsylvania where Perry has accepted full time employment. Teall was recently married and is beginning a new career in law enforcement.

"Perry, after a rough start, really gutted it out and performed well the second half of last season. He will be missed. And, Teall leaves very big shoes to attempt to fill," noted Mason.

Nagging injuries led to Marshall's and Sobel's decision to hang up the cleats, according to Mason.

"We definitely are scouting to find quality starting pitching and a closer, but overall, I feel very good about the nucleus that we have returning on the pitching staff, and some of the new candidates that will be coming into spring training."

"We were quality hitters last year when leading off an inning, but we were terrible with runners on base," he explained. "The more runners that were on base, the lower our averages dipped. That has to change."

Other returnees from the '07 Paints' that finished second in the FL East Division race include; first baseman, Jon Poterson; outfielder, Josh Miller; catcher, Kevin Butler; pitchers, Bryan Johnson; Justin Drabek; Aaron Gamboa, Jason Quarles, Bill Schmeider and Landon Sinclair.

Mason noted that he is pleased that long time bench coach, Marty Dunn will return for his 16th season with the Paints and he stressed the team will employ a hitting coach as well this coming season.

"We have to have more offensive punch this year. We have to get better and I have always said that if you are not trying to get better, you'll surely get worse."

Mason said he has invited some highly touted prospects to spring training this year, including former Kent State University First Team All-American second baseman, Drew Saylor and All Conference-USA first baseman, Brendan Murphy from Marshall University.

"We will start spring training with an open mind. I am very pleased that we have so many returnees, but there are no guarantees. We'll continue to look at possible future trades, and acquisitions, and do whatever it takes to put a winning team on the field for the southern Ohio fans."

The Paints open the 2008 season at home on Wednesday, May 21st against the Washington Wild Things. Season tickets, U-Pick-'Em Mini-Ticket Plans, and Group Outings can be reserved and purchased at the Paints' Gift Shop, located at 59 N. Paints St. in Chillicothe, or by calling (740) 773-TEAM (8326).

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Frontier League Stories from January 17, 2008


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.

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