FL River City Rascals

Rascals Ready To Take On Champs

Published on May 22, 2007 under Frontier League (FL)
River City Rascals News Release


O Fallon, MO--The time to dust of the off-season rust is over. The time where the score at the end of the game doesn't really matter has come and gone. Now it's time to get down to business. The new look River City Rascals open the season on the road Wednesday night when they travel to Evansville to take on the defending Frontier League champion Otters.

"We should win some ball games this year," the optimistic new Manager Toby Rumfield exclaimed. "I think we've got the right mix of guys out there and you can tell these guys have a lot of talent."

The Rascals didn't see much of that talent come to fruition in the preseason, where they went 1-5.

"I think we just came out flat," Rumfield said. "These guys need to realize it's not just going to be something (effort) we can turn on and off. But I do expect come regular season you'll see the guys turn it up and start playing like I think they can." The Rascals are looking to improve on a 2006 season that saw them finish 40-56 and last in the Frontier League West Division.

This year though there will be 12 teams in the league and three divisions. The Rascals will make up the West Division with the Evansville Otters, Southern Illinois Miners and Gateway Grizzlies.

Altogether 24 players and three coaches will make the trip on Wednesday as final roster cuts were made on Monday.

Veteran Steve Brook will lead the way on the Rascals pitching staff as he figures to be the opening day starter. Brook went 6-6 last year in 20 starts, 135.2 innings and a 4.11 ERA.

"You look at some of the guys we have in this pitching staff this year compared to last, and you're going to see some quality arms," Brook said. "And one of the biggest things is that all the guys get along great and we're all going to be pulling for one another out there."

That same team chemistry was one of the things missing from last year's team and something Rumfield stressed when deciding who to bring in.

The Rascals will play two in Evansville before returning home to play the Otters at T.R. Hughes Ballpark for the 2007 home opener Friday, May 25, at 7:05 pm.

All Rascals games, both home and away, can be heard on KSLQ 104.5 FM. Josh Anderson will be doing the play-by-play and be assisted by broadcast intern Aaron Cox during all Rascal home games. Also Rascals games can be heard via internet by clicking on the home page link "Rascals Live Audio." Just visit www.rivercityrascals.com for more information.

A reminder to all Rascal fans, season tickets, mini plans, and group packages are currently available by calling 636.240.BATS. The 2007 River City Rascals home opener is on May 25th against the Evansville Otters at 7:05 from T.R. Hughes Ballpark. Fans may also visit the Rascals online for more information at http://www.rivercityrascals.com.

Check out the River City Rascals Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Frontier League Stories from May 22, 2007


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.

OurSports Central