Vipers Set Opening Day Roster

Published on May 21, 2008 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


Field Manager Mike Busch today named his 22 man roster that will start the 2008 Golden League season on Friday against the Edmonton Cracker-Cats. Included on the roster are nine players who played a major role in the Vipers successful 2007 campaign where they captured the North Division Championship of the Northern League and went the full five games with eventual champion Gary-Southshore RailCats in the League Championship series. Baseball America Independent Leagues Player of the Year Darryl Brinkley and fellow Northern League All-Star Nelson Castro head the list of returning position players which also includes Ironman Drew Miller of Medicine Hat who has played in 264 consecutive games for the Vipers. Speedy outfielder Jorge Tang and catcher Kevin Price will also return for their second season.

Evan Greusel who has won 24 games as a Viper over three seasons will once again anchor the starting rotation. Greusel also acts as the Vipers pitching coach. Lefthanders Jordy Alexander, Ryan Olson and Geoff Freeborn will also return to the hill while closer Jon Huizinga returns to the Snakes after a one year hiatus.

Former Baltimore Oriole Jose Morban, second baseman Jorge Mejia and first baseman Max Soto will join Castro to form an all Dominican infield. Former Kansas City T-Bones catcher Patrick Arlis takes over behind the plate.

Two local products and former Calgary Dawgs also cracked the Vipers roster after outstanding training camp performances. Outfielder Colin Moro from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and infielder Travis Drader of the University of Louisiana-Monroe will give the Vipers some home town support in 2008.

On the mound the Vipers will have six newcomers including former Edmonton Cracker-Cats star Reggie Rivard. Sean Kramer, Dallas Mahan, Jordan Neufeld, Robert Coello and Nate Melek round out the pitching staff.

Pitchers Jeff Groeger, Scott Sarver and Kazu Minami, and outfielder Shawn Ashman start the season on the Vipers inactive list. All-Star Carlos Duncan is also on the inactive list awaiting knee surgery.

On Tuesday, the Vipers also traded the rights to right handed pitcher John Odom for 10 Prairie Sticks Maple Bats, 34", 32 oz, double-dipped, black, model C243.

And the Vipers also announced they are close to contract terms with former Calgary Flame and Stanley Cup Champion Theoren Fleury to join the roster at some time during the season. Fleury, an accomplished baseball player will sign autographs and throw out the first pitch for the season opener on May 29 and will also start taking batting practice with the Vipers in preparation for his professional debut.

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