Wingnuts Ready for Long Trip
July 25, 2013 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
When the NBC World Series comes to Wichita it means just two words for the Wichita Wingnuts: "road trip."
The Wingnuts just wrapped up a six-game homestand, and now load the bus for Texas for a 16-game, 17-day road trip that also includes a flight to the east coast.
It's a trip that fifth-year manager Kevin Hooper is familiar with and understands the importance of.
"You have to keep things light and loose and stay focused. In the past we've been able to come home for a day and relax before heading back out, but that's not the case this year. It will be by far our longest trip ever," Hooper said
The trip starts with six games in Texas--three against Grand Prairie and three against El Paso. The team will catch a flight from El Paso to New York's LaGuardia Airport for 10 games against the Can-Am League's Newark Bears, Rockland Boulders, and New Jersey Jackals. The trip will span approximately 4,633 travel miles by the time the team returns home on August 12th.
"It's a grinder. There's no way around it. It's a long trip. We just have to find a way to enjoy ourselves. I try to pick my spots on when to take 'BP'. We will get through it. We have to keep the prize in sight, and that's to make the playoffs. This trip is just another part of achieving that goal," Hooper said.
One benefit for this year's Wingnuts is that there are several veteran players who have made the long trip in previous seasons.
Shortstop Ryan Khoury is one of those veterans who experienced the trip in 2012.
"Obviously we made the trip last year and we just try to approach each game--home or away--the same. We have a good core of guys who have been around for a while, and a nice blend of new guys to go with them. It should be a fun trip," Khoury said.
Wingnuts' closer Josh Dew has made the trip twice and is very familiar with the impact it can have on the standings.
"The goal is to stay above .500. It's not easy to win on the road, so we'll just go out and do our best to try to win," Dew said.
Starter Chris Smith felt that more important than the number of wins earned on the trip was for the team to remain healthy during the five-city excursion.
"You want to come back healthy. We'll be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel when we return and you want to be healthy enough to make a solid final push," Smith said.
The Can-Am League clubs play in Newark, NJ, Pomona, NY, and Little Falls, NJ. Rockland is second in the Can Am League with a 33-29 record. New Jersey is a perennial contender and ranks third at 31-31.
Smith who has experienced long flights at the Triple-A and Major League levels is very excited about playing the east coast portion of the trip.
"It's going to feel good to get back on that plane again. It will be interesting to see how we play teams not from our league, especially on the east coast. The east coast just brings something out of a ball player. It's a different atmosphere and different weather," said Smith.
Another individual excited about the trips to New York and New Jersey is Bronx, NY native John Rodriguez.
"We're going to New Jersey where we haven't played yet and back to my home town in New York. It will be great to show them around and play teams that we haven't played against. It's not like we're going somewhere for the second or third time already, so it should be fun," Rodriguez said.
The Wingnuts have returned home with a winning record on the trip in each of Kevin Hooper's first four seasons as manager. Wichita was 9-7 on the trip in 2009, 7-5 in 2010, 7-6 in 2011, and 9-6 in 2012.
The Wingnuts open a three-game series at Grand Prairie on Friday night. First pitch at QuikTrip Park is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts return home on Tuesday, August 13th when they host the Gary SouthShore RailCats. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
Beginning this season, fans can use cash at all points of sale in Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Debit and credit cards will still be accepted.
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
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