High expectations set for ‘A’ Legion baseball
Coach has goals set to reach state
By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Friday, May 30, 2008 11:36 AM PDT
Fruitland—American Legion baseball is back.
The Treasure Valley ‘A’ Stars kick off the season with seven returners and 10 newcomers on a squad that ended the 2007 season at 32-14 overall and won the east region with a 13-2 record.
Veteran coach Russ Wright has a mix of upperclassmen, underclassmen and middle school athletes on his roster this summer, and with 12 underclassmen, Wright’s top priorities are teaching, preaching hard work and ultimately, winning.
“Obviously, we would like to win. Anybody that tells you otherwise is probably lying,” Wright said. “These kids are competitive. Of course, the main goal of the coaches is we would like them to leave here a better player. We want the kids to become impact players on their teams next year.”
Making their return are Fruitland’s Ryan Wright and Dalton Blackwell, along with Ontario’s Chase Fields and Miguel Rios. Payette High School will also be well-represented with key returners Cody Peterson, Brad Huddleston and Alex Mackey.
New to the Legion game are Fruitland’s Reed Johnson, Tyler Graves, Joe Martarano, Ikaia Nawahine and Justin Siemens. Ontario lefty Riley Horn and Victor Machuca also join the squad, with Machuca slated to jump from the ‘A’ to the ‘AA’ team from time-to-time.
New Plymouth’s Brady Harris, Vale’s Nate Rutten and Burns’ second-team all-state infielder, Caleb Feist, round out the rest of the roster.
At first glance, Wright is impressed with the depth at pitching, where as many as 10 on the roster have made appearances on the mound through the years.
“We got a lot of arms. We have seven or eight guys who can legitimately throw,” Wright said. “It’s a very good group of kids.”
Geared up with a solid mix of some of the area’s up-and-coming stars, Wright’s goal is to expose the talent to the rest of the state.
“I think it’s great that we have kids from all around the area,” Wright said. “I am not concerned with whether they went to Vale or Ontario. We want them play well and show there is good baseball being played here in the Treasure Valley.”
One phase of a baseball player is high school, but Wright said a goal is developing that talent for a future at the college level.
One example is Vale graduate Garrett Brown, whom Wright holds in the highest regard.
“It’s neat to see these kids develop through the years. I had the privilege of having Garrett Brown on my team, and it was neat to watch him develop to where he has a chance to play at TVCC (Treasure Valley Community College) and have success. He has that baseball mentality and is a kid that represents everything that is right in a baseball player.”
A season ago, the Stars dropped two straight in district action, finishing short of their goal of a state berth.
Maybe they can get over the hump in 2008.
“It was great season for us last year,” Wright said. “We want to improve on that. Getting to the state tournament will be a tremendous achievement for this group.”
Action starts at 5 p.m. Saturday against Emmett for doubleheader action at Fruitland High School. Horn is expected to get the nod in the opener.
