By Holli L. Rapp
After finishing the spring 1999 baseball campaign with a 27-26 record. Coach Bob Koopmann found himself with 48 athletes wishing to become members of the team.
This fall, with a week of tryouts behind them, 33 have been selected for the team, including 13 sophomores who are returning to wear the purple and white.
Returning sophomores include: Heath Tepovitch, Jon Flood, Josh Reeder, Tim Bruening, Jeff Szczupaj, Garet Dinges, Tony Nelson, Matt Kornick, Nick Dzierzynski, Bobby Torres, Jason Grubar, Brian Lewis, and Tom Wiesbrock.
They are being joined by four transfers: Chris Gedraitis, a St. Bede graduate; Bradd Vescogni from Peoria; Dan Falcon, a Mendota graduate; and Ryan Anderes, a Hall graduate.
Freshmen include David Nitz, Nick Naas, Cory Newman, Matt Glupczynski, Josh Gates, Tom Barbini, Nathan Bau, Nick Koning, Jeff Weber, Jason McStoots, Ryan Bailey, Sean Chism, Wally Zukowski, Erik Derby, Fredi Mattl, and Joe Sester.
Koopmann said the team’s strength will be position player depth, with two deep at every position.
"We’ve only practiced eight days, but the biggest plus is they all get along, which makes good team chemistry," the coach said.
The team has been doing early season conditioning based on the Tim Graf speed enhancement manual. The coach said the team is doing sprint and jumping drills at the end of every practice.
A Purple and White World Series and a game against Apache alumni are being scheduled this fall.