Raptors are ready to 'play ball'

OGDEN — First-year Ogden Raptors manager Lance Parrish constantly reminds his team that the game of baseball is the same no matter the level. But now that they are professionals, the style, speed and expectations are elements of the game his players have yet to encounter.

"For guys coming in from high school and college this is a different type of game, but the expectations and workloads are a little bit different," he said. "I think as a manager or a coach all we can really try to do is encourage these guys and try to point them in the right direction and try to motivate them."

He'll accomplish that through teaching the proper fundamentals and execution.

"They (the organization) want guys that know how to play the game and who are familiar with situations and what they are supposed to do," he said.

The Raptors open the 2006 Pioneer League season tonight at 7 at Lindquist Field against rival Orem.

Eight players who were part of Ogden's first-half championship team last year are back with the club, and those players will provide the stability for the younger players who are making the jump up from the Gulf Coast League or who are playing professional baseball for the first time.

Eleven players from four-year colleges are on the roster along with nine more who played for the GCL Dodgers last season.

"Granted, most of the guys that are here are the guys that I had down at extended spring training in Florida the last couple of months," said Parrish, who won a World Series as a catcher with the Detroit Tigers. " ... They catch the ball, swing the bats pretty well, but like I said, the pitching will be a little tougher up here."

Pitchers Cody White, Nate Hochgesang and Miguel Ramirez were with the Raptors last year. Hochgesang went 1-2 with a 4.24 ERA in 14 games before being called up to Columbus where he was 1-0 with a 6.62 ERA. He fanned 26 and walked just seven with the Catfish.

White (1-3, 6.92) appeared in 17 games and compiled 40 1/3 innings, while Ramirez, who led the GCL with five saves, pitched in just 11 2/3 innings after being called up.

DJ Jackson (.200), Parker Brooks (.226), Rick Taloa (.267), Jesus Soto (.280) and Juan Rivera (.251) are the returning position players.

"I think for the (returning) players they shouldn't look at this opportunity as one that they didn't get a chance to move up," Parrish said. "The reality of professional baseball is no matter where you're at you still have to perform well. Because they are here is an indication of who is ahead of them. They have to develop and push the guys that are ahead of them. Just because they are here right now doesn't mean they are going to stay here."