Horseheads Hitmen baseball ready for 2024 season
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WENY) - The Horseheads Hitmen are set to enter their second season in the NYCBL since rebranding and moving to the Southern Tier. This year, the team has their eyes on a special summer.
Players reported yesterday and the first practice was this afternoon as the team gets set for their season opener in Hornell on Thursday. Horseheads' home opener at the Babe Ruth field is scheduled for Friday at 6:35 PM with free admission against the Olean Oilers.
This year's roster consists of over 30 players with just three returners. The team has a mix of locals but also players from around the country including Florida and California across all different levels.
The Hitmen will also take the field under new Head Coach and 2011 Edison grad, Eugene Barber.
"It's an incredible experience each and every year when you bring guys in all from across the country that initially only have one thing in common, and just seeing the interaction so far, I'm excited to get started," Barber said.
"We have a lot of athleticism. I think we'll be able to do a lot of things along those lines as and I think we're going to have enough pitching to be successful on the mound as well this year," he added.
One of the three returners for the Hitmen is Haverling grad and Genesee Community College sophomore, A.J. Brotz, who earned Mid-State Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors this season.
"We're going to be stealing bags and we're going to be hitting the ball hard," Brotz said. "I feel like this group is a lot different from last year. I'm looking forward to it. I think our pitchers are a lot better and I think we're going to be good."
As the Hitmen prepare for opening day later this week, players talked about what it will take to find success in the NYCBL.
"Hopefully we bond pretty quick, but that's always the best part is to meet new people and making new friends," said Fort Myers Florida native and Wheeling University sophomore, Christian Boyles. "Hopefully teamwork will be our bets skill."
"It's going to be everyone working towards the same goal day in day out whether that's lifting, throwing, everything," added Fremont California native and Willamette University sophomore, Adam Birt. "We all have to stay on each other, be the best we can be, everyone's got to be pulling on the same side of the rope and I think that's what's it going to take to be successful."
First pitch for Thursday's season opener in Hornell against the Steamers is scheduled for 7 PM.