Kettering Royals

As the days pass, opening day is almost here.  In less than 2 days the MVABL will kick off the 2009 Season.  The Royals take the field at 7:30 PM under the lights at Athletes in Action stadium.  Jason Holmberg will be on the hill getting the opening game nod from the skipper.  Behind him the Royals will have some new faces around the diamond and in the dugout.  Royals management hopes that these new additions can keep them on track as the season progresses.  Be sure to arrive early to pick your seat as your Boys in Blue play their first game of 2009.

 Also be sure to check the full schedule hot off the press for all your Royals action this season.  And the Royals roster has been updated with new player profiles for all your 2009 Boys in Blue.  Roster photos will be updated so you'll be able to recognize your favorite player when you meet them.

 See you at the ballpark!

The Royals and Indians squared off Sunday for some preseason action Sunday at Gaunt Park.  The weather turned out to be great for the teams to square off to prepare for the start of the 2009 season.  As the game was the first real matchup for both squads, things started slow for the Boys in Blue.  The Indians jumped out early as the mish-mash Royals defense did their best.  The Royals played the game with exactly 9 consisting of 2 P's, 1 C, 1 1B, 5 OF, and 1 IF still recovering from surgery to field a defense.  Everyone did their best and had a lot of fun.  Both teams seemed excited to just be on the field again.  The Royals pitchers looked sharp off the mound, Holmberg, Falkowski, Reynolds, and newcomer Frank Burgos all got some work off the hill.   At the plate everyone put at least one ball in play, capped by a deep HR by another new Royal Chris Jergens.

 With just 2 weeks until Opening Day the Boys in Blue look forward to the start of the new season.  With some new faces in the lineup they hope to pickup where they left off in 2008.

The Boys in Blue are filled with optimism for the 2009 season as they are returning 12 of their 14 core players from last season’s Championship squad. Around the infield Shawn Rudegeair and Tim Peffley will again be on tap for the corners, and in the middle Tim “Smooth as Butter” Biedenharn and Brian “New Arm” Duffy welcome Chris Tipton to the mix. Tipton joins the squad for his Rookie season after his 4 year stint with Capital University. The outfield platoon is filled with 5 returning veterans, Kevin Reynolds, Eric Jameson, Brenden Regan, Brett Reasoner, and Jesus Velasquez III. Rookie Jeff Benhase will join the rotation. The Royals hope that Benhase’s bat can help replace the void left by Ben Ailes’ absence in the middle of the order. Royals Skipper and veteran catcher, Mark Franklin, has a barrage of arms available for the hill at any time. Most notable off the hill, returning veterans Jason Holmberg and Scott Falkowski lead the crew. Holmberg lead the team in victories and strikeouts, and Falkowski’s 2.86 ERA was the lowest in team history. Reynolds and Reasoner also had a great season recording 4 wins apiece, and the Royals hope Regan, who gained his control and accuracy late, picks up right where he ended the 2008 season. Rookies Tipton and Benhase also hope to keep the opposing batters guessing as they take the mound for their first times this season. At the plate, the Royals offense exploded in 2008. 6 Royals belted a total of 14 homeruns, most in team history, lead by Tim “Downtown” Peffley’s 5 bombs. Also at the plate Rudegeair and Reynolds tied for the lead in AB’s with 101. As well as leading in total at-bats, Reynolds led the team on the base paths with 16 stolen bases, and with a team best .466 AVG, 34 RBIs, and 11 doubles Velasquez was always a threat with runners in scoring position. As opening days gets closer, the Boys in Blue are looking forward to defending their title and playing some great baseball this season.

Royals management would like to announce the signings of two new Royals to the roster for the 2009 Season.  Jeff Benhase and Chris Tipton will be joining the crew looking to fill the vacant roster spots.  Jeff Benhase, a current Xavier Musketeer playing with fellow Royal Brenden Regan, will join the outfield platoon and help fill the void left from the departure of long time Royal Ben Ailes.  Jeff will also provide some relief off the mound for the Boys in Blue this season.  Chris Tipton joins the crew after playing for Capital University and a brief stint in the Chicago Adult Baseball league before moving home to help coach the Oakwood Lumberjack squad.  Chris will help the squad fill the middle of the infield providing relief for Brian Duffy and Tim Biedenharn.  Tipton brings some size to the Royals lineup registering 6'10", but with his cat like reflexes he plays like he's 5'6".  Chris will also provide some help off the mound this season staring down batters like the Big Unit on the hill...  Both are great additions to the squad and are eager to take the field in their first season in the MVABL.

 Welcome Aboard!

As the snow begins to fall (finally) the offseason preparations are in full swing. Royals management has been working the phones feverishly to confirm returing veterans for the 2009 season.  So far the Boys in Blue will look very similar to the '08 squad as 12 returnees have been signed on for a follow-up season.  Two veterans have already announced their stepping aside. Powerhouse Ron Runyon, who tried to come back after retirement but suffered a serious groin injury before the season ever started, will be again stepping aside to continue rehabbing his injury.  And Peffley's HR bash brother Ben Ailes, with his relocation to Columbus during last season is unable to participate on a full time basis.  We may still see Runyon and Ailes in a Royals uniform this season, but only time will tell.  The are still a few vacancies on the roster that management will look to fill over the next few weeks.

Only 14 Sundays until opening day!