by Caitlen Sullivan
Vancouver Sun Sports Reporter
April 4, 2000
PLAY BALL !!
For the first time ever, the Vancouver Mounties open the season as defending MBBA champions having prevailed in the Landis Memorial Cup in five games over the Frick League champion Buffalo Bison. (We wonder, as we always do, why Buffalo’s team isn’t plural, i.e. the Bisons. One bison, two bisons? Or are bison like moose: One moose two moose, ten moose. And like deer: one deer, two deer. It seems reputable sources agree that the correct plural is bison. End of our wondering and on to baseball!)
The locals open on the road at California in a two-game series and then play four at Valencia before returning to Northwoods Outpost for the home opener on April 9th against the Crusaders. It will be interesting to see if the Mountie single game attendance record is broken on opening day as the club unveils its new 5,000 seat luxury pavilion featuring gourmet food and locally brewed micro beers from Driftwood Brewery and from Dockside Brewery and Restaurant. The addition brings the Outpost to a seating capacity of 50,000.
Die hard fans won’t need to buy as program as this edition of the Mounties looks remarkably similar to the championship squad of last year. Missing will be declared free agents Gerardo Grillo, now with Montreal (where he didn’t impress during the spring), and Bob Nolan, now with Long Beach (where he had a red hot spring), as well as infrequently used substitute Jim Coniglio (temporarily at least on waivers and designated for assignment). Replacing Nolan will be starting right fielder Dan Druff who has at least temporarily sent club home run leader (and strikeout) leader Slammin’ Sam Hamm to the bench. Replacing Grillo on the roster will be bullpen hopeful Emundo Deleon as Alfredo Gutierriez moves into the rotation in Grillo’s spot. It’s arguable if he will remain there long as John Flaskamper and Matt Whiteside also have eyes on a rotation spot. Coniglio isn’t really replaced but with everybody healthy, his roster spot is unavailable.
Aside from having the team home run leader sitting on the bench for game one, another drama looms in the infield where Arturo Gutierriez, a hero last year at third base when Nick Mannerden got hurt, has no place to start. He will likely log time at 1B and 3B and be ready to start if and when injury strikes anywhere in the infield. It is hoped his looming presence will be an incentive to Brock Lee to get that batting average up to where a $20-million-man should be. Arturo actually replaced Lee as the starting first baseman in the league championship series when Mannerden returned to the roster. Reportedly Jason Sherman is unhappy at being optioned to Victoria rather than being on the roster, but the front office wants him to get significant playing time rather than languishing on the bench.
See you at the Ball Yard in the new pavilion drinking delicious local draft beer! Go Mounties!