JUNE 3, 2004
Baseball returns to G.F.
Golden Eagles begin play today in 26-year-old collegiate league
By MICHAEL LEWIS - mlewis@poststar.com

Published on 6/3/2004
Local Sports
THE POST-STAR

GLENS FALLS -- Will Groff slowly took in his surroundings Tuesday, and looked like the happiest fella in the world.

The former Queensbury baseball star was standing in the middle of the diamond at East Field, which looks dramatically better than it did just a few months ago.

He is home after a successful first year at Cortland State, and now he is a member of the inaugural roster of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles, the New York Collegiate Baseball League franchise that will debut tonight at 7 p.m.

"I couldn't have dreamed of anything better than this," Groff said as his new teammates stretched and introduced themselves to each other. "To be home and to play in a great league like this, it's just perfect."

If Groff's cohorts on the Golden Eagles are as happy in late July as he is now, then Glens Falls will have had a heck of a season.

The 42-game schedule for the NYCBL's 12 teams begins today, and when the first Mohawk Valley Cobras hitter steps into the batter's box shortly after 7, a new era in area baseball will have begun.

The NYCBL, a 26-year-old league that features college players from all over the country, is entering Glens Falls and Saratoga this season, hoping to spark a rivalry and develop a foothold in a place baseball has failed before, most recently when the Adirondack Lumberjacks left in 2002.

"I think we're going to have a real solid team; every kid I targeted that I wanted to get, we ended up getting," said Golden Eagles head coach John Mayotte, a Hudson Falls native.

With players coming from different schools around the country, the players admit it's impossible to know yet how good the Golden Eagles will be.

But several players stand out. Glens Falls native Dane Cory had a solid season pitching for the College of Saint Rose, going 5-2 with a 3.45 ERA. First baseman Phil Rothkugel hit .363 for Central Connecticut State, which will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

And infielder Eric Lawson hit .363 with 29 RBIs for Bowling Green.

Of course, that was all with aluminum bats, which aren't allowed in the summer leagues. Only wooden bats can be used, meaning low scores could be the norm for at least the first week or two.

"Hitting with wood bats is an adjustment, but not as much as it used to be," Lawson said. "Most of us use wood bats all through fall ball and the winter. It really helps you because it forces you to get your mechanics perfect.

"You can have some mistakes in your swing with aluminum and still get a hit. With wood, the ball's not going anywhere unless your swing is sound."

Mayotte, who has coached summer ball in the past, said he expects his roster to be balanced between singles hitters and power guys. His pitching staff is deep, but Mayotte said he doesn't anticipate anyone sitting on the bench for too long.

"These guys need to play to get seen by the scouts, and that's why I tried to take several guys who can play a few different positions," Mayotte said. "Everybody's going to be able to fit in somewhere."

While they're fitting in, they'll get to enjoy a renovated East Field. A new infield was put in this winter, and the bleachers have been spiffed up and refurbished. The outfield grass has also been re-planted and looks to be in great shape.

"I remember what this field looked like a little while ago, so to see it look like this is just awesome," Groff said. "Coach Mayotte and Mr. (team operator Charles) Adams and everyone involved with renovating it did a great job."

The Golden Eagles will get their first crack at new rival Saratoga on Friday night, when the Phillies visit East Field for the first of eight meetings. Saratoga's home opener is June 8.