I have never had a greater group of young men to coach.
Mittens or baseball mitts? Stocking caps or baseball caps? Snowballs or baseballs? Getting ready to head outdoors in spring in northern Minnesota can be confusing, especially if you’re a baseball player.
But that doesn’t matter to the hearty Cook County High School (CCHS) boys who are out for the 2011 season. And once again the Vikings will be in the capable hands of Head Coach Arleigh Jorgenson and Assistant Coach T. J. Super.
“Many of our players began throwing in mid-February, but still, the high school season always begins too quickly,” said Jorgenson, adding, “We only have one player out of 19 who made every day of 11 practices. This concerns me. Seeing snow on the ground hurts in that way. Many things can seem more important than a day of practice in the gym when it is below freezing outside.”
But, noted Jorgenson, “I have never had a greater group of young men to coach. They are responsible and competitive players who really do want to reach their potential.”
Leading the way will be seniors Will Petty, Dene Taylor, Daniel Ditmanson, Jake Plahuta, Timmy Hahn and Daniel Lunde. Juniors are Dylan Quaife, Michael Sjogren, and Hunter Farley. Sophomores are Colin Everson, Kale Boomer, and Luke Fenwick. Freshmen are Joe Borud and Ben Kratoska; and eighth graders are Alex Murray, Richie Furlong, and Jamie Wick. Two seventh graders round out the field, Leo Johnson and Rory Bakke.
“Our prospective starting lineup is unsettled. We expect our opening day pitchers to be Dylan Quaife and Alex Murray. Dene Taylor is throwing well also. We are looking for later season help from Daniel Lunde. Jake Plahuta, Kale Boomer, Michael Sjogren, Colin Everson, Joe Borud, and Ben Kroska could all see some action on the mound.”
Sjogren will catch for the Vikes. “He has the athleticism, the work ethic, and the desire for the job. Backing him up will be Dylan Quaife, Colin Everson, and Richie Furlong,” Jorgenson said.
At first base, “Alex Murray has the job, except when he is pitching. Daniel may play there when Alex pitches. Colin Everson will handle second base, unless we need to play him elsewhere.
“If we can play Kale Boomer at shortstop and Everson at second base, we will feel good about our middle infield defense,” said Jorgenson.
Freshman Joe Borud will be tapped for third. “We are going to see if Borud can handle the hot corner. Joe is becoming an outstanding player and we think he is the guy. Ben Kroska will undoubtedly get some time over there as well.”
Will Petty will handle the outfield probably in left, but he could be moved to right or center field as needed. Dylan Quaife will play center field when he’s not pitching and, said Jorgenson, “We are hoping very much that speedster Luke Fenwick will be ready to take charge of center field when Dylan is on the mound.
“Ben Krotoska will likely start in right field against Moose Lake. We don’t have a player who has worked harder to get ready, and who shows more promise. Daniel Ditmanson is also a solid outfielder who is experienced in both right and center field. Jake Plahuta will play in left field, or he can also fill in well at second base if we should need him there.
“Coach Super and I are looking forward to getting this team outside. We want this team to discover just how good they can be, and then buckle down to the task of becoming a contender as the play-offs come in late May.”
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