ROCK SPRINGS – While the unseasonably warm weather gave everyone the summertime itch, it was quickly dashed this week as residents were reminded it is still Wyoming. However, it has still not stopped one group from getting ready for this summer.
Archie Hay Post 24 baseball returned to the practice field several weeks ago. With so many Legion baseball teams having indoor practice facilities to get a jump on the competition, Post 24 started looking for a spot to start early conditioning as well. The Sweetwater Events Complex allowed the team to use the sheep barn, and they have returned there again this winter.
While this offseason has been one of change with a new coaching staff put in place, there is a lot of excitement after the growth last year.
President John Grossnickle explained two years ago the team only had three wins. Last year, the team finished second in district and returned to the state tournament for the first time in several years and was able to take fourth. The team also added an All-State player in Nick Blume and a player named second team All-State, Austin Mortensen. The big news is the team only lost three players from last year.
Recently, the American Legion team had another first as they had a sponsor appreciation night. The team invited all the sponsors to get updates on the team and hear first hand what their sponsorship has meant to the team.
Each player on the team is required to find a sponsor who will put up money to support the team. This money goes to purchases of equipment, travel costs, uniforms, meals and entry fees for some of the larger tournaments. In return, the sponsor gets a banner placed on the outfield fences of the diamond, gets recognized on any advertisements for the team and the satisfaction of helping the youth of the community.
Grossnickle said because of the generosity of the sponsors the team was also able to purchase a van for road trips.
There are a lot of new changes that will take place this year. First and most important is a new coaching staff has been brought on. Grossnickle explained last season the team could not find a coach. Dr. Kurt Hunter and Mike Blume stepped up to fill the vacancy. Knowing Hunter was only filling the coaching spot for one year, the board went out to find a coach. They were successful as Trevor Arnold accepted the head coaching position. Arnold was born in Oregon where he played high school ball before moving to South Dakota to play at the college level. It was in South Dakota that Arnold’s coaching career also started.
Knowing he would need help, he added former Post 24 player Lorenzo Webb, who not only brings a knowledge of local baseball, but also brings playing experience at the college level as well.
Arnold said while he will continue to build a winning program, he also plans to take a more active role in helping players move to the next level. Arnold said he has already been in talks with college programs to come out and look at the local talent.
Webb agreed. He said this is an opportunity for him to give back to baseball. Through his college experience, he said he can provide the players with the skills to play in college. Things he said would have helped him but were never shown to him during his Post 24 playing career.
Besides thanking the sponsors, the team was also quick to thank the Sweetwater Events Complex for providing a place to practice during the winter months. They said the events complex staff has bent over backward to help and recently made changes to the building to make it more baseball friendly.
Two players, Koltin Legerski and Ryne Grossnickle, also spoke to the sponsors and thanked them for helping provide the team with what they need to be successful on the field. Both players told the sponsors it was because of them they have grown on the field and added it is awesome to see how much support there is in the community for Archie Hay Post 24 baseball.
John Grossnickle spoke about other changes that are taking place in the program. He said for many years, teams in Wyoming have been doing what they wanted, but this year the American Legion is buckling down to make sure all teams are following the national standards. Following the standards means Rock Springs will be in Double-A with the likes of Casper, Cheyenne, Gillette, and Laramie. The change is not a worry to Grossnickle. He said many of the AA teams are going through rebuilding phases while Rock Springs is on the upswing.
The program will also have two teams with a good chance there will be a third this season. He said it would be like a farm system with the second and third teams being similar to what a minor league program would be.
“It will be a great foundation for us,” Grossnickle said, on building a program that will be strong year in and year out.
To accomplish this, there are plans for Archie Hay Post 24 players to be involved more in local little league programs. There are also plans to invite little league players to special events with Post 24 to build excitement and keep the young players excited about playing baseball.
To go along with helping with little league programs, another new change has been put into place this year. Under the guidelines of Legion baseball, players have to donate 20 volunteer hours to the Legion. Grossnickle explained this year he also requires players to perform 10 hours of community service. He said it was important for players to be a part of the community and to give back to the community for the support they have shown the program.
Another change players will see this year is the program will provide varsity letters to those players who earn them. One of the final changes this year is the program will unveil a new mascot. Grossnickle said it would be something that is significant to the Rock Springs area.
“It’s going to be fun,” he said.
Archie Hay Post 24 is planning a fundraising event for the team that is tentatively scheduled for April 25. Details are being worked out. If any business is interested in being a sponsor for the team this year, they should get a hold of John Grossnickle for information.
