CrowRiverReview www . CRVLbaseball . com Page 5
CRVL Hot Stove : The 212 west corridor
PHOTOBYKIPKOVAR
Dane Schwirtz and the Plato Bluejays will be looking to continue their momentum theyhadin2023intothe2024season .
����������� GOOD LUCK ����������������������� �B�R�O�W�N�T�O�N� �B�R�� UI�N�S
BY ORAY TANGEN Sports Writer
The unseasonably warm weather has me thinking about the coming baseball season sooner than normal . The early thawing of baseball fields projects an ontime start to the spring season .
I was able to catch up with the managers of the teams I cover in the CRVL . The group of teams , which I entitled the “ 212 West corridor ,” includes the Plato Bluejays , Glencoe Brewers , and the Brownton Bruins .
It ' s mostly rumors to this point as teams are waiting for clarity from current players on whether they will be able to play this year , while also making additions from the pre-existing talent pool , or signing brand new members to the league . Players can ’ t officially sign until the March 11 meetings . What to watch : The shortstops for all three teams , Dane Schwirtz ( Plato ), Jake Christianson ( Glencoe ), and Scott Finberg ( Brownton ). It was a real treat to cover these three last year as they all play the position in a way that is almost poetic . All three are rangy , with great arms and they usually make a play or two a game that leaves you with your jaw dropped open wondering how they did it .
Plato Bluejays
2023 season record : 23-9 , lost to Luverne in the second round of the state tournament
Departures : none official . There is a rumor that ace Drew Hedtke will attempt to play in a summer college wood bat league , leaving his status up in the air . Hedtke would be a huge loss for the Blue Jays as he went 5-0 last year with an eye-popping 0.60 ERA and 87 strikeouts ( I proudly contributed with one of those 87 ) in 60.1 innings pitched .
Don ’ t feel too bad for the Blue Jays , everywhere you look is another ace . Helping ease the potential loss of Hedkte includes Reece Schwirtz ( 7-1 , 1.15 ERA , 81 strikeouts , 54.2 innings pitched ), 2023 Region 7C MVP Will Hoernemann ( 2-1 , 0.68 ERA , 25 strikeouts , 26.2 innings pitched ), and Adam Prehn who will return to pitching after being limited to only 19 innings last year as he dealt with elbow issues .
Arrivals : The Blue Jays plan to sign Dayton Franke as a heritage pickup . Dayton is the son of longtime Blue Jay Dave “ Popeye ” Franke . Dayton is a three-sport athlete at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and is committed to playing college baseball at South Dakota State University . Franke is a lefty and switch hitter that manager Adam Dammann sees playing outfield , first base , and pitching .
Although not a new arrival , last season ' s co-manager Nolan Lepel plans on making a return to playing . Lepel was the CRVL batting champion in 2021 (. 436 batting average !) before taking the last two years off due to recurring knee injuries . Key Hitters : League MVP 3B Matt Odegaard batted . 381 last season with a . 480 on-base percentage . 28 RBI ’ s . OF Caden Lang , . 315 BA , 2 HR ’ s IF Brady Graupmann , . 333 BA 1B Bennett Lepel , . 267 batting average SS Dane Schwirtz , . 262 batting average . 151 plate appearances led the team .
Forecast : Manager Adam Dammann says a lot of the success will depend upon some of the younger players stepping up into leadership roles . Dammann also said it will be key for some of the players who are no longer attached to high school , legion , or college baseball teams to prepare for the upcoming season .
seeCRVL212TEAMS , Page6
Good Luck Teams !
Locally owned and operated
2131 Commerce Blvd , Mound , MN
( 952 ) 472-3108 • www . moundjubilee . com