Paints setting the bar high in 2011
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By JOHN WEND
The Chillicothe Paints
Brian Mannino, Chillicothe Paints Field Manager and Director of Baseball Operations, has been a very busy man these past several winter months.
Mannino and the Paints are gearing up for defense of their Prospect League 2010 championship, with a lineup that features only a handful of returning players from last year. However, the Paints’ skipper is excited about the new list of talented players that have signed contracts for this season.
“I really like our pitching staff right now”, stated Mannino. We have a nice balance of right and left handers with good experience.
During the Paints' first two years as a member of the Prospect League, Mannino, a former Ohio State All-American and Buckeye coach, has proven he knows how to find talent. Two division titles and a league championship is evidence.
Returnees from last year’s championship team include: outfielder David Turnbull (Dartmouth College); first baseman, Ian Neilsen (Taylor University); pitcher, Ryan Robertson (Rio Grande); and pitcher, Jason “Boomer” Moultan (Ohio). The Paints will also welcome back left-handed pitcher, Clayton Schulz from North Florida. Schulz was an All-Star starter for Chillicothe in 2009, and played last summer in Florida.
New players on the Paints’ 2011 roster will include; catcher, Greg Solomon and pitcher, Brett McKinney from The Ohio State University; Brian Stroud and Casey Weber, (Western Michigan); Taylor Emody and Kyle Dean (Ohio); Mitch Horacek (Dartmouth); Chase Greenwell (John Logan College); Wes White (Toledo); Brad Clement (Northern Kentucky); Markus Kuykendoll) (Xavier); Steve Anderson (Grand Valley State); Joe Wahl (Dayton); Trevor Cousineau (Michigan State); Casey Rautenstrauch (Quincy) and Drew Dosch (Youngstown State).
The Prospect League roster limit is 25 players, so Mannino is continuing to search for more talent to fill the remaining four spots.
“It’s not only a matter of talent, but it’s also important that the players we recruit fit our needs, whether it be a left-handed hitter, a leadoff hitter, a power hitter, a proven starting pitcher, or a relief specialist,” explained Mannino. “I’m excited and looking forward to the upcoming season and I think our fans will like the product we put on the field every night.”
The Paints open the 2011 Prospect League campaign with a home game against the Richmond RiverRats on Thursday, June 2. A gigantic post-game fireworks show will highlight the evening, and their promises to be other surprises to add to the excitement of Opening Night.
Advanced tickets for Opening Night and all Paints’ home games can be purchased at the Paints’ Gift Shop, 59 N. Paint St. in downtown Chillicothe, or by calling (740) 773-TEAM (8326).
Season ticket packages at new reduced prices, and a 14-Game Mini-Pack plan is also available. Group outings, birthday parties and advertising packages are also available.
The Paints’ 2011 complete 56-game schedule can found on the Paints’ website, www.chillicothepaints.com.[[In-content Ad]]
The Chillicothe Paints
Brian Mannino, Chillicothe Paints Field Manager and Director of Baseball Operations, has been a very busy man these past several winter months.
Mannino and the Paints are gearing up for defense of their Prospect League 2010 championship, with a lineup that features only a handful of returning players from last year. However, the Paints’ skipper is excited about the new list of talented players that have signed contracts for this season.
“I really like our pitching staff right now”, stated Mannino. We have a nice balance of right and left handers with good experience.
During the Paints' first two years as a member of the Prospect League, Mannino, a former Ohio State All-American and Buckeye coach, has proven he knows how to find talent. Two division titles and a league championship is evidence.
Returnees from last year’s championship team include: outfielder David Turnbull (Dartmouth College); first baseman, Ian Neilsen (Taylor University); pitcher, Ryan Robertson (Rio Grande); and pitcher, Jason “Boomer” Moultan (Ohio). The Paints will also welcome back left-handed pitcher, Clayton Schulz from North Florida. Schulz was an All-Star starter for Chillicothe in 2009, and played last summer in Florida.
New players on the Paints’ 2011 roster will include; catcher, Greg Solomon and pitcher, Brett McKinney from The Ohio State University; Brian Stroud and Casey Weber, (Western Michigan); Taylor Emody and Kyle Dean (Ohio); Mitch Horacek (Dartmouth); Chase Greenwell (John Logan College); Wes White (Toledo); Brad Clement (Northern Kentucky); Markus Kuykendoll) (Xavier); Steve Anderson (Grand Valley State); Joe Wahl (Dayton); Trevor Cousineau (Michigan State); Casey Rautenstrauch (Quincy) and Drew Dosch (Youngstown State).
The Prospect League roster limit is 25 players, so Mannino is continuing to search for more talent to fill the remaining four spots.
“It’s not only a matter of talent, but it’s also important that the players we recruit fit our needs, whether it be a left-handed hitter, a leadoff hitter, a power hitter, a proven starting pitcher, or a relief specialist,” explained Mannino. “I’m excited and looking forward to the upcoming season and I think our fans will like the product we put on the field every night.”
The Paints open the 2011 Prospect League campaign with a home game against the Richmond RiverRats on Thursday, June 2. A gigantic post-game fireworks show will highlight the evening, and their promises to be other surprises to add to the excitement of Opening Night.
Advanced tickets for Opening Night and all Paints’ home games can be purchased at the Paints’ Gift Shop, 59 N. Paint St. in downtown Chillicothe, or by calling (740) 773-TEAM (8326).
Season ticket packages at new reduced prices, and a 14-Game Mini-Pack plan is also available. Group outings, birthday parties and advertising packages are also available.
The Paints’ 2011 complete 56-game schedule can found on the Paints’ website, www.chillicothepaints.com.[[In-content Ad]]