To the real business...

Much of the content here on the Copperheads' official blog goes beyond the specifics on the field. It will go beyond the game recaps and the feature stories. This is intended to give you random stats, fun facts, interesting stories and even some commentary on the 2009 version of the Copperheads. 

There will be two types of blogs. The first type (this one being an example) will throw some tidbits at you, and I (Brian Boesch) will be the one behind these. The other types, provided by our two staff writers (Justin Sampson and Brad Zahar) will be running blogs during home games. With few road sites having internet access, road games will not have running blogs, but you can tune into our play-by-play broadcasts available at copperheadbaseball.com or keep tabs at our Twitter account (twitter.com/gocopperheads).

Ok, so here goes nothing:

• The GLSCL season spans 51 days, and for the second straight year, Southern Ohio will begin later than most teams. Last year, every team had at least four games in the books before the Snakes kicked off the season with a victory over Xenia.
• Why is this? Ohio University is on the quarter system, which means students (like me) have to stay in school until this coming Friday. The players simply do not have a place to live. Thus, the Copperheads have to get a late start.
• This year, the Copperheads will have the second latest start. Lake Erie will not begin league play until June 24, but the Monarchs will play 12 games in Alaska, including the 104th annual "Midnight Sun Game." It is truly a unique game. For more info, click here.
• Is this a problem? Southern Ohio got off to a great start (6-2) in 2008, but the real issue was the end of the season. The Copperheads played seven games in the final four days of the regular season. The team simply ran out of gas (and pitching), and a condensed schedule can be partly to blame.
• But the problem should not be as big of an issue this year. The Copperheads are only missing out on the first five days of the season. Plus, with Delaware and Columbus exiting the GLSCL, and only Hamilton coming aboard, the season is only 36 games long this year (which, by the way, is the shortest season in league history). The only issue may be the quick start to the season. One practice and one scrimmage will probably not be enough to help coach Mike Florak set his lineup and rotation with confidence.
• The GLSCL announced yesterday that it will stream a "Game of the Week" on its website during the season. Dave Hejmanowski will provide the play-by-play, and David Boger will provide color commentary. The only "Game of the Week" featuring Southern Ohio will be on July 1, when Stark County visits Athens.
• Only one current Copperhead remains alive in the NCAA tournament. Jeff May of North Carolina will be heading to Omaha and the College World Series. The Tar Heels are a perfect 5-0, including a sweep of East Carolina in the Super Regional. Kent State (Brannon Belair and David Starn) and Xavier (Tyler Koors) each went 1-2 in their regional.
• And finally, there is a story on the main website, but again I would like to thank Jim Cox for his service to the Copperheads. He is a great guy and an avid fan.

The countdown is on. Seven days until the team arrives. Eight days until the Green and Gold Scrimmage. Nine days until Southern Ohio opens the season against Licking County.

Stay tuned.

- Brian