October baseball is here

When I was five years old, I had the privilege of attending Game 4 of the 1995 World Series between Cleveland and Atlanta. While my beloved Indians lost 5-2 that night, I had the time of my life. This year, I'm stuck watching former Indians CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee wheel and deal for their current clubs. However, my childhood was filled with magical baseball memories, as it truly was a golden age. I am sure that my love for baseball and for covering sports can be traced back to the Indians' amazing run in the mid- and late-1990s.

So I will watch the October (and November) excitement and await the valiant return to the playoffs for my Indians soon (or maybe not so soon). And hey, we can always remember back to the championship run by the Green and Gold.

For now, a few off-season bullet points:

• While college baseball is probably the last thing on most people's mind right now, this time of the year is when the initial connections are made for summer ball. When the Copperheads' general staff meets for the first time in January, there will (most likely) be a "rough draft" roster ready. There has been over the last two years by January, but obviously that is far from set.
• I spoke with assistant coach Chris Moore a few days ago, and he told me that a few players have tentatively committed for 2010, including two all-stars (David Starn and Trent Moses). Andy Carter and Matt Robertson have also indicated that they will return for another summer in Athens.
• Taylor Davis will not return, as he has agreed to play for the Alexandria (Minn.) Beetles of the Northwoods League.
• Coach Moore also told me that Brannon Belair had Tommy John surgery recently and will be out for at least one year. Certainly a tough break for the southpaw, but he's a Walsh Jesuit Warrior--he will battle back.
• PGCrosschecker rated the top 25 prospects in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League, and Southern Ohio had two representatives. Click HERE for the entire list. Dayton's Cameron Hobson checked in at 7th, while Northwestern's Dave Jensen squeezed in at 24th.
• Two snubs in my mind are David Starn and Jerod Yakubik, but what do I know? Also, Jordan Langley could make a strong argument as a closer prospect, but he is just a sophomore this year. He has time.
• The colors Green and Gold seem to be the way to go in southeastern Ohio sports this year. Not only did the Copperheads go to their first ever title game, but the Athens High School Bulldogs' football team (a team I do play-by-play for during the fall) is 6-0 for the first time in a long time (the records don't go back far enough), and they don the Green and Gold.
  

If you have any feedback or questions, feel free to e-mail me at copperheadsradio@copperheadbaseball.com. Stay locked to copperheadbaseball.com, as the 2009 season rewind will be available at our podcast soon. Go Copperheads!

- Brian