Goldeyes get set for some game action

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This article was published 02/07/2020 (2112 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FARGO, N.D. — As Winnipeg Goldeyes manager Rick Forney watched his players during a recent workout, he was struck by the team’s potential.

In theory, he said, one would think the level of play this season should be better than ever.

“There are good guys in the infield, but I got a major-leaguer standing in centre field (Darnell Sweeney),” Forney said this week. “I’ve got a right-fielder (Logan Hill) who has been hitting 15 to 20 home runs in Double-A and Triple-A the last couple years. I’ve got two really good catchers (John Nester and Roy Morales). We have a lot of good baseball players.”

The Goldeyes open their abbreviated 60-game season tonight at Newman Outdoor Field, which is their 2020 home owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they’ll be in their familiar position as the road team when they face the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

The season opener comes exactly three weeks after the American Association announced that six teams would play this season.

“I somewhat had a roster in place, but I somewhat stopped building because I didn’t think we were going to play,” Forney said. “When this whole thing came together, we had to put it together really fast. I had some immigration issues because I had some guys signed that couldn’t come into the U.S. I had some guys who chose not to play this year and move on with their careers. I had to get some players in a hurry.”

For the six teams who are playing in what is normally a 12-team league, there were players available. The league held a dispersal draft two weeks ago, where the six active teams drafted players from the six teams that are inactive. Winnipeg drafted nine of the 42 players chosen in the draft, giving the Goldeyes and the other active teams a mix of additional independent league stars and much-needed depth.

There’s even more talent available after Minor League Baseball cancelled its season on Tuesday. Baseball America reported that Minor League Baseball players could sign with independent teams if approved by the player’s team. The Mexican League also cancelled its season earlier this week.

“I think the media coverage and scout coverage could be bigger than ever before,” Forney said. “We’re the only game in town.”

Chris Coste, who is serving as the RedHawks’ interim manager this season, feels this season will provide players with more exposure than ever before.

“There are guys on the field on both teams that, if we get a whole season in, they will be signed by somebody,” said Coste, a Fargo native who was a member of the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies. “There will be a couple guys or more in this league who will make the major leagues as a result of us playing this season.”

The Goldeyes had just nine players on their training camp roster who played in Winnipeg last season. Despite the new faces on both teams, a pair of returning pitchers will start tonight’s game. Left-hander Mitch Lambson, who is in his fourth season with Winnipeg, is expected to face RedHawks right-hander Bradin Hagens, who pitched just seven innings with the AA club last season before spending the rest of the year with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Triple-A team.

Goldeyes first baseman Kyle Martin acknowledged last week that he was still learning the names of many of his new teammates. The pitching, in particular, has caught his eye.

“Normally, the hitters lag behind the pitchers,” Martin said. “That will take a little longer than normal.”

Newman Outdoor Field has been approved to play games at 50 per cent fan capacity, which means a little more than 2,000 fans could be in attendance for tonight’s game. Stadium staff will be required to wear face masks, while fans are encouraged to do so but aren’t required. Additionally, hand sanitizing stations, plastic shields and enforced social distancing between fans will be part of the safety measures. 

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