The Normal Community
West baseball team is definitely looking forward to a successful 2008
season. With eight returning letter winners Sean Seibring, Erich
Bushong, Dreu Martinez, Scott Wiley, Colton Moore, Blake Brown, two time
letter winners Harold Riggins and Luke Wing. The 2007-2008 baseball
season was scheduled to begin on March 15th against the Moline Maroons,
but due to cancellations it had to be postponed. The first game of the
season to be played was on Thursday March 20th against the Morton
Potters. Last year wildcat baseball beat out the Lincoln 4-3 in
the Regional Championship game. They then played the Normal Community
Ironmen in the first round Sectionals game, won 6-3, and advanced to
second round of Sectionals and lost against La Salle-Peru 2-8. Senior
Harold Riggins (INF-P) has a few expectations for his 2008 Wildcats, "I
would like us see 20+ wins, a regional title, a sectional title, state
qualifier and to win state.". Riggins is on of the seven seniors
who want their last season as wildcats to be the best they and the
school have seen. Riggins has also signed a letter of intent with North
Carolina State. Last years successful year paves a way for this year to
be even better than before.
When asked about what has been done since last season
senior Tyler Ropp (LHP-OF) said "All of the off season preparations kept
our minds and bodies focused on the big goal. Making a bigger and better
baseball team. I think that this year will definitely be a year everyone
will remember." Ropp has signed a letter of intent with Spoon River
College. During the off season the baseball team was expected to go to
Bigger Faster Stronger (BFS). Everyone who was planning on trying out
for any of the three teams was expected to go. This program is designed
to keep their athletes keep them in shape or get them in better shape.
Some players also do conditioning by themselves outside of school.
Varsity Head Coach Chris Hawkins has been coaching
since 1991 and definitely knows how to play the game. Before beginning
his coaching career he of course had to have some playing time under the
belt to get him interested. Coach Hawkins played at Lexington as a
Minutemen from 1984-1987. After his career at Lexington he moved on to
Lincoln Junior College from 1988-1989 and went on to Rockford and played
from 1990-1991. Hawkins record at West alone is 202-91 and has four
Regional Championships, a Big 12 Championship, and a Sectional
Championship under his belt. Everyone on the team has full trust that he
will help them get as far as possible this 2008 season.
Everyone is expecting a good year from our Normal West
Varsity Baseball team and has full confidence in them having a
successful year. Good Luck Wildcats. |
Harold Riggins (12) along with Varsity Coach
Hawkins and Athletic Director Stan Lewis.
Tyler Ropp(12) along with Varsity Coach Hawkins and his mom and dad.
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