"To be honest, I wasn't very excited about this club when we
first started practicing," Aronson said. But, I'm becoming more encouraged each day
and I really feel this squad has a chance to do something."
If someone were to pass judgement on a baseball unit,
Aronson would be the one. When the Rocks take the field next Tuesday at Davenport Central
the 1972 squad will be the 25th Aronson has guided.
What prompted Aronson to be pessimistic about the Islanders
is a lack of experience. However, he feels the team is maturing more each day and mainly
lacks game experience.
"We really only have one returning starter from last
year's district champion," he noted. "A couple boys played quite a
bit, but graduation really cut into our team."
The single varsity repeater is pitcher-outfielder Dave
Breiby by who Aronson feels could be one of the finest all-round players in the Quad-City
Metro Conference.
Breiby is a hard-throwing right hander who will be on the
mound against the Imps next week. "Dave throws hard, hits well and runs with
authority," Aronson said. There's no way to keep him out of the lineup."
After Breiby, however, the Islander picture draws many
blanks.
Only second sacker Del Newton played much varsity ball last
season, and even he is being pressed for a job.
Newton and Mike Nesseler are putting up a pretty good fight
for the second base spot," Aronson noted. They both are very small, but handle the
bat well."
A senior who wasn't on the team last season and two juniors
are catcher candidates. Rick Cloninger and Chris Koester, both juniors, and senior Dave
Sullivan are fighting for the receiver post that that was owned by Jack Pagett for the
past three seasons.
Orlando Edgerson appears to have the first base job sewed
up, although Aronson noted that Edgerson is a little shaky in the field.
Dan Seyb inherits Dan Burkehead's third base slot, while a
transfer student appears set at shortstop. The newcomer is lanky Capp Taylor who moved in
from Florida this year. "Taylor really hits the ball and shows good range at
short," the Islander boss said. "Seeley (assistant coach Jim) has been working
with him and feels Taylor is a real blue-chipper.
The outfield positions will be divided between Breiby when
he isn't pitching…Mike Thomas, Mike Green, Brent Allison, Bob Carr, Roger Evans and
Dan Zelnie.
Aronson also hopes for help from Tim Allison, Mike Polito,
Pat Weed and Dan O'Malak in the infield and outfield.
Backing Breiby on the mound will be Allison, Green and
lefty Vance Harris. Were a four man staff right now, but were looking for help from some
of the other boys," he noted. "We have a lot of games to play, and there will be
quite a few arms tested before the tournament begins."
Aronson feels West should be the top team in the Metro this
season, followed by defending Iowa Class AA champ Central. "The two Davenport schools
have the most returning letterman back, and should finish 1-2".
I look for Alleman and Moline to have fine clubs, too, with
East Moline and Rock Island rated as dark horses." he said. "Overall, the
conference is very even year in and year out."
Aronson doesn't look for much help from the sophomores yet,
but says he won't hesitate to call the Yearling up to the varsity. "We've got 41
players on the team right now, and they'll all get to play," he said. "However,
if they don't want the jobs, we'll find replacements."
