by Jamie Mercer

Under the leadership of head coach Roche Croy and assistant coaches Brian Conley and Dave Juelg, the Cincinnati (Ohio) Flames are playing closer to home after finishing in second place on July 4 at the NABF World Classic in Southaven, Miss.

Entering this week’s Flames Summer Classic in Cincinnati with a 45-9 record, the Flames are winding their season down by hosting two tournaments.

"We won the state of Ohio championship, then finished sixth at the Triple A championships," Croy said. "We have about 30 teams competing in the Flames Summer Classic in Cincinnati, and we’ll finish up the season by hosting the Midwest Regionals."

The Flames earned the right to host the regionals by winning the state championship crown.

With most of his players coming from the Cincinnati and Crystal Lake, Ohio, area, Croy and his staff are able to work with their athletes on a regular basis – even in the off-season – with little difficulty. There are times, however, that Croy sees many of his players trading their bats and gloves for pads and helmets.

The Flames boast a strong line-up of athletes, including leading hitter Logan Sabo. Like seven of his 10 teammates, the first baseman/pitcher is a switch hitter.

Second baseman/catcher Cal Conley, also a switch hitter, hit two home runs and had a batting average over .800 at last week’s NABF World Classic. Eric Hooper, a shortstop/pitcher who bats in the No. 3 spot, is a power/switch hitter.

Both Conley and Hooper were named NABF All-Tournament.

Matthew Davenport, a third baseman/catcher, is one of the Flames’ most consistent power hitters who is equally dangerous from either side of the plate. Andrew Juelg, a rightfielder/pitcher, is another NABF All-Tournament pick.

"(Juelg) pitched two complete games for us (last week)," Croy said. "He’s a gutsy performer; a real gamer."

A catcher/second baseman, All-Tournament choice Tyler McDonough is the team’s smallest player but ranks second on the Flames in home runs. Austin Croy, a centerfielder/first baseman, is the team’s best bunter.

Reid Strobl, a leftfielder/pitcher, is also one of the Flames’ best power hitters. Outfielder Michael Grause, brings his toughness from the football field onto the baseball diamond and keeps his teammates fired up and focused.

A utility hitter at the plate and a closer on the mound, Joey Cloran picked up two wins as the Flames’ pitcher during the NABF World Classic. Hurler Justin Moyer is one of the team’s top two pitchers, according to Croy.

The Flames also feature Darren Baker, son of Cincinnati Reds’ manager and former major leaguer Dusty Baker. The younger Baker made international headlines in 2002 when he was saved from being run over at home plate by J.T. Snow during the World Series.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Show/hide comments

Show/hide comment form