West Coast Powers Combine to Make a Run
At the end of last year there was a lot of speculation that the ISC could be losing two of the west coast’s better teams. It was rumored that both Portland DeMarini and Southern California’s Team Rainey were headed to the land of defunct as many teams have done in the last decade. Losing two teams would not only be bad for the ISC, it would be a tremendous blow to west coast fastball as we know it, leaving only two legitimate contenders in the Vancouver Grey Sox and SoCal Bombers. Fortunately for the west, Team Rainey and Portland decided to join forces so to speak. Although the team name is Portland DeMarini, there is still a Team Rainey feel to the squad as Team Rainey founder Rod Rainey comes aboard with several of his teammates from last year. The result…..a serious contender in the ISC.
Portland has added Rainey ace Bricklen Anderson to a pitching staff that already included one of the game’s best in Mike Piecknik. If that wasn’t enough, they added another ISC legend in Michael White and also inked Craig Pidcock for the year. Between White and Piecknik there are more All-World awards than you can count, not to mention a few ISC championships as well. Their presence should definitely help Anderson and Pidcock.
In the infield, Portland has one of the most underrated shortstops in the game in Brian Ree. Ree adds a steady defensive game with a spark on offense that any team would love to have. Rod Rainey, although a solid shortstop for many years, will move over to first base to solidify the defense and add gritty at-bats to the lineup. Look for Stan Grebeck and Rick Rozychuck to add depth and solid offense to the infield for Portland. Dean Waltier and Terry Traverso round out the infield.
Doing the catching will be ISC veteran Todd Garcia and Kevin Rasmussen. Garcia has had the opportunity to catch some of the game’s finest in the biggest games. He’s not only known for his game calling ability but his offense as well. Garcia has been labeled one of the most “clutch” hitters in the ISC and still has the ability to hit the ball out of the yard. He should be a great addition to the team as he helps develop Rasmussen, who has the potential to be an impact player behind the dish.
In the outfield Portland added another Team Rainey veteran in Jesse Duncan. Duncan has been tormenting pitchers at the ISC level for five years now and is starting to make a name for himself as a one of the game’s toughest outs. Alongside Duncan will be the high flying Jeff Reich and Ryan Daly. Utility player Randy Potskin should see plenty of action with his ability to play several positions and the big man, Rob Gehrke will continue to hit…and hit and hit some more. Look for Portland to be a serious threat to make a run this year at the ISC World Tournament. They start off the season ranked fifteen.