Maddock has faith in revamped Flyers roster
After 11 seasons of managing baseball teams, Steve Maddock has not lost his passion for the game.
Following a 39-57 finish by the Schaumburg Flyers last season, the second-year manager accepted the challenge and put together a new team over the off-season, a roster he believes is filled with good individuals as well as baseball talent.
The 2008 Flyers have only four veterans and four rookies, but Maddock's 22-man team has plenty of experience. Every player has had playing time at the professional level.
The Flyers open their ninth season today at 6:20 p.m. when they host the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks at Alexian Field. The four-game series concludes Sunday before the Joliet Jackhammers arrive for three games starting Monday.
Maddock said the Flyers are anchored by good defense and strong pitching. The Flyers also will score runs, he said, with a lineup featuring Patrick "Peanut" Williams.
The 30-year-old is coming off a career-high average of .344 in the Golden League, where he earned MVP honors in 2006 after hitting 20 homers. The 6-foot-3 designated hitter and first baseman from Nacogdoches, Texas, checks in at a solid 225 pounds.
"He (Williams) played with me before," Maddock said. "He has good numbers and he's a quiet leader."
Maddock said he believes he solved last season's pitching woes by putting together a stronger bullpen and bringing in a deeper staff.
The staff includes Lombard native Dan Frega, who is expected to start the third game. Frega, who played at Willowbrook High School and Illinois State, was a 12th-round pick of the Cleveland Indians in 2006.
"He (Frega) came in better than expected. He's a hard thrower with good movement," Maddock said.
Brian Finch will take the mound for the Flyers tonight. The rest of the lineup features Ryan Luther at catcher, Chris Gaskin at first base, Bo Hart at second base, Mark Haske at shortstop, Vince Harrison at third base and an outfield of Jermaine Allensworth, Rontrez Johnson and Lance Koenig.
Schaumburg Flyers home schedule
Where: Alexian Field, 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Tickets available at (847) 891-2255, box office or www.flyersbaseball.com.
2008 season
Date Opponent Time
May 15 Fargo/Moorhead 6:20 p.m.
May 16 Fargo/Moorhead 6:45 p.m.
May 17 Fargo/Moorhead 6:05 p.m.
May 18 Fargo/Moorhead 1:20 p.m.
May 19 Joliet 6:20 p.m.
May 20 Joliet 6:20 p.m.
May 21 Joliet 6:20 p.m.
May 30 Kansas City 6:45 p.m.
May 31 Kansas City 6:05 p.m.
June 1 Kansas City 1:20 p.m.
June 3 Gary 6:20 p.m.
June 4 Gary 6:20 p.m.
June 5 Gary 6:20 p.m.
June 11 Winnipeg 7:05 p.m.
June 12 Winnipeg 7:05 p.m.
June 13 Gary 6:45 p.m.
June 14 Gary 6:05 p.m.
June 15 Gary 1:20 p.m.
June 27 Gary 6:45 p.m.
June 28 Gary 6:05 p.m.
June 29 Gary 1:20 p.m.
July 1 Joliet 7:05 p.m.
July 2 Joliet 7:05 p.m.
July 3 Joliet 6:45 p.m.
July 10 Fargo/Moorhead 7:05 p.m.
July 11 Fargo/Moorhead 7:05 p.m.
July 12 Fargo/Moorhead 6:05 p.m.
July 13 Fargo/Moorhead 1:20 p.m.
July 22 Joliet 7:05 p.m.
July 23 Joliet 12:05 p.m.
July 24 Joliet 7:05 p.m.
July 25 Kansas City 7:05 p.m.
July 26 Kansas City 6:20 p.m.
July 27 Kansas City 1:20 p.m.
Aug. 5 Kansas City 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 6 Kansas City 12:05 p.m.
Aug. 7 Kansas City 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 12 Gary 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 13 Gary 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 14 Gary 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 15 Winnipeg 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 16 Winnipeg 6:20 p.m.
Aug. 17 Winnipeg 1:20 p.m.
Aug. 18 Fargo/Moorhead 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 19 Fargo/Moorhead 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 29 Gary 6:45 p.m.
Aug. 30 Gary 6:05 p.m.
Aug. 31 Gary 1:20 p.m.