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Baseball team to begin play on June 8 By GREG STILES The Southern Oregon RiverDogs make their debut June 8 at Miles Field. The independent team made up of college players on summer break will play for manager John White. "We're just about finished scheduling," says Jim McAbee, the team's general manager. "We're still gathering game sponsors and doing fund raising anywhere we can." Workouts will begin in earnest in two weeks. The nickname was borrowed from the Charleston RiverDogs of the South Atlantic League. "We were wanting something to go with rivers, since we're getting players from the Klamath, Umpqua and Rogue river areas," McAbee says. "It's nothing profound, but we think it's workable." A 25-man roster of players from Southern Oregon will be coached by White, operator of the Baseball Academy at Miles Field. "We've got two or three uniforms left," White says, "but we're pretty full. If someone comes along that can help us, though, we certainly wouldn't turn them away." Among the players committed to playing for the RiverDogs are: Zach Allen (Willamette University), Tim Alvarez (Eastern Arizona JC), Andy Bartels (Willamette University), Dan Bruce (Eastern Arizona JC), Casey Campbell (Sacramento City College), Colby Gonzales (Lassen Community College), Charlie Jensen (Trinity University), Mike Newman (Riverside Community College), Nate Mayben (Western Baptist), Steve Pergin (Lane Community College), Caleb Robbins (Western Baptist), Chuck Shine (Lassen Community College) and Kyle Taylor (College of the Siskiyous). "We're going to need a lot of pitching," White says. "Playing five games nearly every weekend means we'll need at least nine pitchers. But a lot of the guys will be able to play positions as well." The season-opening doubleheader is against College of the Siskiyous' summer team. Other opponents on the schedule are the Portland Wildcats, Redding, Calif., Oaks; Eugene Nighthawks, Bend Elks, Redding Spirit and Eugene Blue Sox Tickets are now on sale. A season pass for the RiverDogs is $20. Admission at the gate will be $2 for adults and $1 for children and seniors. Anyone wishing to help the club with equipment or operating funds should call McAbee at 779-5920. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.