Mavericks Kick Off Tryouts Week

With below average temperatures and snow flurries in the air the Missoula Mavericks American Legion baseball team kicked off their 2018 season with team tryouts on Monday. The Mavericks are coming off a 2017 season that found them on a roller coaster ride through the regular season, a change up at the short stop position, a state title, and a trip to the Northwest Regional Tournament championship game.

The team had one of its most talented classes graduate last season, Nick Yovetich being the leader of the pack going to the University of San Fransisco to play baseball and cranking off a home run in his first game. Joining Yovetich at the next level on the diamond was pitcher Dylan Barkley who is playing baseball at MSU-Billings, and second baseman James Martin who is currently playing baseball at Miles City Community college, both Martin and Barkley will come back for their last season when their spring seasons are over.

Missoula has an experienced cast returning for the 2018 season, a multi talented Beau King who is an outfielder and spends time at the catcher position, a stone wall behind the plate in Clayton Franke, and a stable full of talented pitchers. Long time team manager Brent Hathaway talks about Franke replacing the athletic Spencer Schock behind the plate, “The thing about Clayton is that he is an awfully good receiver, receives the ball very well. Pitchers are comfortable and confident throwing to him.” One of the most crucial positions on the field is the catcher position and the Mavs will make a good transition from Schock to Franke.

Hathaway is going into the 28th season as being part of the Mavericks organization and has been a mentor to Missoula’s prep sports heroes since he started as a coach for the Mavericks. Each season brings its challenges from changes in talent, weather conditions, or a combination of both. Starting his 28th year as the skipper, Coach Hathaway reminisces about how he prepares for each season, “It’s a passion for the game, it’s a passion for working with young guys and trying to help them achieve their dreams.” From teaching at Hellgate Elementary here in Missoula to coaching young men, Hathaway is a pillar in our community.

The Mavs will continue their tryouts through the week and hold their annual Mavericks camp this coming Saturday at Lindborg-Cregg Field. The MAvericks will have their home opener on 15th of April when they host the Bozeman Bucks.