Announcement
Retooled, revitalized, revamped and recharged.
Those are the "four R's" for the 2010 version of the Washington Township Senators.
Four-time champs of the 25+ Division and two-time 35+ winners (the last in 2006), the Nats have stocked the talent pool for another run at the title.
"We lost some pretty good talent this year with Mark Alessandrini moving on and Dave Koerner and Al McNulty taking the year off," General Manager Nick Frese said, "so we had to step-up our efforts to re-stock. And we were fortunate that several great players became available this year."
And part of the reason for that was the demise of the 35+ Moorestown Marlins, who finally decided to move their core group upto the 45+ Division.
"While we take no joy in seeing the Marlins make that move," Frese said, "we were fortunate in that Gabe Mastrangelo and Jay Silver both became available, and choose the Senators as their new home. These are two excellent established players, and they will both play huge roles with the club this year."
Silver, who held down third base for the Fish, had the distinction of rapping the only homer off Senator pitching last year, a fact that was NOT missed by the team's brass.
"Yeah, he opened our eyes during that game at Rotary last year," said Ken Bevenour. "We ALWAYS notice players who do well against us, and we sure didn't miss that blow!"
As for Mastrangelo, he has frustrated Senator bats for years, and grabbing him is tantamount to the Phils signing Pete Rose back in 1979 -- you want him ON your ball club, not playing AGAINST it.
"We've all known Gabe for quite some time, obviously," Frese said, "And it is a great thrill to finally have him wearing that red jersey. He brings a true desire to win to the ball club, and I can't wait to see what he does when surrounded with this kind of talent. Should be a lot of fun to watch."
Another signing came from the more distant past, as the Senators were able to lock up Garry Ormsby, the former Maple Shade Dodger great, who was tracked down by Mike Pavlik.
"Garry was one hell of a player back in those days," said Pavlik, "And we had some great battles with the Dodgers in the late 1990s. We always felt Garry was their best player, and to have him with us now is just huge. He is a focused winner, and you can't have enough of those guys. "
Finally, the Nats re-signed an old and dear friend in Dale Amos, who played for the club for several years. Dale is looking forward to being back with the club, and the club is better for it, too.
"Dale is just a fun guy," Frese said. "He plays the game with enthusiasm and always keeps the guys up. I know that having him back will put a smile on the faces of each and every player on the team, and his ability to steal a bag isn't going to hurt, either."
So the roster is final, the stage is set, and in just a few weeks, the words "play ball" will be once again echoing through Washington Township. Let's go Senators!
