Loeffler's Link

Play ball! Renegades looking for

improvement in second season​

The Jefferson City Renegades loosen up prior to Monday evening's practice at Vivion Field.

May 29, 2018

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. --- Call Year One for the Jefferson City Renegades an experiment.

Well, they survived the experiment ... and they're baa-aack.

It's now officially an experience --- it's our own independent baseball team complete with bounce houses and dance and hula hoop contests and other festivities that make these games their own, unique experience.

Fun.

It's what brought Mike DeMilia back for more.

"It was a heck of a lot of fun last year," said the Renegades' second-year head coach. "I love coaching college baseball (he was head coach at Lincoln and an assistant at Truman State) and even though these aren't my guys all year, for two months, at least, I can be a part of their development.

"We're looking to build on what we did last year."

Last year, the Renegades were a competitive 20-26, losing in the first round of the MINK playoffs.

"It's not just summer baseball, everybody wants to win," Renegades Team President Steve Dullard said. "They want to win the MINK League championship."

MINK stands for Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, and all of those states had teams when the league was formed --- dating all the way back to 1910. Now, maybe it should be called MI --- seven of the eight teams are in Missouri, one is in Iowa.

There was never any doubt, Dullard said, the Renegades would return for Season 2, even though the organization lost money last year.

"We learned a lot, like exactly how much we needed to raise to operate," said Dullard, as the Renegades prepare to host the Sedalia Bombers in the season opener at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Vivion Field. "We lost money, but I think we'll be just fine.

"We've gotten a lot better at fundraising (including a golf tournament and Trivia Night) in the offseason. That's something we quickly figured out, we needed cash flow, above and beyond sponsors."

Besides money, one other important lesson was learned --- you can never, ever have too much pitching.

This year, the Renegades have no less than 20 pitchers on the roster.

"The problem we ran into last year is that their (college) coaches shut them down, because they'd thrown too many innings," DeMilia said. "This year, we have a couple guys who are limited, but most of these guys will be able to throw more."

You can thank DeMilia for the glut of pitchers this summer, Dullard said.

"Most of these guys come with specific instructions from the college coaches, and understandably so," he said. "But Mike understands this and is very knowledgeable about it, I think that's why a lot of coaches are sending guys our way."

The roster lists a whopping 37 players (eight played for the Renegades last year) and several are from around the area, including --- Kade Franks and Adam Grunden (JCHS), Ethan Rackers (Blair Oaks), Kaden Helsel (South Callaway) and Matt Wade (Hermann).

"We've got several local guys who are motivated and here for the right reasons," DeMilia said. "Playing baseball, that's No. 1."

Playing winning baseball is even better.

"We're trying to put a better product on the field," Dullard said, "an even higher-level of baseball. That's our goal for years to come.

"We expect to compete for the championship this summer, or at least make a deep playoff run. With the roster coach DeMilia and coach (Rusty) Creed have put together, I think we have a good shot."

The team will have just two practices under the belts --- two --- prior to the season debut. But you can rest assured, the other MINK teams are in the same boat.

Still, DeMilia is optimistic.

"I know this team fairly well from talking to their coaches and following them all spring," he said. "I have a pretty good idea what they can do, but until you see them with real bullets flying, you're really not sure.

"The good thing is these kids have played all spring (with the exception of a few players who were red-shirted, every player on the roster has college experience)," DeMilia said. "It won't take them long to get back into the swing of things.

"It's just a case of getting used to playing with different guys, but I'm not really worried. It was amazing how fast we jelled as a team last year."

DeMilia continued.

"For people who are high school baseball fans," he said, "this is a whole different level. If you like good baseball in a family-oriented setting, you'll really enjoy yourself.

"We are family-oriented. We're inviting all kids to come and hang out with the guys --- we have kids in the dugout all the time --- and after every game, they can play catch with the players."

And dad can have a beer, too.

"Absolutely," DeMilia said.

The one and only Shawn Cockrum returns as the PA "Voice of the Renegades," a fact that pleases Dullard. "It's really important to have somebody who knows what he's doing, to make it entertaining for the fans.

"We're something fun and different to do in Jefferson City. We have about 20 home dates, so come out, check out some good baseball and some good talent, and have a fun evening."

Fun ... that's always a good experience.