A total of 15 kids are out for Dove Creek Bulldogs baseball this season.
The only problem, just four of which are lettermen.
Its looking better as far as the future, because we only lose one senior as far as experience, said 50th year Dove Creek coach Ken Soper, 47 of which as the head coach.
Senior shortstop Dalton Davis will captain the team, along with fellow letter winner Dalton Randolph, a junior. Each will see time at pitching.
I think well be pretty good. I think well be competitive this year, Davis said. We have some depth, got a little more this year than we did last year. I think well be alright, and win some games and be OK. I want to succeed as a team and see the team try their hardest.
Sophomores Nick Jones (second base, outfield) and Tyson Smith (catcher, third base) are the other letter winners on Sopers diamond. They will primarily play infield. One infielder in particular with little baseball experience, but knows the diamond well, is third baseman Zoey Young. The senior has been an All-Southwestern League third baseman for the Montezuma-Cortez softball team. Young, not to mention, is a 2011, 2A All-State cheerleader, as she helped the Lady Bulldogs to a state runner-up finish.
Although Dove Creek won just once last year, the old ball coach feels his pack of Bulldogs can compete well in what appears to be a more evenly matched San Juan Basin League this season.
This league is going to be younger than what it was last year, Soper said. Its going to be a tough battle with the inexperience we got.
Dove Creek has a game tentatively scheduled today at home versus Shiprock (N.M.). Play will for sure happen Thursday in Farmington, N.M., at the three-day Piedra Vista tournament against New Mexicos Bloomfield High School at 1 p.m.
I think the tougher the competition is, the better well become, Davis said. I think well be a lot more competitive after this coming weekend.
The Bulldogs host Utah border rival Monticello on March 21 in a doubleheader before going on spring break.
Naturally, in the nonconference, its trying to get these kids some experience, so well be ready for when league starts, Soper said. Id say right now, were probably as good as we were at the end of the season last year. Theyre coming along.
League play starts April 10, at Ignacio with a doubleheader. The Bulldogs host rival Dolores for a doubleheader on April 17, and return the two games against the Bears on the road April 28. Dove Creek concludes the regular season May 1, with a road nonconference game at Navajo Prep in Farmington.
With Davis being the senior captain with the most experience, he has cherished his three previous years playing for his coach. Soper is a member of the Colorado Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, also known as the Colorado Dugout.
Oh man, so many skills that guy has taught me, Davis said about Soper. Its unbelievable. Theres so many things I didnt know before I came and played for him. Its pretty awesome to be behind a good coach.
NOTES: Soper was informed before the 2011 football season that this would be his last year coaching football and baseball at Dove Creek. A Dolores County school board meeting is scheduled Thursday in Dove Creek at 7 p.m., to determine who the high school coaches are for the 2012-13 academic school year. A workshop is slated for 6.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.