Lakewood BlueClaws are ready to play ball
Home opener set for Monday

FARRAH MAFFAI staff Infielder Omar Bramasco is among the players returning to the Lakewood BlueClaws this season as they open play today in Kannapolis, N.C.

The Lakewood BlueClaws took the field for the first time in 2004 at FirstEnergy Park Monday, working out for approximately 450 fans who turned out to get their first look at this season’s team.

The BlueClaws open the 2004 season today at Kannapolis, N.C., and return to Lakewood for opening day at FirstEnergy Park on April 12.

The players went through a standard pregame routine of stretching, running, infield practice and batting practice. Some of the Lakewood pitchers also threw simulated innings against live hitters, as pitching coach Tom Filer looked on from behind the batting cage.

"It was good for us to get on the field and get used to the place that will be our home ballpark and to play under the lights, which we didn’t do in spring training," BlueClaws manager P.J. Forbes said Monday. "The workout also gets the guys in the Lakewood uniform and really gets them excited about the season starting. We’ll get another workout in tomorrow, hop on the bus Wednesday, and get ready to go for real on Thursday."

BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown commented on the turnout, saying "this is always a great way for the fans to get excited about the start of the season, especially with the team opening on the road. We are real happy with the amount of people who showed up and glad they had a chance to get an up close and personal look at the players who will be wearing our uniform this season."

The players were very eager and willing to sign autographs and mingle with the fans before and after the workout. A few remarked about the enthusiasm of the fans and how much they are looking forward to playing in front of big crowds on a daily basis.

The BlueClaws concluded their 2004 spring season Saturday in Clearwater. In the spring training finale, the Lakewood BlueClaws, single-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, fell 5-2 to the single-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, the Charleston Alley Cats.

"We did what we wanted to do, except win the game," Forbes said. "We were more crisp [Saturday] on defense, everyone got in the game and we’ll leave camp healthy and that’s what we were hoping to do."

BlueClaws right-hander Matt Sweeney started on the mound. After a shaky first inning, allowing three runs, the Yardville native settled down and didn’t allow another run through the next four innings of work.

"That was not the way we wanted him to pitch in the beginning," Forbes said. "After the first [inning], he settled down, located with the fastball and changed speeds well and that made him much more successful."

Offensively, Lakewood was sparked by Bryan Hansen’s second-inning solo shot. Tim Moss sped for a triple and would later score from third when Marc Tugwell singled. Tugwell finished, going 2-for-4 at the plate, when he added a double later in the ballgame. Everyone on the active Lakewood roster played in Saturday’s game.

The BlueClaws opening day roster for the 2004 season has been finalized and will feature 10 active players who spent time with the team last season. The BlueClaws will also be carrying five players on the disabled list, two of whom also wore a Lakewood uniform in 2003.

The 2004 roster is highlighted by Jake Blalock, the Phillies fifth-round draft choice in 2002. Blalock had a blistering spring at the plate and is looked at as one of the key offensive players for the BlueClaws in the upcoming season. The BlueClaws promising outfield also features speedsters Michael Bourn and Javon Moran and college hitting sensation Alex Borgo.

Tim Moss, the second baseman who had his spring playing action delayed because of concerns over high blood pressure, will start the season in Lakewood. Moss was chosen by the Phillies in the third round of the 2003 amateur draft and was a member of the 2002 College World Series championship team at the University of Texas. Returning position players include catcher Tim Gradoville; infielders Carlos Rodriguez, Omar Bramasco, Bryan Hansen, Andy Jarvis and Marc Tugwell; and outfielder Borgo. Returning pitchers include Dan Hodges, Victor Menocal and Matt Sweeney, a New Jersey native.

Moss belted a solo home run and a two-run shot, and Jake Blalock blasted a grand slam, but it was not enough to prevent the BlueClaws from falling 24-9 to the Battle Creek Yankees Friday afternoon in Clearwater. Forbes said, "You chalk up that kind of loss as one of those days and move forward."