Grizzlies baseball roster taking shape

A blanket of snow still covers the baseball diamond at Memorial Field, but the upstart Glacier Grizzlies roster already is beginning to take shape.

Thirty-seven players are signed to try out for 24 roster spots during spring training in May.

Mike Greene, founder and commissioner of the newly formed Mount Rainier Professional Baseball League, visited Whitefish last week and says he’s pleased with how the new independent club is coming together leading up to the inaugural season.

“We’ve got a good staff in place here,” he said. “We’ve only got 90 days until the season begins, but I’m not worried about Glacier.”

The new league includes teams from Moses Lake, Wash., Ellensburg, Wash., Skagit Valley, Wash., Grays Harbor, Wash., and Oregon City, Ore.

Before the season-opener on May 21 against Skagit Valley, general manager Bob Lockman and field manager Mike Goss will have the tough job of trimming the roster.

Players from across country are signed to try out, including one Glacier Twins alumni.

Zane Ridings, a right-handed pitcher from Clarke University, is a 2008 graduate of Columbia Falls High School. Ridings, 25, will be one of 13 pitchers trying to make the final cut.

Polson native Bradley Pichler also is signed as a pitcher. Pichler, 19, threw for Dawson Community College and the Mission Valley Mariners.

Ages on Glacier’s roster currently range from 19 to 29.

“There are college kids to five-year pros,” Greene said. “It’s good talent. Some of these guys are throwing in the 90s and others are dropping home run bombs.”

Greene said some of the players are looking to get noticed while others are working back from an injury or other career set backs. The goal, he said, is to help the players move to the next level.

“The goal is to get these kids into affiliate ball,” he said. “We want that for these guys.”

“There are so many players looking to keep the dream alive.”

Of the 24 players on the inaugural roster, Greene guesses about 16 or so will remain by the season’s end in August. Some players will move up and others will drop down.

Starting a new baseball league comes with obvious risks, Greene said, but all of the six clubs are working to stay within a budget and land major sponsors.

He believes the Flathead Valley is an ideal market for an independent club.

“The population size is perfect,” he said. “And it’s the perfect size stadium. It’s not so big it will feel empty.”

He hopes the Grizzlies draw crowds of about 450 per game. Games will mostly begin at 6 p.m. and will be “family-friendly events.”

“It’s a more personable fan experience,” he said. “Kids can lean over and get autographs — it’s fun.”

Greene hopes to have all games completed within 2.5 hours.

“It’s going to be fast pace baseball,” he said. “We want to make it as entertaining as possible.”

Host families are still needed for players. All a host needs to provide is a place to sleep.

Players will be paid between $100 and $150 a week, depending on game attendance, and they will provide their own food.

“These guys are on the road half the time anyway,” Greene added.

To learn more about hosting a player, visit online at www.mrpbl.com.