Royals Refresh Memories in Delta Scrimmage

                The teams played nine innings to try to get several pitchers into the game. Blissfield scored 16 runs on 10 hits and 9 Delta errors. Delta scored three runs on nine hits and one Blissfield error.

                “We have an early season scrimmage to find out what we have to work on. The nice thing about this group is that we have a lot of experience back. Working on it is just a matter of refreshing our memories,” said coach Larry Tuttle, who has guided the team to seven state titles and more than 1,000 victories in more than 40 years as skipper.

                Last year, the Royals came within a game of winning their 8^th state title. The team graduated just four starters from last year’s group. Ace Eric Schmidt returns to the mound. Adam Warner and Cody Spotts give the Royals about as good a double play combination as a team can possibly expect. Big Dylan Esterline is at first. Sophomore Josh Knorr will follow up on his fabulous freshman year by playing catcher and third base. When Schmidt isn’t throwing, he’ll see time at third. Otherwise, expect young James Trevino to see work there. Big Travis Babbitt returns at DH. Kyle Wehner and Jake Waldvogel are among the outfielders. Spotts, Trevino and Devin Suiter will also pitch.

                Despite the wealth of returning talent from last year’s state finalist team, Tuttle will have some work to do figuring out his lineup.

                “The thing is, we’re not very deep and we’ve got guys learning two and three positions. And I was very pleased because some of these guys are playing at positions where they haven’t been at,” Tuttle said, of the performance at the scrimmage. “It’s just a matter of getting ourselves ready mentally. These kids know what they want to do. They’ve been there.”

                With seven seniors and just one junior, Tuttle and his staff are counting on help from the sophomore class.

                “I was pleased with the way the sophomores performed. They’re always going to be behind at this stage of the season, swinging the bat. Learning the game and understanding the game is the important thing we’ve got to focus on,” Tuttle said.

                Tuttle said it felt great to be back on the diamond with the boys.

                “We started a week late, so as far as the weather goes, this might be one of the best springs we’ve had,” he said.

                Tuttle said he’d love to see more people come enjoy Blissfield’s games at its beautiful ball park.

                “It would be great. They’re going to miss a good ballclub if they don’t,” Tuttle said. “This is a great ballclub to watch. It’s a great group of kids. And hopefully, people get a chance to come out and see them play because this group of kids deserves it. They’ve worked hard throughout their career and I hope that we get the support from the community that they deserve.”