After already having played their college baseball seasons, some players continue their game into the summer with Laramie’s local team, the Laramie Colts.
“The players on the team give up their summer to play summer baseball in order to improve their game, learn new skills, rehabilitate injuries, and gain experience in a competitive setting with a lot of games in a short period of time,” Colts Manager Maria Almendares said. “These are the players that you will see playing at the next level.”
Photo: Edward Timmons. Second base forward Mason Smith during batting practice before the Colts versus Casper Cutthroats game June 7. The Colts won 14-9 against the Cutthroats.
But next to a strenous schedule, Colts Pitchers Alex Martin and Michael Coelho said that the team cohesiveness is also one of joking around and laughing with teammates. “We all love each other. We believe in the term ‘E.L.E.’ – everybody love everybody,” Martin said. The Laramie Colts Baseball Club started eight summers ago in 2005. They play on the University of Wyoming campus at Cowboy Field. This season, the Colts will compete with 27 players and three coaches on the team. “In the first seven years, the Laramie Colts have played in five league playoffs and won three league championships [in 2006, 2008, and 20090,” Almendares said.
The Laramie Colts Baseball Club has been off to a level start this season, with a record of 4-5 overall. With more than 40 games left to play, the Colts have plenty of time to turn their record into a winning one.
The Colts play that number of games in a relatively short season, lasting only a couple of months.
“Because the players are all members of their respective collegiate teams, our season is just two months in the summer,” Almendares said. “The players return to their schools for their regular seasons when school begins in the fall. Many of the players are on athletic scholarships with their respective colleges.”
In preparation for returning to school, the team is focuses on continually improving.
“The improvement of our guys [is our most important goal],” Head Coach Marty Berson said. “It’s about them.”
To Berson, working toward improving the players’ skills is the key to success as a team.
“It’s not about winning. If we improve, winning takes care of itself,” Berson said.
The Colts main competitor are the Ft. Collins Foxes, who are one of four teams competing in the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League and have defeated the Colts three times this season.
“I think eventually we are going to be on a par with them and I’m hoping that it’s between us for the championship,” Berson said.
Berson said he does not want his players working out too much during the season. He discourages players from lifting weights everyday, since it would be too strenuous with their schedule and it would be too easy for players to get injured, he said.
“These guys had a college season [and now] a summer season — these guys need a rest,” Berson said.
Martin said he would reccomend the beer and hotdog diet, which Berson referred to as the “Babe Ruth Diet.”
Since the Colts are just beginning their summer season, fans are welcome to come out and watch a home game at the Cowboy Field, Almendares said.
“The Laramie Colts are not affiliated with UW or the UW club baseball team, though our goal is to help continue to build a baseball community in Laramie and provide fun family entertainment during the summer in Laramie,” Almendares said.
Further information, game schedules and players statistics for the Colts can be found on their website, www.laramiecolts.com.
