AMATEUR BASEBALL: Victory League swings into action Sunday

Manager: Loren Thiesse

2011 record: 4-7

Players who left: Jack Hegarty

New players: Dalton Tibbetts, Ryan Thiesse, Josh Haberman

Top players returning: Zach Heidmann, Matt Aberle, Brad Waytashek

2012 outlook: “We have a lot of returning guys and we picked up a few new players,” Thiesse said. “If we have pitching like we are expecting we should do alright.”

Manager: Jesse Smith

Assistant coaches: Russ Wicklund, Chris Olander

2011 record: 1-11

Players who left: Pitcher Steve Exsted, right fielder DJ Boelter, third baseman Cory Henningson

New players: Pitcher/1B AJ Hartshorn, SS-OF-P (Jordan Hunstad), P-OF Shane Bertram, 3B-OF-P Beau Janousek, shortstop Logan Jones, possibly Tony Runde and Tyler Stark.

Top players returning: P-1B Mac Jones, C Lance Herbst, 3B Jason Hite, CF John Hoge, RF Tim Chandler, P Josh Davis, SS-2B Reed Olander, 2B-OF Michael Hoge

2012 outlook: “This is our 10th season and my 10th as manager,” Smith said. “I would have to say with the players that are returning, and the new players I have signed, this is the best defensive team I have seen us have. We are deep in pitching now and deep with talented infielders and outfielders. The big question will be if we will be as good on offense. It looks good on paper and in practice but the season is another thing.

“Our 2011 season looks worse than what it really was. We lost four pitchers to injury and three other position players to season-ending injuries early. We lost our ace pitcher (Exsted) to a career-ending shoulder injury. When you lose that many players in the early part of your season it’s an uphill battle. I think I have signed some talented replacement players this season and we’re excited to kick off the 2012 season.”

Manager: Tim Veith

2011 record: 25-3

Players who left: None

New players: None

Top players returning:

Ethan Branum, in his senior season at UW-Superior with a 3-2 record and 2.98 ERA. Ethan was 9-0 for the Rebels last year. He will pitch and play outfield.

Rob Veith Jr.: In his junior season at UW-Superior. Hitting .308 with 22 RBIs for the Yellowjackets. Rob will play outfield and infield.

Logan Kalis: In his junior season at Bemidji State he’s hitting .305 with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs. On the mound he’s 2-5 with a 4.93 ERA. Logan was 5-0 for the Rebels and will pitch and play first and outfield.

Brett Kramer: Brett was 6-3 last year and was a leader in most offensive categories. He will pitch and play second base.

Bill Sather: Bill was 4-0 last year and led the Rebels in home runs. He will pitch and play left field.

Nick Jelacie: Nick will play outfield and catch.

Rhett Williamson: Rhett will start at shortstop

Opening day lineup: Brett Kramer P, Jim Kramer C, Ray Austin 1B, Andy Waletzko 2B, Austin Schmolke, 3B, Blaine Bubalo SS, Bill Sather LF, Nick Jelacie CF, Jason Sather RF

2012 outlook: “We return our entire roster from a team that went 25-3 last year,” Austin said. “We look to defend the 2011 Victory League North regular-season and playoff crowns. Pitching will again be a strong suit for a team that won its first 22 games.

“Highlights will be returning to Moorhead in May to defend our NW Amateur tournament title and returning to Arlington and Gaylord in June for the Miller Light Invitational where we finished second to perennial Class B power Savage.”

Manager: Aaron Jenkins

2011 record: 22-9-1

Players who left: P Josh Haberman, P Dan Bendzick

New players: Jeremiah Piepkorn (2011 Class B state tournament MVP), P Tony Whitlock

Top players returning: The entire starting lineup from last season returns: Drew Boland, Luke Schumer, Aaron Jenkins, Jason Roepke, Adam Hardy, Morgan Shepherd, Mark Germain, Tyler Wittwer, Brett Jenkins

2012 outlook: “With the success of the 2011 season, and the addition of one of the state’s top players in Jeremiah Piepkorn, we are hoping to make a return trip to the state tournament,” Aaron Jenkins said. “We will be playing a tough exhibition schedule of 16 games, including two tournaments (Sartell/St. Stephen and Hamburg/Green Isle) on top of the 12-game league schedule. The large amount of games against quality opponents will test the depth of our pitching staff, and hopefully have us battle-tested and ready for the playoffs.

“Hopefully we can have a few more guys step up and give us a solid core of pitchers built around ace Jason Roepke.

Manager: Shawn Fischer

2011 record: 16-7

Players who left: Shawn Janson, Tim Lease

New players: Cody Weiss

Top players returning: Almost everyone from 2011, including Chad Weiss, Reggie Litke, Rick Schlieman, Dan Saehr, Jason Sadlovsky, Dave Woitalla, Nate Janson, Scott Janson, Dustan Schmaltz, Jamie Litke, Brandon Lochner, Shawn Fischer.

2012 outlook: “We return essentially all contributing members of the 2011 roster so a lot of the success will depend on players’ health as the season progresses,” Fischer said. “As the roster is filled with veteran ballplayers, health is always a concern.

“Keys to success will be the health of ace pitcher Chad Weiss and the hitting of veteran slugger Dan Saehr at short. We also look for Scott Janson, Jason Sadlovsky, Reggie Litke and Brandon Lochner to provide pitching depth as the season progresses.”

Manager: Steve Kimman

2011 record: 7-8 overall, 6-6 Victory League

Players who left: Anthony Turk CF

New players: Logan Meyer,

Top players returning: Greg Pohlkamp (.379), Eric Boser (.375), Dylan Kummet (.352, led the team).

2012 outlook: “Our top pitcher, Mike Weber, injured his elbow last year and will not be able to pitch this year,” Kimman said. “We hope others step up and pitch well to keep us in games. If we do that, hopefully we can compete for a spot in regions.”

Manager: Ben Watercott

2011 record: 3-9

Players who left: Chad Herman, Joel Hendrickson, Zach Pohlkamp

New players: Jason Roscoe, Jonathon Fuhrman, Adam Casperson

Top players returning: Paul Herman, Jeff Riley, Pete Herman

2012 outlook: “We are looking to have some fun, play as a team and see if some wins follow,” Watercott said.

Manager: Eric Hanneken

2011 Record: 7-5

Players who left: Brad Gangestad, Caleb Nieken, Steve Athman, Trent Davis

New players: Mitch Dorn from Little Falls, will pitch and play INF-OF; Cody Meyer from Pierz will play infield and outfield.

Top players returning: Dan Rocheleau, Curt Caughey, Josh Boser

2012 outlook: “While moving away from the idea of the Harding Dinosaurs saying “we may be old but we are not extinct” with our current veteran leadership, and our young talent in the lineup, and with some great new recruits, we will be very competitive and have a very promising year,” Hanneken said.

Manager: Paul Oldakowski

2011 record: 8-12

Top players returning: Pitchers Jeremy Monson, Mark Kahl

Returning veterans: Joe Kahl, Pete Oldakowski, Corey Egan, Travis Kahl, Peter Suska.

New players: Nate Neeser, Zack Pohlkamp.

Players who left: Derek Oldakowski, Andy “The Penguin” Petron.

2012 outlook: “After struggling to a fourth-place finish and having to beat the Pierz Bulldogs in a play-in game to qualify for the East Division playoffs we stopped No. 1 seed Lastrup and No. 2 Harding in consecutive weeks to qualify for the Region 8C tourney,” Paul Oldakowski said. “Hopefully, with confidence from our playoff success, and new additions, we look forward to a successful year.”