July 26-27 – UPDATED
This weekend the Ida Terbet Raptors will play in Wake Forest at the Factory for the first time since last fall. The previously scheduled tournament in Rocky Mount was moved to Ashboro, and the Raptors have decided to play with our friends in Wake Forest rather than make the drive for the final tournament of the 2008 season.
Raptors baseball is coming off a strong showing the past weekend in Raleigh, going 3-1 and taking first in the silver division. The Raptors started slow with some struggles, espcially on the mound, in the early spring, but have made some adjustments that have strengthened the team, putting them in a position to play some great baseball. Most importantly, the Raptors are having fun and working hard. The coaches continue to stress the importance of discipline, hard work, and learning the fundamentals of baseball. While the boys have enjoyed winning some hardware, they are often reminded that real goal is to learn life lessons from the game of baseball, not achieve some semblence of a fleeting victory that no one will remember next week, much less next year. Happily, every one of the Raptors understands this emphasis.
At the Factory this weekend, the Raptors will face the Apex Arsenal and the Area Stars from Fayetteville. The Raptors have never played the Stars before, but expect a strong showing from the collection of all star players. Coach McKinion said, “The Area Stars have been playing a lot of baseball this spring and summer and will probably be seasoned pitchers and hitters. We’ll need to play some flawless defense and hit to ball to compete with them.”
Apex will be a team familiar to the Raptors. The Arsenal are a reconstitution of the Wake County Cougars that the Raptors last played in August of last year, splitting a two game set. Like the Stars, the Arsenal have played a lot of baseball this spring and summer, though Apex has played mostly at ECAP rather than recreation baseball. Again, Coach McKinion: “The Arsenal have won several tournaments at ECAP this year, and will be very strong both offensively and defensively. They are an experienced team with solid players and coaches. We’ll have to be at our best to have a chance.”
*UPDATE – On the Capital City website a fourth team is now listed as playing this weekend – the Carborro Yankees. The Yankees are very familiar to the Raptors, and are a team that is gaining confidence each weekend. They are a very good baseball team which nearly defeated the Raptors in the championship game last weekend. This is shaping up to be a competitive and exciting weekend.
On the Raptors chances this weekend, Coach Weeks commented, “We’ll have ten talented baseball players on the field. We’ve put together a collection of some great kids who love this game and give everything they have.” According to Coach David, “This will be a great conclusion to the 2008 season, and a good way to launch 2009. We know that the kids will have a lot of fun and will do their best.”
As soon as Capital City posts the game times they will be posted here as well.
