A few Whitecaps notes

Sounds like their manager will be back in '10

There's a good chance West Michigan Whitecaps fans have seen the last of pitcher Casey Crosby, shortstop Gustavo Nunez, first baseman/designated hitter Billy Nowlin and first baseman/third baseman Ronnie Bourquin.

Those four players were the cream of the crop for the Whitecaps in 2009 and deserve to be considered for promotion in 2010.

A solid spring training also might put second baseman Brandon Douglas, third baseman Bryan Pounds and pitchers Luke Putkonen, Anthony Shawler, Tyler Stohr and Adam Wilk up for promotion.

But fans can expect manager Joe DePastino to be back for a third season.

Despite being eliminated in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs last week by the Great Lakes Loons, it was another successful season for West Michigan, which finished the regular season 81-59, second-best in the 14-team league.
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As for who will manage the team, official word from the parent team Detroit Tigers won't come until late November at the earliest.

DePastino, who won 11 more games during the regular season this season than in 2008, said he wants to be at this level and has been a great fit.

"To me, there's no better place to play or manage than here," said DePastino, who turned 36 this month. "The atmosphere is great, the fans and facility are great and I have been blessed and honored to have had the opportunity to come here as a first-year manager.

"It's awesome here, and I love being at this level. I'm big on developing, and I take more pride in watching these guys move up."

There was also a note in there that the Whitecaps have made the playoffs in 14 of their 16 seasons. No wonder they are the five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time, five-time MWL Champions.

I wonder if it will be awesome there after this:
Ferris State-Michigan Tech “Battle at the Ballpark” football game up next at Fifth Third Ballpark

Now that baseball season is finished at Fifth Third Ballpark, the home of the Whitecaps is gearing up to host several football games. First on the ballpark’s fall schedule is the “Battle at the Ballpark,” a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup between the Ferris State Bulldogs and the Michigan Tech Huskies on Saturday, October 3 at 7 p.m.

Ferris State, located in Big Rapids, will be the home team for the contest. The Bulldogs are currently 1-2 on the season going into this Saturday’s matchup against top-ranked Grand Valley State University. Michigan Tech, located in Houghton in the Upper Peninsula, is 0-2 after a second-half rally fell short last weekend at Ashland.

Plus, two high school games in October!