When an injury hits close to home… it’s good to know your ER is too. When it comes to emergencies, every second counts. That’s why EMH Healthcare has three full-service ERs in Lorain County—to provide the emergency care you need—close to home. Our locations in Elyria, Amherst and Avon are staffed by board certified physicians and feature on-site laboratories and imaging departments for faster test results. From ankle sprains and nosebleeds, to the most serious injuries, the ERs of EMH Healthcare are close by when you need them. Log on to EMH-Healthcare.org to learn more. EMH Elyria Medical Center EMH Avon Health Campus 630 East River Street, Elyria 1997 Healthway Drive, Avon (440) 329-7500 (440) 988-6660 EMH Amherst Hospital 254 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst (440) 988-6115 FORECAST 2011 Spring Preview LORAIN COUNTY SOFTBALL PREVIEW . .pg.3 WEOL FORCAST MAGAZINE LORAIN COUNTY BASEBALL PREVIEW . .pg.6 SPRING 2011 PREVIEW A Publication of AM 930 WEOL LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS Volume 12 Issue 3 Tim Calderwood reflects on the 2010 season PRESIDENT & tells us what exciting events we can look George Hudnutt VP/GENERAL MANAGER forward to this year . .pg. 8 Lonnie Gronek LOCAL SALES MANAGER CLEVELAND INDIANS Tim Alcorn Jim Rosenhaus gives us hope in the young - yet EDITOR experienced Tribe . .pg. 12 Katie M. Loftis ASSISTANT EDITORS Craig Adams BASEBALL SCHEDULES Tim Alcorn Tom Hutchison LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS . .pg. 10 Bruce VanDyke FEATURE WRITERS CLEVELAND INDIANS . .pg. 15 Jim Allen Tim Calderwood LORAIN COUNTY IRONMEN Bob Daniels . .pg. 16 Jim Rosenhouse COVER DESIGN WEOL BROADCAST SCHEDULES BozCorn Productions PUBLISHER SUNDAYS WITH THE CRUSHERS . .pg. 9 Douthit Communications FROM THE DUGOUT . .pg. 12 ABOUT THE COVER: Mr. Baseball Cameron Zima carried on the great tradition of pitchers at Vermilion High School. He had the lowest era of any local hurler in 2010-0.38. He was 6 and 1 with 3 saves. Cameron also was an excellent hitter with a .423 batting average and 3 triples. He has received a full-ride academic scholarship to Wake Forest University. Miss Softball Melissa Rennie is the first Wellington player to be named Miss Softball. She blasted 23 home runs in her 4-year varsity career and had high batting averages each year, topped by a .428 her junior season. She was a major reason that Wellington was the state runner-up her sophomore season when she batted .398 with 6 home runs. Melissa is already excelling at the Division I collegiate level. In February of this year, she was named Big 10 co-Freshman of the Week for her impressive stats at Ohio State where she is the catcher. Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 1 "In our sundown perambulations of late, through the outer parts of Brooklyn, we have observed several parties of youngsters playing 'base', a form of 'ball'. Let us go forth for awhile and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms. The game of 'ball' is glorious." -Walt Whitman Great words about a great game. Welcome to Forecast, the spring edition from AM 930 WEOL. Inside, you'll find everything you need to enjoy the game of 'ball'. Special thanks go to the outstanding advertisers who are supporting this magazine and our outstanding broadcast schedule of high school baseball and high school softball. Thanks also go to the athletic directors and coaches for their support. From the diamonds of local high schools to the fine fields of Lorain County's two minor league franchises and the Cleveland Indians, it is indeed time to, "Play Ball!" Craig R. Adams Operations Manager AM930 WEOL 2 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 2011 LORAIN COUNTY SOFTBALL PREVIEW By: Bob Daniels more pressure and therefore will need to have improved Softball fans can only skills. speculate about which teams "I've wanted the change will dominate as the 2011 for a long time," said North high school season draws Ridgeville's Norm Frindt, near. the dean of Lorain County But there's one thing they softball coaches. "It's been know for certain: this season proposed several times, but will be much different than it was always rejected. Now any in years gone by. the national association The reason? The pitching (National Federation of distance is being moved High School Associations) from 40 to 43 feet this says the new distance has to spring. This conforms to the be implemented this year." NCAA, professional and The NFHSA, of which international pitching dis- the Ohio High School tance and it will change the Athletic Association is a Photo courtesy of Chuck Humel - The Chronicle-Telegram high school game in several member, mandated the ways. change in 2009. The new Amherst coach Bill to be good defensive players Most noticeable, Lorain rule said state associations Matthews added that scores to field their position. I don't County coaches say, is the could choose to adopt it in are going to increase. think average pitchers will new distance will result in 2010 and that every state "A few of the best pitch- have as much success as more offense because the must be throwing from 43 ers will continue to domi- they had in the past." extra three feet will take feet by this season. nate because they're the best As always, area high some zip off fastballs. It will Many states did adopt the pitchers," he said. "But there schools have the kind of tal- give batters more time to rule last spring. The won't be as many of them. ent that will adjust readily to read pitches and create more OHSAA, at the urging of the This will force pitchers to be the change. bunting opportunities - a big Ohio Fastptich Softball better and force teams to part of the fastpitch game. Coaches Association, voted have more pitchers. I think it A highly unscientific sur- That's because pitchers have to wait until this season. will really hurt teams that vey of people who know the an extra three feet to cover "Softball is the only high don't have good pitching." game say the teams most in fielding their position and school sport I can think of Elyria coach Ken Fenik, likely to succeed this season the bunter has what amounts where the dimensions aren't the only Lorain County are the same ones that been to a three-foot head start. the same as they are at the coach to have won two state successful in the past. That The rule will also give college level," said titles (2002 and 2009), translates Keystone, Elyria, hitters and runners an extra Keystone coach Jim Piazza, agreed. Midview, Amherst and second or two to advance, so who led the Wildcats to the "There are going to be a Columbia. there will be new emphasis Division II state champi- lot more runs and stolen on base running and steal- onship in 2006. "Football, bases and the catchers will Division II Keystone, ing. And because of the basketball and baseball are need a better arm," said under Piazza's has a strong increase in offense, position the same as they are in col- Fenik. "Now pitchers can't core of juniors that includes players will be under much lege. Why not softball?" be just pitchers, they'll have See Softball on page 4 Spring 2011 FORECAST Magazine 3 SOFTBALL pitching in sophomore are headed in the right direc- in Kailey DeMarco and Christine Lyzen and junior tion after a 15-victory sea- Jenna Yost. Yost returns after from page 3 Kalyn Thompson. son. The heart of the squad an off-season injury. But Erin Pond, Kenzie Conrad, this year is expected to be DeMarco might not pitch Bee Shaw and Bri Buckley. Others to keep catcher Salena Kauffman, a because of an injury of her Division I Elyria would your eye on: Cleveland State recruit, and own. seem to be on course for a Elyria Catholic (coach outfielder Kayla Chrosniak. Oberlin (coach Josie sixth straight appearance in Brian Daw) - The Panthers Both are seniors. Eiskamp) - The Phoenix lost the Sweet 16. The Pioneers have a strong group of sen- Clearview (coach Denny at graduation last spring. welcome back senior pitcher iors that includes Lexi Myers) - Back for the But they still have junior Kristen Boros, along with Kaczay, Jasmin Filiaggi, Clippers this year are shortstop Kayla Jackson, juniors Darien Ward, Alyssa Emily Taylor, jr., Courtney Breanna Colon, Alex Barker, Alanna Williams Yun and Molly O'Malley, Wilson, Paige Schaffer, one of the best hitters and and Taryn Harshberger. among others. O'Malley is Morgan Hemming, Alexis all-around players in the But to return to the Sweet expected to be their No. 1 Renney, Lauren Kokinda, area. 16 for the sixth year in a pitcher. Kristen Whalen, Jenee Open Door (coach Ken row, Elyria has to get past Avon (coach Ken Perry, Nikki Kent and Emily Trigg) - The Patriots lack two other strong Division I Matuszak) - The Eagles Roush. significant experience, but teams in Amherst and have considerable talent Firelands (coach Judy keep your eye on pitcher Midview. returning in seniors Dostall) - Making up the Alyssa Overs. The Amherst Comets Mackenzie Brua, Mackenzie Falcons' core this spring will Vermilion (coach Roger under coach Bill Matthews Wentz, Kelsey Matuszak be Taylor Morris, Nicole Wright) - Returnees from have one of the area's top and Rachel Rogers, plus jun- Myers, Emily Loosli, Emily pitchers in junior Jen Sutton, ior Hailey McAleer. Of spe- Arlington and Samantha last season include Amanda one of the better hitters in cial interest is the return of Dostall Wright, Madi Virgin, Sara senior Amanda Arendt and a junior Brittanie Fowler, who Lake Ridge (coach Sue Kovarik, Kate-Lynn Urgo, top-shelf catcher in sopho- was the team's No.