The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

The Casper Hurricanes will finish the season in Long Beach, Calif., at the Connie Mack Regional Tournament beginning on July 23.

The team was excited at practice on July 18 for the opportunities that awaited them.

As coach Chris Metzger shouted orders for the young men to run laps and drop for 20 push-ups, the team members were quick to finish their penalties for errors and get back into the skills practice.

Players Lance Robinson and Martin Vazquez showed the same enthusiasm while describing the passion they feel this summer for baseball.

Vazquez, a Kelly Walsh High School freshman, is one on five Casper Storm players chosen to "play up" with the Hurricanes, the local varsity-level team.

Vasquez had just found out before practice on July 18 that he would be going to Long Beach. The short stop and pitcher looked forward to playing state champs from the region and seeing California for the first time.

Although the youngest player at 14, Vasquez is one of the strongest on the team. The first time he played up, he hit two homeruns in one game, securing a win for the Hurricanes.

Robinson, a pitcher and first baseman, is playing his last year of high school baseball. He said that it is "kind of sad" that the team is not playing other Wyoming teams this year.

The Hurricanes travel much of the time to play other Connie Mack teams. He still feels that this summer has been his best baseball season ever.

Robinson pointed out that seeing other ball fields and especially the chance to play in front of college scouts are two advantages of being a part of the new Connie Mack League in Casper.

"Last year, the nine seniors didn't get to be scouted like we are," he said.

Robinson just graduated from Kelly Walsh and is hoping to play college baseball, although he has an academic scholarship at Casper College.

According to coach Jeff Piel, Natrona County High School graduate Sean Robison was recruited by McCook Community College on the team's trip to Omaha in June.

The Hurricanes will have the opportunity to play at college tryouts on their trip to Long Beach.

Both Lance Robinson and Vasquez have many fond memories of this summer's road trips despite the rigors of traveling. Robinson recalled leaving for Omaha shortly after playing the Casper Ghosts at Mike Lansing Field on June 15.

They slept on the bus and rolled out the next morning to play the Montevideo Legion. Despite the rough night and two teammates suffering from motion sickness, they won 8-4.

According to Vasquez, the team develops stronger bonds because they get to know each other very well.

"Sometimes we get to know them better than we really want to, though," Vasquez added.

The trip to play in the Connie Mack Regional Tournament will be their longest road trip yet. According to Piel, some of the Hurricanes never have seen the ocean.

He believes new experiences and opportunities make for a great summer for the young men. Lance Robinson agreed.

"This is the best way to end the season," he said.

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