The Charge

noreply@blogger.com (Bucks Baseball) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Fans,

A fan sent us a message on Facebook last week, wondering why the Bucks sign so many players from the University of Illinois. I returned his message and I am also going to blog about it to fill in anyone else that has been questioning the same thing.

From 1995 through 1998, the Bucks were privileged to have Eric Snider as head coach and general manager. Snider was named the Northwoods League Manager of the Year, twice, honored in 2004 for his contribution to the Northwoods League All-Decade team and finished with an outstanding record of 163-90 over the four seasons in Waterloo.

After his time with the Bucks, he moved on to the University of Illinois and is currently the Illini’s associate head coach. He is entering his 13^th season on the Illini coaching staff.

With the help from Coach Snider, the Bucks are able to get the first shot at some fantastic athletes from Illinois.

Now you got The Charge.

Take care,

Flanky Spoyd, Social Media Specialist

The Charge

noreply@blogger.com (Bucks Baseball) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 21:47:00 +0000

Fans,

The Bucks have announced the signing of infielder Joel Hutter to their roster for the 2011 season. Hutter is currently a junior at Dallas Baptist University and played for the Northwoods league’s, Green Bay Bullfrogs for the past two seasons.

I was interested in getting to know Joel on more of a personal level, so I asked him for an interview. I asked him many questions on his childhood, favorite foods, movies, etc., embarrassing moments and goals for the season to come. Here is what he had to say:

Flanky: Alright Joel, I want to know more about you as a person. Tell me, what do you eat and what do you avoid? What’s your favorite and least favorite food?

*Joel: My favorite food? Easy -Life Cereal! I eat it every morning with a banana. I really don’t have a least favorite food. I eat everything.

Flanky: And for drinks. Any preferences?

*Joel: My favorite drink is a tie between Gatorade and pink lemonade. However, anything with tomato juice qualifies as my least favorite drink. That stuff is nasty!

Flanky: Well, Mr. and Mrs. T wouldn’t agree, but I do. Keep it out of my glass, for sure. You’re doing well in the favorite’s department, got a favorite animal?

*Joel: Of course I do, the River Otter! Do you have a favorite animal?

Flanky: I’ve always thought a male deer is quite a dominating animal. A ‘Buck,’ I believe is what it’s called. Actually, that would make for a great mascot, now that I think about it. Let’s talk baseball, tell me about your most memorable moment on the field.

*Joel: My freshman year, after the game that put us in the Junior College World Series, we rushed the field and dog-piled. Nothing felt better than knowing all our hard work paid off.

Flanky: Wow, that does sound memorable. Now, I have to ask, do you have a, ‘not so memorable moment?’

*Joel: Oh boy, yes I do, unfortunately. The summer of my freshman year, I was playing for the Bullfrogs when a relay throw was coming into third. I jumped up to grab it but took my eyes off the ball, and it hit me in the face, bounced off and went into the opposing team’s dugout. It’s hard to forget something like that.

Flanky: Ouch! But hey, now your coach has more of a reason to say, ‘use your head out there!’ If you could tell the world one thing about yourself, what would it be?

*Joel: I was born in Texas and I have a younger brother.

Flanky: I see. Your brother must be pretty special. Now, talking about the Bucks, do you have anything you would like to work on or a goal for this summer?

*Joel: I want to have a fun and successful season. I want to meet new players and learn new things from different coaches.

Flanky: That sounds like a good set of goals to me. Thanks for sharing this information, Joel. I’ll be sure to add our conversation to the blog so the fans have a chance to get to know you. Good luck this season.

The 6’1”, 210-pounder was a recipient of the 2010 Rawlings Big Stick Award which is given to the player at each position who had the best batting average during the 2010 regular season. Last year, Hutter hit .350 with 31 RBI and 64 hits for Green Bay, leading all third basemen. His .350 average was the third best average in the NWL last season. Hutter finished the summer with 10 doubles and a .436 on-base percentage in 50 games.

For more information on your Cedar Valley’s home team, visit www.waterloobucks.com.

Now you got the charge,

Flanky Spoyd, Social Media Specialist