Ross talks baseball with service clubs

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SIDNEY — Dave Ross, of Fort Loramie, addressed meetings of the Sidney Rotary and Sidney Kiwanis clubs this month.

He had recently returned from his annual trip to the Cincinnati Reds spring training sessions in Arizona, where, he said,he had “the time of his life.”

Discussing the Reds’ early successes, Ross said that it has been a great start to the season for the Reds. He said his outlook for this year was that the Reds would be able to hit the ball really well, but he questioned the pitching, particularly with the starting rotation, that would potentially be an issue for them this year.

In discussing the starting rotation, Ross described Bronson Arroyo: “I discovered [Bronson] even more out in Arizona, how much not only the ball club, but the players who played with him before and the media really root for this guy and what a consummate teammate he is. And he may still have something to contribute.” Ross then mentioned Homer Baily and his uncertain timetable to return from injury. As for the bullpen, Ross provided that they have been “as good as gold” thus far and have provided support for the starters.

“If [the Reds] can be somewhere in the vicinity of the .500 mark in late July early August, they see where they are and see if they need to add any pieces, and decide how that fits with their overall strategy of rebuilding the ball club,” Ross said. He emphasized the Reds need not to abandon the long-term strategy of rebuilding the team should they find themselves in that position.

Ross also touched on all the resent trades the have happened saying that there were “ a lot of good trades” and that the “rebuild is going good”. Adding that 3 of the 5 pitchers have had shootouts and saying “this team can hit.” Ross also saying that the team is at the 500 mark before missing people from injuries. He also stated if they can hit the 500 mark in July it can give them a wild card spot for the World Series; saying “this may be doable this year.”

Ross had a heart felt moment this year as he got to cover the Cincinnati vs. Dodgers game. He recalled that he and his father would listen to this game every year on the radio and it was something he always loved doing with his father. All these years later he got to cover this game from the radio booth was very humbling experience.

Ross provided some updates on area players.

“Jared Hoying, who became Shelby County’s first major leaguer, got to play in the postseason with the Texas Rangers,” Ross said. Hoying was hoping to make the Rangers team this year, but is back in AAA, having a decent start. “(Craig Stammen) did make a successful comeback and did make the opening day roster for the San Diego Padres and to this moment has played in two games and has not given up an earned run.” Ross went on to say that Stammen “looks to be totally healthy and things are going well for him, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy.” In discussing Corey Luebke from Marian Local, now with the Chicago White Sox organization, Ross said Luebke recently had a hamstring strain and is down for about a week. Luebke “agreed to a minor league assignment with Charlotte, the AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox,” Ross said.

Staff report

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