New look Stallions start season with loss.

The Stallions officially began their third season on April 17th with a loss to some team from Lakeville. The uniforms aren't the only thing about the squad that have changed for this season; there's been a lot of turnover in the player department as well. Just like everything else in the league, nothing is certain, so we can only speculate as to the losses and acquisitions for this season:

Retired:
Paul DeLong, 2b, RF.

Doing the Brett Favre dance:
Tim Taggart, SS, P (possible shoulder surgery, more info to come)
Nate Folcik, 2b, 1b (on the Disabled List, scheduled to come off on Sunday, April 25th)
Adam Lunemann, P, C (suffering from dead arm, scheduled for MRI on Friday, April 23rd)

Hasn't been to a game, but rumored to return:
Neil Klinger, OF
Mark Waters, 2b
Adam Morris, OF
Al Johnson, P

Returning:
Michael Anderson SS, P
Colin Anderson, OF, C
Michael Haas, P, 2b
Jake Rezac, 3b
Ben Hamborg, 1b
Josh Holm, P, OF
Kyle Fredrickson, P, OF
Marty Anderson, OF, C

New Faces:
Luke Neuville, C, OF

The hometown nine had just seven players show up for the season opener, forcing spectator Mara Appel DesLauriers and some random guy from the other team to fill in. With the depleted roster, the boys in blue were easily defeated. Josh Holm pitched admirably but was relieved by Michael Anderson at some point. Despite the loss and unsettled roster, the Stallions insist that they're still on track for a successful 2010 campaign.

"We always start slow. We don't have spring training, so many of us haven't even touched a baseball since last September," explained Anderson. "We'll settle into our positions and remember how to field. We know what we have to do to win. And the other teams aren't any good anyway."

Expectations are indeed high for the team that was eliminated in the league semi-final last year in heartbreaking fashion. However, the intensity of the series may have caused irreparable damage to some players bodies and the entire spirit of the organization. Besides injuries to pitchers Taggart and Lunemann, the unsatisfying end to last years season isn't sitting well with some players.

"The playoff series was great, but I think we were in a little over our heads. We like to have fun, and sometimes playing super intense baseball isn't fun; especially if you lose while making dumb mistakes," said Michael Haas. "For some guys, it's like, if we're going to get serious and win, we need to learn how to do things the right way, like a real team. If not, let's just have fun."

Manager Michael Anderson understands the feelings of his players. During the Stallions exhibition game, he announced to the dugout that, "we're just going to have fun this season." And he promised not to argue with umpires all the time, kick dirt, or toss his helmet.