The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

PRESCOTT - The snow has melted, grass is growing, and it's time to play ball.

Veteran head coach Dustin Snedigar begins his third season with the WP Tigers, bringing with him 12 years of coaching experience that began at Eastern Washington University, where he guided the freshman squad.

He has been playing this game since he was 5 years old and is enjoying the time that he has with this program. Alongside him for another season is assistant/pitching coach TJ Scott.

The WP Tigers are coming off a 2010 third-place District finish, including a trip to the State tournament.

"We lost center fielder Lucan Gerke to graduation, so we will need to fill that gap," Snedigar says. "But the newcomers have a lot to offer, and with the majority of last year's team returning there are a range of options."

This season's turnout numbers are up from last year and should allow for a full JV schedule to consist of 8-10 games. These numbers are encouraging to the Tigers' coaching staff, which will strive to develop strong fundamentals with the younger bunch that will be the future core of this program in years to come.

Snedigar's practice regimens will be to concentrate on strengthening defensive tactics, specifically fine tuning the double play.

"There are four must wins this season," he tells players. "Now, early on, you need to come to practice focused, ready to condition and show your commitment to working hard."

This year's varsity squad has the addition of three new seniors to the roster, including TJ Hofer and Kris Cady, who previously competed in track and field, and Portland transfer Matt Hamilton.

Hofer opted for baseball his senior year saying, "I wanted the opportunity to return to the sport and spend more time with friends before graduation. I'm getting the feel of my throw again, finding my rhythm. It'll be a good season."

Senior veteran Tre Brannock will return in the suit of armor behind the plate and is looking for a return trip to the state tournament.

Senior Joe Purdin, who suffered a knee injury during football season and is now healed, is ready for action and will be one of many to vie for the king of the mound. There will be a great deal of depth this season in the bull pen with all of last year's pitchers returning and the addition of Hamilton, who has pitching and first-base experience.

Football and basketball standout junior Zach Bartlow and the young and upcoming sophomore star Dalton Estes will be rounding out the attack from the mound.

Senior veterans David Brock and Dru Summers bring their talents to the infi eld diamond, while senior Cole Smith will be their wing man in the outfield. Hofer, Cady and Guillermo Hernandez also look to bring their speed to running down the fly balls in the depths of the outfield.

Offensively, Snedigar looks to come out stronger at the plate.

"It was late in last year's season when we came into our own," he said. "This year, we're going to zero in on the bats early on."

And with the adrenaline pumping in these athletes' veins from two previous district titles so far this school year, there's no doubt those bats will be heard around the world.

Tigers Matt Hamilton and Dalton Estes practice their pitch on the mound. Hamilton is one of several seniors strengthening the team's roster for the 2011 season. The others are TJ Hofer, Kris Cady, Joe Purdin, Cole Smith, David Brock, Guillermo Hernandez and Drew Summers. Below: The late afternoon sun comes down on the Tigers' practice field in Prescott, where the team's home games will be played again this year.

"We finished 9-14 last season," Purdin said. "We've improved since the beginning of the 2010 season and are starting off stronger this year and returning to the state tournament is definitely a team goal."

So grab your blankets and some peanuts folks, and come on out to cheer on your Tigers as they put in their run for some hardware. The 2011 season kicks off Thursday, March 17, in Weston-McEwen at 4 p.m.

WP Baseball Roster:

Justin ZugerTucker AllemanDavid BrockKris CadyTre BrannockJoe Purdin

Dalton Estes

Dru Somers

Zach Bartlow

T.J.Hofer

Guillermo Hernandez

Matt Hamilton