May 19: West, Asanovich Ready to Play for Real

Spring training baseball games are fun. But in the big picture – heck, even in the small picture – they don’t mean anything at all.

So after going 2-2-2 in six pre-season, no one is more fired up to start playing games that matter than your 2010 Winnipeg Goldeyes.

“I know we have to play these games,” said veteran right fielder Kevin West. “But if you’re asking me, I’d rather practice, take a lot of batting practice and do extra work in the cage than play games that don’t matter. It’s May. It’s time to start playing games that matter.”

Thursday night, West and the rest of his teammates will get their wish. The expansion Lake County Fielders come to town to open the season at Canwest Park and this first four-game series will be quite a test for the Fish.

After all, for the veterans on this veteran Goldeyes team, the Fielders come to town with some pretty familiar names. Pitcher Garry Bakker helped Fargo win the Northern League championship last season while reliever Chris Homer pitched out of the Goldeyes bullpen last year. Catcher Anthony Esquer was one of two catchers in Gary last season. The other was Brett Wallace. And Joliet veteran Joey Gomes will DH and play the outfield for the Fielders as Lake County tries to make an impression in its inaugural series on the road.

“I’m just glad we’ll be playing real games,” said Goldeyes second baseman Josh Asanovich. “I know the importance of these spring games we play. We have to work on a lot of things and these games help us get ready. There are always a lot of little issues you have to work through.

“For instance, last season Wes (shortstop Long) and I were really coming together as a unit when he was injured. He missed almost the entire last half of the season and there is no doubt, when spring training started, he and I had to start over, in terms of timing on the double play and always knowing where each other is going to be. We used the spring games to get that timing back and now I think we’re ready to go.

“I’m excited that we’re getting the regular season underway and I’m really excited about our team.”

Game time Thursday is 7 p.m. Fireworks will follow the game. As for Asanovich and West, they just hope there will be plenty of fireworks during the game.