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Q: “This is your 7th year in coaching and 3rd as head coach here in Alpine. What were you looking for from the team this season?”A: “To be composed of a blue collar, hard-working all-around ball players with athleticism, a work ethic, character, skills in the fundamentals of batting, fielding, throwing, running. You can’t build a team of all All-Stars and self-centered individuals; but of well-rounded, hard working, dedicated young men who love the game of baseball and will represent the community of Alpine with pride.”
Q: “Are you talking about this year’s Cowboys team?”A: “I am. I’m talking about this group of young men who click well together and love playing the game of baseball and being an Alpine ‘06’ Cowboy and making a difference in this world through the game of baseball.”
Q: “When did you first begin to assemble the 2012 team?”A: “The day after we lost to Roswell last year in the semi-finals, by a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning. I wanted to build a culture of baseball and way of life for the Alpine Cowboys, instilling old fashioned values in young men during their time here, in the hopes of preparing them for their future life. Being a good person will get you a long way.”
Q: “What are some of the sacrifices you’ve seen the youngsters on the team make to play ball at this entry level of the professional game?”A: “Being away from their family, friends and significant others for weeks and months on end while traveling thousands of miles for meager pay … but coming out to the stadium as dog-tired as they are to work on their skills and improve their level of play.”
Q: “Are you proud of this team?A: “I’ve never been more proud of a baseball team I’ve been associated with in coaching or playing in my entire career.”
Q: “Is there anything you’d like the fans to know about their team?”A: “Yes. It is the Cowboys’ poise through all the adversity of professional baseball and travel is memorable and one the Alpine community can be very proud; the hard work of all the staff behind the scenes, the players and a long list of those in the community who have given so much. I also thank my fiancée, Charlotte, my family and friends for their support through the years.”
Coach Stevens has matured through a crucible of fire; having faced numerous challenges and sleepless nights. What appears easy on the field is a measure of his many hours off the field. He aims to provide the community a family oriented entertainment value; a team everyone can be proud to say represents Alpine-Big Bend, an appreciation of the game of baseball and realization that hard work is able to bring about positive results.-------------------
In the Dugout … Approximately 7 fans have won or split the $100+ pot for getting a tennis ball into the bucket on home plate since the contest was initiated by Cowboys’ supporter and fan, Randy Jackson … LF Eric Garcia led the team with a .387 BA in 67 games (8th in the league) … utility man Eric Herman appeared had a .392 BA in 32 games … 1B/C Justin McDavid led the team with 13 home runs (10th in the league) … RF Bo Bell led the team with 57 RBIs (9th in the league) … SS Ben Ives led the team and the Pecos League with 36 stolen bases … RHP Brett Kennedy, Pecos League Pitcher of the Year, had a 6-2 best record on the team (2nd in the league), striking out 69 opponents for team lead (2nd second in the league by 1) and with a team best 2.47 ERA (2nd in the league) … closer RHP Alfredo Caballero had a 3.58 ERA to lead the team and the league with 12 saves … 1B/DH Nick “Nacho” Ochoa (3 HR/7RBI in 11 games since being reacquired late in the season) played his last regular season game Tuesday night against Roswell and will retire after the play-offs … Former Alpine Cowboys LHP Andrew Wall, signed by the Washington Nationals and assigned to their Auburn Doubledays roster in the affiliated “short-season A” New York-Penn League has a sizzling 0.00 ERA in 3 innings of relief in 2 appearances … Wall’s Cowboys’ jersey went for $450 in an auction during Tuesday’s game … KVLF (1240 AM) or KVLP (92.7 FM) provide most of the Alpine Cowboys’ games live and/or streamed via the Internet. You’ll find the schedule on-line at http://www.bigbendradio.com/ … The Pecos League offers play by play game day coverage, http://www.pecosleague.com/. Look at the left side of the home page for the listed game and click on the small adjacent baseball diamond icon …
From my perch up along 3rd base, saying: “How ‘bout them Cowboys?!!” See you at all the play-off games.
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