Coach Thornton (River Bandits) on 4/21/2012 game

The 2012 River Bandits Sponsored by Mazda of Elk Grove have grown up a bit since last season.  They are led by 14 & 15 year old returners, Tanner Adams, Eric Inouye, Jake Lopez, and Tucker Elliott.  With new additions from the draft in Julian Boskett, Darius Fleming, Eric Olsen, Carlos Garcia, Jordan Driebe, and Logan Camp; along with 15 year old Ben Pigg, Anthony Garcia, and Supplemental player, Eric Gerdin, the River Bandits are guided by returning Coaches John Inouye, Scott Bowers and Manager Kurt Thornton.

Unlike last year's team, whose strength was "speed on the bases", this season's team is extremely strong and deep in pitching!  Eleven of the 13 players for the Bandits have pitching experience, with 8 of those players pitching every season they've played in recent years.  This year's River Bandits are also stronger offensively with 11 hits already recorded in the first two games.  The offense is led by Jake Lopez and Ben Pig, each with a slugging % of .800 after two games.  Defensively, the infield is anchored by Eric Inouye at Catcher, Tanner Adams at 1B, Tucker Elliott at 2B, Jake Lopez at SS. and Anthony Garcia at 3B.  The outfield is locked down by Ben Pigg at CF, Eric Olsen at LF, and Logan Camp in RF.  Julian Boskett, Darius Fleming, and Jordan Driebe could be the team MVP's by the end of the season with their versatility, ability to pitch, play the middle infield, as well as, all of the outfield positions.   

"This is a very interesting team.  A lot of the reasons that I coach are therapeutic and the fact I love being around the kids, but this team has reminded me why I love the sport of baseball.  In 26 practices and two games, I haven't heard a single player bad mouth or use a nasty tone towards a teammate!  They are passionate about baseball.  They respect the game of baseball and love to be on the field.  This team definitely has the attributes that you can't coach, and when that happens, good things usually follow for the season.  It's made me focus more than in years past and reminded me why I love coaching baseball so much.  I look very forward to our practices and games everyday, so that I can hang out with such competitive, respectful and fun kids." 

According to Manager, Kurt Thornton, "Like most of the other Babe Ruth teams, expectations for the season are high.  We should be one of the top teams in the league with our depth and balance of skill in all areas; but if the rain keeps us off the field and from practicing, or injuries start to take a toll, or the plays just aren't properly executed, none of the depth and skill really matter.  The facts are that we're still dealing with 13, 14, and 15 year old boys, so who knows what's going to happen from play to play & game to game."  Stay tuned!  It's going to be a fun season!  Go Bandits!

See you on the Diamond!

Kurt Thornton

Manager

River City Bandits

Elk Grove Babe Ruth  Baseball