It may well be difficult to top the 2016 season but the Great Lakes Loons are gearing up from top to bottom to make 2017 another unforgettable experience for the loyal fans in the Midland area.

Preparations for the current season actually started last September when Nolan Thomas and Company out of Stovall, North Carolina, rolled into Dow Diamond with heavy equipment and flatbed loads of sod. The existing sod at the 10-year old ball park was quickly removed in preparation for an entire face lift on the field, complete with improved drainage. Nolan Thomas and Company has earned a reputation as one of the top athletic field development and improvement companies in the United States.

The new sod came all the way from Tuckahoe Sod Farm in New Jersey. Tuckahoe Sod Farm also has gained a reputation for being at the top of their game having provided playing surfaces for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, among others.

The new surface will not only be aesthetically pleasing, but more importantly will provide a safer playing surface for the players with a much-improved drainage system. Additionally, the new surface will be easier for the grounds crew to dress and maintain.

In late October, “Stadium Journey” ranked Dow Diamond No. 14 in its annual ballpark experience ranking of minor league parks.

Stadium Journal rank Dow Diamond – home of the Dodgers Low Single-A affiliate Great Lakes Loons as the 14th best minor league baseball park in the minor leagues.
(Photo courtesy of MiLB.com)

Loons General Manager, Scott Litle, was very appreciative of the recognition but even more appreciative of the work force that serves the Great Lakes Loons and their fans.

“We strive to keep Dow Diamond a safe, clean, enjoyable venue for our fans to visit game in and game out. This ranking reflects the hard work of the over 300 people that work at the ballpark during the season to put on the 70 home Loons games each year.”

Stadium Journey Review: Dow Diamond is a great minor league ballpark. Everything is set up for fans to have a wonderful time at the game. This is both a large park, and a cozy park. The concourses are wide, and the leg room in the seats is a little better than average. There are two fireplaces found behind the home plate area and two fire pits in the outfield concourse. Both are fantastic for cool summer nights, or downright cold spring night games.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the Loons management team has completed an interesting promotional and events schedule. As might be expected, the first promotion coincides with the season home opener on April 6.

There will be a parade along Main Street in Midland, followed by a 6:05 p.m. game against the Lansing Lugnuts. The first 1,000 fans to enter Dow Diamond will receive a commemorative 2016 Midwest League Championship banner. Along with a significant number of giveaway nights, there is a strong emphasis on making a ball game a family event.

Among the family events are: $1 Family Feast Night, Kids Eat Free Sundays, Pre-Game Youth Baseball Clinics, School Kids Days.

Coincidentally enough, following their championship season, the Loons will host the Midwest League All-Star Game and related festivities on Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 20. The 2017 All-Star activities are co-sponsored by Go Great Lakes Bay and Dow Chemical.

The Loons broadcast team is once again poised to bring all the Loons action and related interviews on ESPN 100.9 (WLUN) radio. Chris Vosters returns as Play-by-Play announcer, along with his wing man Brad Tunney. Matt DeVries, Assistant GM, Marketing & Communication, also pinch hits on broadcasts and reporting on MiLB.com.

The coaching staff has changed considerably since last year’s championship run. Former manager, Gil Velazquez, is now an infield coordinator with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last year’s pitching coach, Bobby Cuellar, will serve as the pitching coach with the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League in 2017. Jon Valentin, who served as the Loons hitting coach in 2016, is no longer with the team.

Fourth coach, Fumi Ishibashi, is the only returning member of the Loons 2016 coaching staff. Jeremy Rodriguez begins his first year in the Dodgers farm system as Loons manager. Connor McGuiness begins his first year of professional baseball coaching and begins it as the Loons pitching coach. Jair Fernandez moves up from the Dominican Summer League Dodgers to take over as the hitting coach for the Loons.

The Loons opening day roster has been posted on their website.

Returning from last year’s squad are: Gage Green, Saige Jenco, Stevie Berman, Leo Crawford, Darien Tubbs, Tony Gonsolin, Brendon Davis, Zach McKinstry, Jordan Sheffield, and Nolan Long.

In its early stages, the pitching staff already bears a resemblance to the 2016 staff in Midland. That is, it features a number of pitchers who will be young for the league or below league average age: Dustin May (19), Leo Crawford (20), AJ Alexy (18), Jordan Sheffield (21), Devin Smeltzer (21), German born Sven Schuller (21), William Soto (21), Lenix Osuna (21).

The catching situation is even more interesting. At age-22, Stevie Berman is the senior member of the catching corps. His partners behind the plate are 20-year-old Gersel Pitre and 18-year-old Keibert Ruiz. A noticeable difference with Pitre, although he has a great arm and may well catch during the year, he is officially listed as a first baseman. Luis Paz and Gage Green can also catch.

The infield on any given day could feature Keibert Ruiz (18) behind the plate, Luis Paz (20) at first base, Zach McKinstry (21) at second base, Oneil Cruz (18) at third base and 19-year-old Brendan Davis returning at shortstop. McKinstry can also play shortstop and second base.

The outfield will feature three 22-year-olds in Cody Thomas, Saige Jenco and Darien Tubbs. It may be that Jenco will be the catalyst at the top of the batting order as he was in the stretch run in 2016. The one who may be the next Alex Verdugo and climb the ladder quickly is 19-year-old outfielder, Carlos Rincon.

Not to be forgotten is the versatile Gage Green. He played every position in 2016 except shortstop and pitcher. He had a down year with the bat, one that was punctuated with injury. If he should get a good start in 2016, he will quickly move up to the A+ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

The pitching staff is rounded out with more experienced players, perhaps to work mostly in relief: Tony Gonsolin (22), Nolan Long (23), Jose Santos (25), Vinny Santarsiero (23), Christian Stolo (23).

Let’s play ball!