The ’07-’08 Rocket baseball team consisted of primarily seniors, ten for the record. This year there are half as many, but the commitment remains top priority for the youthful Rockets.

For varsity baseball coach Eric Zeigler, deciding who gets a spot on the team is something that is somewhat troubling.

"It’s always tough [picking teams]," he said. "The good thing about having a lot of kids, like we did this year, is that there are kids who are interested in the program, but we can’t keep all of them."

The team normally consists of around fifteen guys, and this year those fifteen are spread out pretty evenly as far as age is concerned.

"We have six sophomores on the team this year, and that’s more than I’ve ever kept," said Coach Zeigler. "We’ll look for our five seniors to step up and lead, but all of our players are versatile. I think we could use a different line-up every day and succeed."

Last year’s pitching staff consisted of Rohrbaugh’s fastball, Sizemore’s junk, and Rob Aversa’s "man-cannon," but filling two empty spots in the rotation may be pretty difficult for this year’s team.

"Pitching is going to be our question mark," said Zeigler. "The potential is there, but only time will tell. We have pitchers like Rob [Aversa] and Zack [Smeltzer] who will throw well for us, Phil [Lehman] and Kurt [Krout], too."

The important goal this season is sticking together, and winning as a team.

"We have to believe in each other," said the Coach. "We’d love to win the division but that’s expected every year."

Glory is achieved from experience. Two Rocket baseball players can offer experience in similar ways. Both having played varsity ball their freshmen year, senior Kurt Krout and sophomore Rob Aversa offer their experience as well as other benefits to help the team succeed. Aversa, a pitcher/outfielder, recalls his varsity freshman year as one of learning.

"It was a great learning experience," said Aversa. "Being with the team helped me out a lot with where I want to go in baseball."

Rob hopes to further his baseball career by playing ‘good’ college ball, and plans to take baseball with him as far as he can. But before college comes around, he still has two years left at the Grove. With one of the strongest arms on the team, other players have nicknamed his right appendage, calling it a "man-cannon."

"Basically when I was younger, I threw with my dad outside every day. This lasted about two years," said the sophomore. "Now it’s pretty much evolved into an animal of its own. I make sure to ice it after every pitching performance and stretch it out whenever possible."

The season is fast approaching, and most players set pre-season goals, giving them something to reach for throughout the length of the season. Rob is no exception.

"Individually, I want to improve all around -- hitting, pitching, and in the outfield," said Aversa. "As a team I definitely want to make it to districts. Making it past the first round would be nice."

Senior Kurt Krout has been somewhat of a ‘poster child’ for Spring Grove baseball over the past four years. Krout was the only freshman selected to the varsity squad in 2006 and he plans on using his seniority to benefit the young team.

"I’m going to try to get everyone to work hard and not slack," said Krout. "The commitment needs to be there, and everyone needs to keep working hard to get better."

One aspect of Rocket baseball that has never faded is that of team unity, on and off the field.

"(Having the guys close) is definitely a positive," said Krout, as he ate dinner with a few members of the team. "Hanging out off the field can really influence how the team communicates on the field."

As his senior year draws to a close, Krout has high expectations for this year’s team, as well as memories that will never escape him.

"This year is the first year that there’s going to be league playoffs, so I’d like to end my season a league champion," said the senior captain. "We finished my sophomore season 18-4, and we set a school record for most wins in a season. That puts your name in the record books for your school, and that team is going to be remembered forever. I was glad to have been a part of it."