The Cody Farnworth era at Carson High gets under way this week, and the first-year coach has walked into a nice situation.
The Senators, coming off a 15-6 Sierra League season in 2008, have 13 seniors on their 18-man roster. That's the type of experience any new coach would love to have.
The veteran group is led by catcher Paul Cagle (.492), utility player Dustin Buttner (.452), shortstop Kyle Stone (.433), pitcher-outfielder Matt Rutledge (3 wins, 26 strikeouts in 29 innings) and second baseman-outfielder Brett Valley (.423).
"It's nice," Farnworth admitted. "Coach (Steve) Cook did a great job. I don't have to reteach a lot of stuff. We have a fast-paced tempo at practice, and it helps having that experience.
"The team has high expectations being a year older. The attitude has been great so far. They have bought in and are working hard. The work ethic has been good."
Farnworth is a big believer in chemistry. The first-year coach said that a few players mentioned that the chemistry wasn't good last year.
"Chemistry means a lot more than people think," Farnworth said.
Farnworth and the Senators will face a new-look Sierra League, one that will be much tougher than in 2008. Galena and Bishop Manogue are among the new teams, and both made the regional playoffs last season. Throw in Douglas, Carson and Damonte Ranch, and you have a pretty solid league. Already you would have to look at Manogue and Douglas as co-favorites based on last year's records.
"We get Manogue and Galena, two teams who will be in it (post-season)," Farnworth said. "There could be very well be five teams shooting for the four spots. There are no easy wins. We have to take care of business every week."
Carson's strength should be its offense. The aforementioned quartet was super productive.
Cagle led the Sierra League with 11 doubles and he tied for second in homers with four. Also, he drove in 25 runs, second-best in the league. Stone scored 23 runs and drove in 22, Buttner drove in 15 runs and the speedy Valley was second on the team with 30 hits.
"With Valley at the top, Stone, Cagle, Stone, Cody Barr and Buttner, it should be a tough lineup to get through I think," Farnworth said. "They can all drive the ball."
Rutledge and lefty David Charles have already been pegged as two of the starters. Rutledge led the team with three conference wins last year, while Charles won two games.
"Matt throws hard and has a good breaking ball," Farnworth said. "David has a great change-up."
The third spot will be decided on practices and the upcoming preseason tournament which starts on Thursday.
Farnworth has a plethora of throwers to choose from - Tyler Smith, Tyler Hutchins and Buttner. David Perce, Barr and Stone are likely to be late-inning guys.
"Perce is effectively wild," Farnworth said. "He has good stuff for a little guy. For an inning, I think Stone could be tough. We'll see who steps up."
Cagle is the leading candidate to start at catcher, though he could DH or play a corner spot. It will be a rare day when he's not in the starting lineup.
"For a big kid, he has great feet," Farnworth said. "Also he has good hands and throws the ball well. We have to have his bat in the lineup."
Cameron Mayville and Brooks Hutchins are the backups behind the plate.
Buttner is the expected starter at first with Mayville and Charles vying for playing time.
Valley started last year at second, but in an effort to improve the outfield defense, he could also play left field or right field. If Valley isn't at second, Ty Hutchins and sophomore Colby Blueberg will battle for playing time.
Stone, who appears to have overcome a knee injury, will start at shortstop. Barr will start at third, though Cagle or Tommy Purcell could see action there, too. Connor Beattie, a sophomore, also will battle for some playing time in the infield.
"I think shortstop is Stone's true spot," Farnworth said. "He has speed and range, and he's one of the top athletes on the team."
Tommy Preston, Jeff Butler, Rutledge and Buttner all saw action in the outfield. Smith also is in the mix along with David Feltner. Who starts in the outfield likely will depend on who is pitching and whether Buttner stays at first and what Farnworth decides to do with Valley.
- Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling 775-881-1281