— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — “Play ball.” The familiar baseball cry will ring out Tuesday at Marshall’s Jack Cook Field as the Tri-State Coal Cats make their Appalachian League debut against the Pulaski River Turtles. Game time is 7 p.m.
It’s been 30 years since those words were uttered when the Huntington Cubs called Huntington and St. Cloud Commons home from 1990-95.
The Coal Cats went through their third day of workouts Monday afternoon at Jack Cook field before taking part in Media Day functions.
“Everybody’s done a fantastic job,” Coal Cats manager Tommy Gregg said. “It’s been quick to try to get things together. Players and the coaching staff are fired up to get this rolling. What I’ve seen the last three days is we have a talented team. Obviously our guys want to do as good a job as they can, entertain and hope to get people in here to see them. We want to make a statement early for the home crowd.”
Gregg, a former Major Leaguer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is in his second year in the Appalachian League. He spent last season as a coach at Pulaski.
The Coal Cats are partnered with Marshall athletics. The team is owned by Marshall and Kindred Communications. Dylan Winters, Marshall director of graphics, worked closely with MLB and the Appalachian League to secure the name and devise a logo that is a tribute to the Huntington region’s coal mining.
Color schemes for the uniforms are Coal Black, Cool Grey and Marshall Green. The logo features Marshall Green outline with Coal Black accents and Cool Grey face that is highlighted by Marshall Green Eyes. Utilization of miner’s pick-axe is the basis for Ts within names Tri-State and Coal Cats.
The Appalachian League, founded in 1911, is one of the longest running leagues around. It is entering its fourth year as a summer baseball league partnership with MLB and USA Baseball. It has 10 teams in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Teams will play 48 games over June and July. The Huntington franchise is a relocation from Princeton. This deal kept the WhistlePigs from leaving the Mountain State.
The advance-level circuit was reclassified as summer-collegiate as part of a larger reorganization of Minor League Baseball that took place prior to the 2021 season. Rosters are comprised of players being developed for possible inclusion on USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and other national squads.
The team mascot will be introduced Monday night. Tickets are $7 and $5 for groups of 10 or more.
“It doesn’t take a lot of coaching,” Gregg said. “We’re not starting from scratch. Pitchers are getting work in the bullpen. Players are taking batting practice. Get locked in and ready to go. Got an astro-turf field to play on. The environment around here, players walk around and get nothing but positive vibes. It’s a beautiful way they put this stadium together.”
Marshall just completed its first full season on a true home field.
Left-hander Logan Piper will get the start for the Coal Cats Tuesday. At the plate, players will be swinging wooden bats.
“Some of the kids have not thrown a lot and that’s a challenge. How many innings have they thrown? Some just finished throwing. Bring them along slowly. Take care of the arms. Health and safety is a goal of the coaching staff. We’ll take care of players the best we can. It’s been fun getting to know each other. I’m overwhelmed by the talent I’ve seen so far. Every kid shows me something. I’ll try to make an impact on these players.
“This is run by Major League Baseball. That’s why the kids are so excited. It’s a chance to impress different people and get playing time. Lot of the kids played summer and travel ball and have been in wooden-bat tournaments.”
Gregg wants his players to have an impact off the field as well.
“As a team we’ll go around and get to know people,” Gregg said. “They’re not here to just play baseball. Get to know Huntington. I love it here so far. They’re excited to be here. Downtown I walk around with my Coal Cats T-shirt and people come up to me and say how excited they are to get this rolling.”