DANVILLE — The Danville Dans will have some familiar and some new faces this season, especially in the manager spot.
After 12 seasons with Eric Coleman at the helm, the Dans decided to go in a new direction this year in hiring Cam Gross from IU-Columbus.
“It’s been fun and a great challenge,” Gross said. “There is such a rich history here and it is great to be a part of it. (Pitching coach Jacob) Ferguson has returned from last year and that’s given me an idea of the lay of the land and how things work around here.
“It is an honor to replace someone that has been manager here for 12 years and be part of such a rich history. It is a challenge I am willing to embrace and it’s been a blast and these guys have made it so fun.”
Gross is also in his first year as an assistant at IU-Columbus after being a hitting coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. and Inspiration Academy Post Grad in Bradenton, Fla. At Inspiration, he helped the team break their single season mark.
He also has experience with summer and travel teams like Indiana Nitro and Canes Midwest and also has prep experience from Carmel and Pike High Schools in the Indianapolis area.
“I know a lot of the players from coaching in summer leagues and different universities. It has been great to get that familiarity,” Gross said. “The Prospect League is the a great league with some of the best players in the country. I know it is high level and it not only give me a chance to coach some of the best, I get to go against some of the best minds in the game as well, so it was a no-brainer for me. (Dans co-owners Jeannie Cooke and Rick Kurth) has been nothing but gracious and the interview process went fantastic.”
Along with Gross, there will be an bunch of local players that will be in uniform when the season starts today.
Cameron Steinbaugh (Georgetown-Ridge Farm), Chase Harrison (Oakwood), Pedro Rangel IV (Salt Fork) and Caden Keleminic (Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin) will play for the Dans and Gross didn’t just pick them because they played prep baseball in the area.
“There is a lot of great players in the area. I have been helped by local people like (Post 210 seniors coach) Brent Hart who has helped me out substantially talking about some of the players he has had. They just want an opportunity and you can be from here or anywhere in the world … If you have and desire to win and get better, then I am going to love coaching you.”
“It is nice playing around the home fans and seeing a bunch of local people around and supporting what we do around here,” Steinbaugh said. “It helps the team all-around because the local guys know where to go and bring the culture here.”
“We let them know what is around and know the standard,” Harrison said. “Last year, I was hurt and I attended a couple of games, so I am excited to be healthy and play for the Dans.”
Gross said a lot of the players are here with a few players wrapping up their college seasons. That is one of many factors he thinks tonight’s opener against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes will be a great one.
“When the games get started, it is so much fun because I worry about baseball,” Gross said. “I am fired up and it should be a great crowd and some great baseball weather. We are excited about the games to get here and not worried about anything else.”
“I took a year off for Tommy John surgery, so I have a brand new feeling and am ready to go play,” Harrison said. “I am excited to be with the guys that are here, get ready to meet some new guys when they come in and play some ball.”
“The preparation stars now and I am really looking forward to being with the guys on the field for a normal game of baseball,” Steinbaugh said.
The game starts at 6:30 p.m. and seats are $3 each. Also, the first 250 fans will get an magnet version of the season schedule.