What offseason?

Boys of summer fill winter months with teaching, coaching

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

From his home in Bakersfield, Calif., Manager Butch Hobson spent much of his time giving back to the sport in the form of clinics.

"I did a lot of teaching and did some hitting work with [my sons' high school] team," said Hobson, who led the Blue Crabs to 74 wins and was named Atlantic League manager of the year for the 2008 season.

Over the Easter break, the 57-year-old Hobson attended his sons' high school baseball tournament in San Diego. With sons K.C., a senior pitcher/first baseman, and Hank, a sophomore, Stockdale High School posted a record of 2-2.

"They did well," Hobson said of the Mustangs' performance.

He also spent time with his seven kids.

Right-handed pitcher Jason Blanton, who resides in Raleigh, N.C., also spent plenty of time on the diamond as he gave lessons and coached an 18-U team.

Third baseman Pat Osborn spent a few weeks following the 2008 season with his girlfriend, who works in Washington, D.C.

He later headed home to California before settling down in Gainesville, Fla., where he lives part time. While there he worked out and almost played winter ball in Mexico.

"Winter ball is good way to be seen, and I think the goal of everyone who plays in the Atlantic League is to get back into affiliated baseball," said Osborn, who slammed 17 home runs and drove in 106 runs last season. "That was the main interest in going there, to be seen by major league organizations. I signed to play but I just wasn't comfortable."

Like plenty of his teammates, catcher Lance Burkhart also gave back to the sport as he gave hitting and catching instruction at the Balls-n-Strikes facility in O'Fallon, Mo.

The 5 feet 9 inch, 220-pound Burkhart is eagerly anticipating this summer for something he finally won't be: in pain. Burkhart, who saw limited action last season, had elbow surgery in September and said he is finally pain-free.

"It feels great," he said in a telephone interview from Florissant, Mo. "It's like night and day from last year. I had some soreness that came on in spring training last year and pretty much the whole time I was playing I was dealing with a little bit of pain, so it's good to be healthy."

Like his teammate, outfielder Jeremy Owens gave lessons to players 9 to high school age in Johnson City, Tenn.

"I don't know what vacation is," said the 33-year-old, who hit 15 home runs last season.

Despite how much they enjoyed their respective offseasons, the players are eager to return to Waldorf.

"I'm very excited," Owens said. "The obvious goal is to come in and just get better and be more consistent at the plate and just contribute to the ballclub."

"I'd probably have to say that since this last week since the big league season has opened up and we're starting to kick off spring training so I'm getting excited," Osborn said. "I've got that itch again to go out there and play."

Osborn added he thinks 2009 could be even better than the Blue Crabs' inaugural campaign.

"Coach has brought a good group of guys back and there are definitely a few additions that will make a big impact," Osborn said. "It's going to be a fun summer in Waldorf."