With
the 2015 Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) in full
swing, the Victor RailRiders are a team looking to take big steps in
year one. As one of two new teams in the PGCBL this year, owner Jim
Ludwig’s main goal is to have his team stay highly competitive
throughout its inaugural campaign.
“Our
goal is to be as competitive as possible and to provide players a
chance to improve their game,” Ludwig said of his fledging club.
“We want our players to be able say they were challenged and had
the chance to compete with some of the best in the country.”
With
the opportunity to play top collegiate competition now a reality, the
RailRiders will have to depend on premier coaching and talented
athletes on the field to stay ahead of competition that comes to play
in upstate New York.
Dan
Shwam, head coach of the RailRiders, has plenty of premier collegiate
and professional coaching experience that the RailRiders desperately
need. With a long history of coaching in the PGCBL and other
collegiate leagues, Shwam has also spent time coaching with the
Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and the Montreal Expos. With a
profound resume on hand, Shawm looks to be the leader of the
RailRiders this season.
“I
treat these players the same I would treat anyone in a pro-setting,”
Shwam said. “I want to hold them accountable and give them a taste
of what the next level's like.”
On
the field, the RailRiders have been led by pitcher John Saviano, and
infielder Dale Wickham, who has led the team with a .333 batting
average along with one home run on the season. With Wickham leading
the way from the plate, Saviano has done the same from the mound,
picking up the first win for the organization in its inaugural season
debut last week. During his outing, Saviano posted six scoreless
innings of work against the Saugerties Stallions – the league's
other new franchise – allowing four hits while striking out five.
“There
is always pressure throwing game one of a week,” Saviano said. “But
there is even more pressure throwing game one of a season and for a
new team. Getting off on the right foot is very important to our
team's early success.”
After
all, that is exactly what Saviano did. Battling the pressure, Saviano
picked up a much-needed win to get his team off on the right foot as
they look to form their own identity as the season moves forward.
“As
a team, we are just taking it one game at a time,” Wickham said.
“Over a long season if we compete day in day out, then we will find
ourselves putting together a lot of wins.”
Head
coach Dan Shwam understands his team has started on a positive note,
but as Wickham mentioned, staying on track is what he believes will
make them even bigger competitors down the stretch.
“Staying
focused will be the key,” Shwam said. “You have to stay on top of
things throughout the entire season not just at the start, it’s how
you battle day in and day out that will help you succeed.
As
the season continues to roll on, the RailRiders will undoubtedly have
their ups and downs, but with great coaching and consistent play in
both facets of the game, Victor will have as good a chance as any to
stay competitive, something they believe will be a large part to
their success in year one.
“We
have good players from all over the country including some home grown
talent,” Ludwig said. “It will be fun to see all of our players
match skills against the rest of the league as the summer brings high
levels of baseball.”
With
the town of Victor playing another major role in the RailRiders
success, expect to see a lot of energy around the club this summer.
Being a town that has rich baseball history, Ludwig knows Victor is a
place that has a lot to offer.
“Victor
is a place that has a lot to do for visitors in the summer months.
RailRider baseball will be another great entertainment option for
Finger Lake visitors.”
While
educating the fans may become the main theme in the early portion of
the season, the RailRiders front office firmly believes they can
spread the word of RailRiders Baseball quickly. With fan support from
around the area learning about RailRiders baseball, it is only a
matter of time before crowds start to emerge and the team settles
into its new home.
“As
a team, we are just taking it one game at a time,” Wickham said.
“Over a long season if we compete day in day out, then we will find
ourselves putting together a lot of wins.”
With
a strong mentality that seems to have formed around the town and team
in Victor, it is only a matter of time before the team shows its full
potential in a league that tests your abilities day in and day out.