The Moss Baseball team opens the 2014 NBL season Sunday, May 4th, when it faces the Fredrikstad Bears in the first game of a doubleheader at the Begby Park in Fredrikstad. The Shields will battle the Bears Sunday at 12 p.m., with the second game of the doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.

QUICK HITS

• Moss returns 15 players, including 12 position players and three pitchers, from a team that finished 3-2 overall.
• Of those returning, two weekend starters are back in the rotation while six position starters will work to hold their spots in the Shields lineup.
• Moss is 00-02 all-time in season-openers.
• Right-handers Joel Dietrich (1-0, 3.00 ERA) and Christian Hågensen (0-0, 4.00 ERA) return as the top weekend-regulars on the bump, each with almost identical numbers in 2013.
• Fernando Navarro looks to continue where he left off after joining the Shields late in the season last year. Navarro adds a consistent bat and solid defense at second base.
• Outfielder Daniel Reinoso will be transitioning from leftfield to centerfield and is one of the top returning offensive players from 2013, batting .535 with 9 RBIs.
• Anchoring the infield at shortstop will be Peter Risberg. Now in his 3rd year with the Shields, Risberg brings leadership and a vast amount of baseball knowledge to the team.

SERIES HISTORY: The 2014 season opener marks the seventh meeting between the Shields and the Bears, who hold a 4-3 game lead in the all-time series. It took Moss until their fifth meeting to finally get a win against Fredrikstad, winning 18-7 in Fredrikstad. Since then the Shields have reeled off 3 straight wins against the Bears, beating the Bears once at home and once more in Fredrikstad.

AROUND THE HORN:

• It’s not too late to buy your Moss Shields raffle tickets... 100kr per ticket and 5000kr in prizes. If you are interested in purchasing send an email to post@mossbaseball.no.
• First Moss Shields kids event is May 3rd at Reier skole from 12.00 - 14.00.
• First Moss Shields "home game" June 1st at Rommen Field in Olso (because we lack a playing field our home games must be played in Oslo this year).