 "Photo: Photo courtesy of the Chico Outlaws")
The skies will light up May 30 when the Chico Outlaws' season begins.
The Outlaws, last year's Golden Baseball League champions, will have their first home game of the season against the Long Beach Armada in the first of three "fireworks nights" at Nettleton Stadium.
The team has planned many promotional nights throughout the summer including Aloha Fridays, Canadian Day and Man Enough to Wear Pink day.
Outlaw games allow individuals and families to go out and have an affordable, fun time, Assistant General Manager Russ Blatt said.
These events are possible because the Golden Baseball League is independent and not associated with Major League Baseball, he said.
"We're not selling baseball," Blatt said. "We're selling fun. My goal is that everyone leaves with a smile, even if we lose."
New head coach Jon Macalutas is looking forward to settling into the season, he said.
With the season fast approaching, the team has too much to think about to feel the pressure of being returning champions, Macalutas said.
This will be Macalutas' first season as manager of any professional baseball team, but he has been on the Outlaws' staff since 2005 as a hitting coach.
"He's earned his stripes and earned his shot of getting his own team," said Public Relations Director Rory Miller.
Along with Macalutas, a new hitting coach and pitching coach have been hired for the upcoming season.
Blatt doesn't think the new coaches will have an effect on the level of play, he said. At the professional level, all coaches have similar methods. They are all focused and have great knowledge of the game.
Along with a new coaching staff, about half the team is expected to consist of new players, Macalutas said. About 10 or 11 players will return, leaving open 11 or 12 spots for new players.
The team will need to deal with the loss of last year's league MVP Daniel Nava, who signed with the Boston Red Sox to play for its High-A farm team, the Lancaster JetHawks.
"When you become MVP for the league, you get noticed," Blatt said. "You never fault a player who chooses to improve his skills, his play, sometimes his pocket."
Macalutas has no hard feelings against Nava, he said.
"He's going to be a tough guy to replace," he said.
Macalutas expects outfielder Lino Garcia to step in and take over for Nava.
Steve Boggs, another outfielder, signed with the Chicago White Sox but was released after spring training and came back to the Outlaws, Macalutas said.
The 22 best players on the spring training roster were chosen to continue in the season. Spring training began May 12 and ran eight days.
Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@theorion.com
Related links Chico Outlaws Web site Roster Full Schedule
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