Vienna Post 180 Baseball Kicks Off Season

American Legion baseball kicked off last weekend, and Vienna Post 180 is expecting a strong season from an experienced group of high school players.

Though the team returns a handful of players from last year's squad, Coach Frank Werman says it comprises some of the best players from Oakton, Madison and South Lakes high schools, along with one player from Paul VI Catholic High and three college freshmen, two of whom play for their college teams.

"Each area of our team — pitching, offense, defense — is well-represented," Werman said. "It's just a matter of getting the kids to meld together as one team." 

In his eighth year as head coach, Werman has learned team unity develops naturally over the course of the season. After a week or two of the boys playing to impress each other, they start playing to win, he said. 

Vienna Post 180 considers Oakton High its home field. It plays in District 17 of the American Legion, which is composed of nine teams in Northern Virginia. The league is open to players aged 15 through 19, and appeals to those with its regulation games running nine innings.

Teams aim to earn a spot in the American Legion World Series later this summer. Last year, Vienna fell of the District 17 Championship game.

Werman will look to lead his team to the championship game using his typical laid-back style of coaching with an emphasis on a small-ball offense.

"I try to keep a relaxed attitude about everything," Werman said. "I'm not the coach who is screaming his head off. That doesn't do anybody any good.

So far this season, Vienna is 2-2. In its two wins, the starting pitchers — Daniel Bayer and Tim Davis — threw five shutout innings and gave up one hit.

Vienna plays Fairfax Post 177 today then 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hayfield High against Alexandria Post 129. To see a full schedule and season statistics, visit the Team Werman website.

Summer 2012 Roster:

• Billy McLaughlin – 1B/3B/P (South Lakes)
• Austin Gibbons – 1B /DH (South Lakes)
• Henry Brandmark – P/1B/OF (Madison)
• Tim Davis – P/INF (Madison)
• Jack Anzilotti – C/INF (Madison)
• Justin Padgett – SS/P (Madison)
• Mason Hauser – OF/P (Oakton)
• Dennis Cooney – OF/1B (Oakton)Brandon Chandler - INF/P (Oakton)
• RJ Garcia - P (Oakton)
• Mark Gunst - P/INF (Paul VI)
• Chris Hanson - C/INF/P (James Madison University)
• Ryan Forrest - INF (South Lakes)
• Josh Forrest - OF (South Lakes)
• Andy Gross - P/INF (Tulane University)
• Daniel Bayer - P (Madison)
• Tommy Kyllo - INF/C (Madison)
• Gavin Gibbons - P (UMBC)