Play Ball: North Stars ready to go

Despite low numbers roster-wise, the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team put together a successful 2010 campaign.

Now, a relatively new group of North Stars, mixed with some quality veterans and a legendary head coach will try and do the same this spring and summer.

After going 31-21 a year ago, but missing out on the Class A state tournament, the North Stars are back for another season of baseball, and a familiar face will be in the dugout and on the third-baseline.

Longtime Havre manager Mickey Williams is back at the helm of the North Stars' program. After coaching 28 years of legion baseball, Williams took a four-year break from the job. But after four-year head coach Steve Fanning decided not to return for the 2011 season, Williams finds himself back in a familiar role.

But things will be different for Williams in this go-around with the North Stars. The Havre legion program's numbers have declined in recent years, so much so that three years ago the program was forced to drop the Comets' team, and now just one team plays in Havre.

Still, baseball is baseball, and Williams has several key players back this season, a season which gets under way on Sunday in Great Falls.

The North Stars Kolby Sukut

The North Stars' roster includes just 12 players, but seven return from last season's squad, and all played significant roles in Havre's success on the diamond a year ago.

Back this season is pitcher/shortstop Justin Jensen as well as pitcher and outfielder Brandon Smith. Smith and Jensen were both in Havre's starting rotation a year ago and figure to be the aces of the pitching staff again this season. They will also be Havre's veterans at the plate and will figure heavily into the middle of Havre's batting order.

Also back is Mark Vukasin, who had a breakout season for the North Stars last summer. Vukasin was a .400 hitter while playing all season at third base. He also saw time in the pitching rotation and was an excellent relief pitcher. Vukasin will be another of Havre's big bats this summer and will likely start games on the mound.

Spencer Morkrid (1B, OF), Justin Denny (2B, OF), Gareth Bernard (P, IF, OF) and Kolby Sukut make up the rest of Havre's returning roster. Bernard is a strong-armed pitcher and could see action in the starting rotation, while Morkrid is a good first baseman and also made several relief appearances on the mound a year ago. Denny saw plenty of time on the infield last season, while Sukut is a power hitter who can play multiple positions.

The returning seven give the North Stars a solid nucleus to work with, and Havre's pitching rotation could be strong once again, just it has been the strong point of the last several North Star teams.

But with the loss of star hitters like Kyle Miller and Shane Kemmer and C.J. Evans, as well as standout pitcher Roman Surber means the North Stars will need some newcomers to step up this season. At catcher, Thurman Holdsclaw could be a gem for Havre, while Colton Young will help the pitching staff. The North Stars have also added Chris Vukasin, who will play outfield and third base, as well as outfielder Matt Hanley and infield/outfielder Chance Pitkanen. Those five round out the Havre roster for the season.

And with several weeks of practice under their belt, the new-look North Stars will test their skills and find out plenty on Sunday when they take to the Don Olson Field diamond in Great Falls for a pair of seven-inning games. The North Stars will play the Lewistown Redbirds and the Billings Halos on Sunday to open the season.

The North Stars play their first four games on the road, including a doubleheader on May 8 at the Great Falls Stallions. Havre's first home games are May 15 against the Stallions at Legion Field.

This Sunday's game against the Redbirds is set for 11 a.m. and the game against the Halos starts at 1 p.m. in Great Falls.