New-look North Stars ready to play ball

Although spring was a little late in arriving for sports like tennis, track and softball, it's now time for American Legion baseball in Havre and the time couldn't be better for the Havre North Stars to get back onto the diamond for another season.

This year's North Stars are seeing a lot of changes. Not only do the North Stars have a new head coach, as well as some other coaching changes, the team is also welcoming in a slew of new players as they are about to embark on a new season.

While there will be plenty of changes with the North Stars this season, there will be some familiar faces, too. Following the departure of Dick Fuzesy, who managed the North Stars the past three seasons, the North Stars decided to bring back an old face, one that just happens to be the most successful manager in the program's history and that's Mickey Williams.

During the course of his career with the North Stars, Williams put together a legendary resume. He racked up more than 900 wins during his tenure in addition to winning two state championships, finishing second twice and getting third three times. The North Stars also won seven district championships under Williams and sent many players on to play college baseball, such as Patch Wirtzberger, a former Williams disciple, who will stand in as interim manager for Williams, who is still coaching college baseball at Carleton College in Minnesota.

"Mick and I have been talking back and forth about how practices and games have been going, and things he wants to see from the team," Wirtzberger said. "I'm pretty familiar with how Mick likes things done having played for him all those years ago."

Even though Williams hasn't been hands on with the team, as Wirtzberger indicated, the two have been communicating regularly and Wirtzberger also said Williams should be joining the team in the next week or two. At that time, he will assume the duties of manager.

When Williams does take over, he will inherit a team that is both skilled and experienced. The North Stars were up and down a season ago, but did break a drought by winning a game at the district tournament, and in 2018, behind the direction of Williams, the North Stars will look to build on that success.

"We obviously return most of the big contributors from last year and added some younger kids that show great promise," Wirtzberger said. "The weather put us behind the eight ball but the kids are working hard to improve themselves and the team. They are really buying into the new direction of the program, staying positive and being great teammates is a big focus for these guys and so far they are doing a great job."

Jake Sedahl has been a mainstay for the North Stars the past few seasons and he will again be behind the plate for Havre. The rest of the infield is also pretty well defined with Brendan Garden at first base, Kennedy McKay at shortstop, along with Gavin Mosbrucker and Trey Murphy, who can both play at a few different spots.

In the outfield, Havre also has a wealth of talent returning. Brenden Danielson is a veteran that will also be one of the top threats in the batting order, while Ethan Roberts, who is recovering from injury, should be the everyday center fielder when healthy. Others who will see time and contribute for the North Stars in the field are Tony Antley, Quinn Reno, Austin Delarosa, Tyrell Kjersem and Garrett Parsons.

While Danielson was dangerous at the plate last season, so were Garden, Antley, Sedahl and Roberts. Roberts is also dangerous on the base paths with his speed aggressiveness,

In terms of the rotation, the North Stars have a lot of the same options they did a year ago. Garden was the ace for Havre last season and others who could start games are Mosbrucker, Antley and McKay. Murphy and Delarosa have also been effective hurlers in the past, while Mosbrucker also specialized in a relief role last season.

"Brendan Garden, Gavin Mosbrucker, Tony Antley and Kennedy McKay have all had good practice sessions," Wirtzberger said. "Those are some of the guys we are looking at on the mound."

The North Stars have played a few games already this season and have posted a 2-3 record, with one of their wins coming over the Havre Comets, who are also making a return this season. Yet, the Comets will not join the North Stars in the Northern A District as they have in the past. Havre will play its home opener against the Great Falls Chargers Tuesday. The Northern A District tournament will be held in Conrad July 26-29 and the Class A state tournament will open August 1 in Miles City.