Indians To Get Royal Treatment
Two months before the real roster takes shape, it’s possible to imagine the Spokane Indians’ 1995 makeup.
For one thing, it’s nearly a cinch that the upcoming group will be older than the ‘94 Tribe.
The reason is that Spokane’s new parent club, the Kansas City Royals, generally believes in selecting collegeaged players during June’s amateur draft. San Diego, the Indians’ former affiliation, often drafted for youth.
Essentially, the Indians team that finished in last place during the ‘94 Northwest League season was better suited to rookie league. The NWL is a short-season A league, one level higher than rookie league.
Unlike recent Padres-assembled teams, the ‘95 Indians should have a gem or two in the mix. The Royals are eager to impress the city with the new partnership. Also, Spokane has a trump card.
“I think the fact that George (Brett) is in the (Kansas City) front office helps in that we now have a lobbyist on the inside,” said Spokane general manager Andy Billig.
Brett, an Indians co-owner, is the Royals’ vice president of baseball operations.
Finally, Spokane could have better hitting and pitching than last year’s bunch, which languished toward the bottom in most NWL categories.
Spokane’s new manager, Al Pedrique, 34, is such an accomplished hitter that four major-league teams tried to recruit him as a replacement player. Indians pitching coach Theo Shaw worked for K.C.’s ex-NWL team, Eugene, and helped the Emeralds compile the third-best earned run average in the league.
Whatever players Spokane receives, they’re likely to hang around longer, too. The Padres tended to quickly promote players having good seasons.
The Royals prefer to have players stay at the same level all season.
The first indication of who’s headed to Spokane should come within two weeks. After the Royals fill their long-season A rosters at Springfield (Ill.) and Wilmington (Del.), they’ll assign close to 15 players to extended spring training. A portion will be targeted for Spokane.
Nearly 80 percent of the roster, however, will come from June’s amateur draft.
The Indians begin their season June 15 at Yakima.
NWL upheaval
Only three of the league’s eight teams are unchanged - Boise (parent club California), Yakima (Los Angeles) and Southern Oregon (Oakland).
The Bend Rockies have relocated to Portland. Eugene is affiliated with Atlanta. Everett and Bellingham have switched parent clubs, with Seattle operating in Everett and San Francisco in Bellingham. Everett has changed its nickname from Giants to Aquasox.
New at the park
Chinese food and massages will be available this year at Seafirst Stadium. Side Wok will offer Chinese dishes for a change of pace. A massage table will be set up in a corner of the picnic area.
Billig said he will soon announce significant stadium renovations. The projects, which require Spokane County approval, will be funded through public and private sponsorships.
New promotions include a visit from Sport, the former Philly Fanatic; a “raining money” night; a wellness fair; and “The Follower,” who mocks fans’ actions.
Tickets
Prices will be the same for the fifth consecutive year. Ticket prices are $5.50 for upper box seats and $3.50 for general admission ($2.50 for children and seniors). Billig said the Indians are on a pace to sell 1,600 season tickets. Spokane hopes to draw a record 170,000 fans.
The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN - Northwest League notebook