Cody Pierce is the staff ace for the Vikings. (T-G file photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Spring has finally arrived and with it comes the sweet sound made when a well swung bat makes solid contact with horsehide as kids of all ages take to the diamond in pursuit of the great American pastime.

It is a time for unabashed enthusiasm, fresh starts and renewed hopes and the Community Vikings have plenty of both as they return seven juniors, seven sophomores and have added two freshmen to round out their 2008 roster in hopes of improving on their 3-17 campaign of a year ago.

"Our team will be physically bigger and stronger than in the past several seasons," coach Josh Burrahm said. "We will miss Brad Brown, who was our team leader and lone senior last year, but we return seven players that have played some significant innings as ninth and tenth graders and we will count on them to take over the leaders role both on and off the field.

"It has been a good long while since we have fielded a team with both mental and physical maturity and I look forward to getting started."

Cody Pierce and Chris West return to the pitching rotation as the two top starters for the Purple and Gold, though Pierce will miss the first week of the season due to injury.

Dustin White, Lance Paschal, Grant Patterson, Michael Smith and Zach Haynes will all get their chance on the bump as the season progresses.

Smith returns as the starting catcher and three-year veteran Justin Gaines will share the duties when Smith is on the mound. In a lineup that features several players' versatility, Pierce is the shortstop and teams with Patterson at second base and Haynes in center field to anchor the middle of the Viking defense. Smith also figures into the outfield as do Paschal and Kelby Demonbreum.

The physical and mental advancements noted by Burrahm should translate into a better offensive squad as well. Pierce, the leading hitter the past two seasons will hit lead off and will be followed in the middle of the order by Paschal, Patterson, White and Smith.

"We have worked hard in the offseason and we feel that this group is ready to take their game to another level. This team has been together for the better part of three years now because they started as eighth graders.

"It has been a long time between seasons, and we are excited about our progress. We look forward to getting the season kicked off."

The Vikings welcome Boyd Christian today at 4 for their season opener.

Frost takes over

The Viqueens begin the season in transition as they welcome new management in first-year head coach Libby Frost and deal with the graduation of all-district pitcher Amanda Joslyn.

Erica Keele is one of several returnees for the Viqueens. (File Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Frost takes over for Allison Layne who has her hands full with the Community basketball and volleyball programs. Frost served six years as an assistant to coach Brenda Morris at Class AAA's LaVergne after playing her high school ball in west Tennessee.

She is joined by assistants Eric Hunt and Johnnie Frost, who assisted the Cascade Lady Champions for many season before moving to Community as the head football coach.

"I am really excited about this opportunity," Frost said. "We have a solid nucleus of returning players though we will miss Amanda's pitching and hitting.

"We will be young at that position, but we are confident in the young lady that we will run out there."

Freshman left-hander Brittany Haynes joins the squad and will be counted on to pitch the majority of the innings and has worked hard for the opportunity to be the ace of the Community staff.

"Brittany has been taking pitching lessons for a good little while now and she has excellent technique as a result," Frost said. "She has good movement on the ball and she is around the plate most of the time.

"We have asked (former Cascade all-district pitcher) Katie Jackson to work with our pitchers and she jumped at the chance. She has been very good for both Brittany and Erica (Keele), who will be our second pitcher."

Community will also miss the services of another all-district performer in catcher Meaghan Therrien, who has decided to expend her energies full time on the stage in drama productions.

Karly Joslyn moves behind the plate from first base and her strong arm should be a deterrent for any would-be base stealers. She and Amber Woods make up the heart of the batting order.

Sophomore Courtney Vassar returns as the shortstop and three-hole hitter, but will only be available for a week or so of the season because she is scheduled for surgery to remove the pins placed in her ankle after a horrific injury last year in the district tournament.

She will be out the majority, if not the whole season as she rehabs after the surgery.

Middle infielder Tiffany Kimberlin returns after a stellar season when she was easily the most improved player on the team.

Keele, Bianca Masteler and Corey Anne Hickerson figure into the outfield plans with Hickerson available for infield play as well.

"We have spent our offseason giving the kids ownership of our facilities and the equipment," Frost said. "Responsibility is a learned trait and we want our team to be proud of their program. The first step in that process is accepting their roles in making our park one of the best around. We want them to understand that they represent our whole community, not just the school or themselves.

"That kind of pride will spill over onto the playing field and the way they conduct themselves off the diamond as well. They have done a real good job of accepting ownership so far.

"We are ready to get started."

The Viqueens take on the Lady Broncos at 4 today at home.