Win Streak

My name is Jessica Garrison and I am a second year intern for the Outer Banks Daredevils. Before I start in on our interesting win streak, I should tell you a bit about myself. As I said, it is my second year here in the Outer Banks working for the Daredevils and my tenth year visiting the OBX. I am a fifth year senior at Florida State University double majoring in Economics and Sport Management with a minor in business. I love baseball and football and am devoted to learn everything I possibly can here with this team. Now on to our win streak we have.

It started Tuesday with our pregame set up. A collaboration of ideas by the interns led to the ultimate agreement that the boys needed some sort of motivation. The final product was the silly bands, these rubber bands that have different themes such as zoo animals, letters, band instruments, and insects. Interns handed the boys each a few silly bands and asked that they wear them during the game. Also, a little bit of the music used during batting practice was Justin Beiber, as requested by a few people present at the field. The game progressed and everybody watched as Chris O'Hare from Yale proceeded to pitch a no hitter for us. It was decided then that the silly bands and Justin Beiber may have had some sort of magic for our boys but it wasn't yet confirmed. It was just one game after all.

The following night more silly bands were distributed and our head coach insisted we play the entire Justin Beiber cd during batting practice. Again, our bats showed up and Beiber fever and silly bands helped us out with a win.

Being an avid baseball fan, I wasn't sure how long Beiber fever and silly bands would last us but the magic fortunately continued last night when the team went away to play Florence, which was unfortunately rained out in the bottom of the fifth, but the Daredevils were leading 3-2. Tonight, the magic was in full swing when we traveled to Wilson and took home a win with a final score of 7-2.

Beiber fever and silly bands have brought our team some sort of magic and I for one do not want to see this win streak end. The boys travel to Edenton tomorrow night to take on the Steamers.

Preseason Thoughts

With the season set to start less than a week away, things are looking up here in Kill Devil Hills. Housing is finally set in stone for the players and coaches. Jersey tops have been organized along with all the other uniform essentials for players to pick up. Sponsorship banners have been cleaned, and today, were hung along the outfield fence at First Flight Baseball Complex. Bring on the competition! After a banner year for the 'Devils in 2009, Outer Banks will look to bring home their first championship in seven years, when they won back-to-back Petitt Cup titles in '02-'03.

As a second year intern, I see things as much improved in the early stages of 2010. General Manager Owen Hassell has worked tirelessly, putting all the pieces together during the winter months. Webcaster Bryan Holland arrived on the Outer Banks in March, helping Hassell secure sponsorships and other sales while preparing to become the official voice of the 'Devils come mid-May. The intern staff has worked on various tasks over the past two-three weeks. Jessica Garrison, Kyle Buske, Regan Shouldis, Jonathan Seamans, Daniel Saunders, Megan Owens, Jacob Garrison, Kelly McBride, Jocelyn Crane, and I are all looking forward to the season and meeting everyone at the ballpark. Tomorrow, the final transition stage of First Flight Baseball Complex will be complete. We will be moving all of the office equipment to the park and finishing up other small tasks. Head Coach Jeff Wicker along with Assistant Coaches Tyler Noel and Josh Eachues are also set to report. All of the roster guys NOT playing in NCAA conference tournaments will follow right behind them on Sunday.

Monday night will be a meet & greet at the Pizza Hut in Kill Devil Hills from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. If we don't see you there, we hope you attend Opening Night at First Flight Baseball Complex on May 26th when the Daredevils open play against the Morehead City Marlins. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for pre-game entertainment that's set to include another meet & greet with Daredevils players accompanied by live music courtesy of the Sea Notes barbershop quartet. Let's make this a season to remember. See you all at the park!

- Kyle Clements -

Greetings from Kyle Clements

I figured it would be a good idea to introduce myself since I will be posting here all summer. My name is Kyle Clements. This summer will be my second with the Daredevils as an intern. For those of you around last year, I worked as the P.A. announcer for the first half of the season and was part of the promotions team for the second. I am currently pursuing a degree in Sport Management at George Mason University and will be a senior this fall. I hope all of you keep tabs and even share your thoughts through our blog all season long. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an e-mail at southpaw0711@gmail.com. See you all at First Flight on May 26th!

Daredevils mourn Johnson passing

The Outer Banks Daredevils send out their condolences and prayers to the family of Nathan Johnson, who passed away last week. A former Daredevils player in 2007, Johnson suffered a head injury during a Toughman event in Oklahoma City.

The toughest part of this story is who's left behind: his fiancee, who is expecting their first child. They were married in a special ceremony at the hospital before his passing. She is changing the baby girl's middle name to Natalie to honor him. He was described as a strong Christian man by many of his peers.

While covering the team for the paper I admit I knew little about Johnson. It was a tough season on the field for the Daredevils in 2007 with the MLB Draft taking more than five players early, including 2006 CPL All-Star Mike Folli, along with a number of injuries. One of the highlights was the team's final game, when C.J. Rhodes hit a walkoff homer to give the fans one last good moment in a season of tough ones.

But it didn't stop the news from getting to me just days after Johnson had passed. We have host families who keep up with their players years after they leave the beach.

And while it sounds odd at first, there's a great ending to this story. Johnson was an organ donor, and his liver will now help a 4-year-old girl who is in critical condition live. His kidneys have already been donated.

We don't know why the Lord puts us in a certain path, but we know it is His will. I'm sure He will continue to bless Johnson's family and has used the family's own to help others in need.

One thing I look at when researching prospective players is their determination and passion. Do they really care about playing hard every single day, or is it someone more concerned with the sun and sand of the Outer Banks? I also make sure our coach makes the majority of the decisions on players -- otherwise, why hire one?

I can tell Johnson's passion reached beyond the baseball diamond to help others, even in his passing. I can only hope we recruit more players with his character.

- Owen

Daredevils on TV

View our latest TV commercial here and in Dare County on various Charter Cable channels. Thanks to all of you, we believe 2010 will be our best season ever!

Welcome Daredevils Fans!

This is it, the inaugural post on the new Outer Banks Daredevils baseball blog! It's a mouthful I know.

This is a chance for you to gain extra insight on your favorite summer collegiate baseball team through the words of Daredevils staff and players. Sure, it's February and windy and cold and any other adjective that could steer one from baseball now -- but in just more than 100 days we will begin our fifth season at First Flight Baseball Complex in Kill Devil Hills.

Feel free to comment and send in your questions. We could start up a weekly mailbag where we answer as many as possible. Consider this as your forum for Daredevils baseball alongside www.obxdaredevils.com and the team's Facebook, Twitter and Youtube pages.

Until the next post, welcome!

- Owen, GM