The Winona Daily News published a feature on Chiefs' player Jake Wanek and his battle back to the playing field from injuries. Read it here.
Photo by Fred Schulze, Winona Daily News
Video of Joan Wiczek's speech
The Chiefs honored Joan Wiczek on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at Gabrych Park. Joan has been attending baseball games at Gabrych Park for over six decades and many of her friends were in attendance to see her throw out the first pitch and celebrate the evening. You can see the video of Joan's speech below and read more about her in a story that appeared in the Winona Daily News.
2009 Season Preview
The “new look” Winona Chiefs begin the 2009 season this Saturday, May 9, against Bangor.Winona’s amateur baseball team used proceeds from a recent fish fry to purchase new uniforms, which will be on display at 7 p.m. when the Chiefs take the field at Gabrych Park.Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for kids 5-12.There will be a number of promotions opening night, including baseballs autographed by Twins players and tickets to a Minnesota Twins game.
Also new this season is the alignment of the Twin Rivers League, which has the Chiefs in the Zumbro Division with Caledonia, Kasson, Rochester, and St. Charles.
“This is going to be a fun year,” said Ryan Buhler, manager of the Chiefs.“We’re planning a lot of promotions and we should have a strong team to build off last year’s 17-11 record.”
Leading the charge will be pitcher/first baseman Eric Belter, who batted .348 last year and had a team-best earned-run-average of 2.14 in 63 innings pitched.While the Chiefs will be without the top and heart of their batting order with Aaron Merchlewitz and Andy Biesanz unavailable, the team does add WSU sophomore outfielder John Magee and Pitcher Brent Wohlers.
Both of those guys should help ease the loss of the players not returning from last year’s team,” Buhler said.“Not only that, but we have a number of new and returning local players that will vie for playing time.”
Matt Barrie, Scott Weifenbach, Bryan Wanek, Matt O’Brien, John Skappel, Travis Hengel, Lee Trocinski, Brad Bjerke, and Sam Cada are just a few of the veterans returning, while Jake Wanek and Adam Lueck join the Chiefs from the Legion team.Andy Gilbertson and Joe Tristano are also local players who will make this one of the deepest Chiefs teams in years.
Buhler said he can’t wait to see how this team comes together.After falling one game shy of the state tournament two years in a row, Buhler said “it’s time to take care of some unfinished business.”
History of Baseball in Winona Winona Post reporter Brian Heilman wrote a series of articles about the history of baseball in Winona, including the Winona Chiefs. Read his articles below.
