The California High School varsity and JV baseball teams are starting the 2014 season under the direction of new head coach Jason Gatlin.
"I think it's going to be an exciting season," Gatlin said. "Our team is senior-heavy and we have seven juniors on the varsity squad."
This season's seniors are Randy Allee, Burke Brant, Alex Davis, Austin Gump, Zach Holliday, JT Trachsel and Bret Volmert. The juniors are Jaden Barr, Alex Dalbey, Jacob Distler, Eli Freeman, Kyle Lee, Drew Norton and Matt Oerly.
Last year the Pintos ended the season with a 12-10 loss to the Centralia Panthers in the opening round of the Class 3 District 8 Baseball Tournament at North Callaway.
"Practice has been fantastic," Gatlin said of the 2014 season. "We really want to see people at the games. We might not win all of them, but we will be competitive and we will have fun."
The Pintos started off this season with a home game against Eugene Monday, followed by away games at Cole Camp Tuesday, March 25. California will play at Mexico at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Assistant coaches for the Pintos are Robb Hartman and Bobby Sangster.