New-look Post 303 aims for repeat

Staff photo by Mike Buhler
Dunklin County Post 303 will be looking to win its second straight district title when the 2008 season kicks off today at Poplar Buff. Pictured are (from left) Ben Smith, Shane Branum, Austin Jackson, Dylan Stockton and Dustin Hunter.

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Loads of pitching depth. Lots of strong hitting. Over two dozen sponsors. And even some new uniforms.

After wearing maroon and black in various combinations the last several years, Post 303 is switching to a red, white and blue color scheme for most of its games this season. The team will retain a black and white jersey as an alternate uniform.

"The reason with the new look is we had the same look for nine years and with new people sponsoring us we wanted to make changes this summer," Dunklin County manager Jamie Johnson said. "When I think of American Legion baseball, I think of red, white and blue, and I thought of the most classic uniform I could find."

The new sponsors have helped make that possible.

"I'd like to thank our sponsors," said Johnson. "Without them this wouldn't be possible."

The jerseys are far from the only change, however.

Joining Johnson's coaching staff is former Post 303 standout Nathan Baker, who was a key member of DC's state championship squad in 2000. Baker will coach third base, while Scott Montgomery will coach first and Glen Johnson, the manager's father, will serve as bench coach.

As was stated earlier, Dunklin County is loaded with pitching. Sixteen of the 18 players on the roster are able to pitch.

Leading the way is Kennett's Shane Branum, who played a big role in Post 303's district title run last season. The recent graduate is headed to Shawnee this fall and looks to be DC's ace on the hill.

"It's going to be nice to have some flexibility which we haven't had in the past few years," Jamie Johnson said. "The ability to run quality arms out there on a daily basis -- that's impressive."

"Shane Branum threw so well for us down the stretch last year," said the younger Johnson. "I think Shane will be a big part."

Among others who could stand out on the hill are the Senath-Hornersville duo of Dustin Hunter and Heath Horvath, Sloan Richardson -- who played for Baker this spring at Delta C7 -- Cooter ace Aaron McCaig and Kennett southpaw Austin Jackson, who tossed a no-hitter at Senath-Hornersville back in April.

"I look for big things out of Austin," the manager said. "Us having a lefthander helps a lot."

But it's not all in pitching for Dunklin County. The lineup is loaded with hitters. Horvath, Branum, Hunter, McCaig and South Pemiscot's Kaleb Canoy all swing the bat well, as do many others on the roster.

"It may take 25 games to find the best nine with that roster of guys," Jamie Johnson said. "There's a lot of talent there. There are a lot of arms there too. We'll have more pitching depth than in the past."

Notes: McCaig and Canoy were named as the Players of the Year in the Tri-County and Bootheel Conferences, respectively. ... Post 303 has three players from Butler County -- Poplar Bluff's Cameron Pickard and brothers Dylan and Garrett Stockton from Twin Rivers.