2007 Preview
5.4.07
 DICKINSON, ND -- Welcome back to another season of Custom Design Softball! The ’07 season is by far the most anticipated season in CD softball history. After losing the league championship in the last game of the season, Team CD went off on the rest of the North Dakota state teams by going 3-1 and taking 5th place at state. This year CD expects nothing less than a league championship season and a better placing at state. Many “experts” think this may be lofty thinking but after last year’s success Team CD only wants more!

The Roster saw a few changes as usual. On the guys side we lost original A’s member Mike Cook who’s pursuing his master’s degree in Texas, and Blake Wilson just decided to play on Thursday’s this summer. But the roster was filled nicely by adding Team CD friend and Biohazard member Brian Wenko. Wenko will add power and speed at the plate, and in the outfield paired with Team CD’s already speedy outfield, not much should fall in the holes for opposing teams. Returning for the guys are original A’s members Danbom, Herold & DesRosier, as well as Murphy, T-Books & Heupel. The girl’s side has seen more changes. Gone is Bobbi Cook who went to Texas with hubby Mike. And original A’s member and former team mother Becky Dobitz is staying in Rugby all summer. (When Team CD takes the field on June 6th against Dakota Community Andrew DesRosier will be the only member of the team to have played in every franchise game.) Returning to the team is original A’s member Heidi Danbom who sat out last summer pregnant with her (and my) handsome son Tyler. Amanda Booke comes to the team this summer after hanging out with the team last summer and filling in for Katie Herold at the State tournament. Booke adds speed on the base paths and depth at catcher. The final new addition to the team is Crystal Ensign who played for the DSU softball team in the late 90’s. Crystal will add depth in the infield. Returning girls are Herold, Danielle O’Brien, Pommerer, & original A’s member Bronson. Jen O’Brien is also returning but on the 14 game disabled list. At the state amateur basketball tournament in Bismarck in March, O’Brien blew out her knee and tore her meniscus. She had surgery already and hopes to be back for state. Jen’s sister Danielle will be leaving the team in July to go teach in Los Angeles. Of the original 2004 team there are 6 members left.

There has been a slight change in the Team CD unis. CD is ditching their grey/black jersey material hats for all black flex-fit trucker hats for the guys and relaxed adjustable fit hats for the women.

The Dickinson Classic league has once again taken a major overhaul. There are now 6 teams in the league up 2 from last year. The only team returning to league with Team CD is Bud Light/Braun’s Distributing. Last year Team CD sweep the season series from Bud Light who surprisingly finished last behind now defunct Just-In-Glass/Pro-tint. Bud Light is still the only team left in the league since Team CD joined as the Army’s West A’s in ’04. They were the “Pepsi Company” then. New to the league are first-time members Dakota Community Insurance, The Pit Stop, RoughRider RV’s & Eagles/Coor’s Light. This year Team CD plays 8 games on south 2 this year, 4 games on south 1 and 2 games on south 5.

The “Unofficial” start of the season started on April 26th as Team CD’s Intramural team the Biohazard, played in the annual DSU Coed Softball tournament. Team CD’s was red hot right off the “Bat”, winning 24-0 in game 1. Game 2 saw Biohazard down 13-7 in the 5th but we crawled back and then put up a 15 spot on the “D-Bags” in the 6th to 12 run them 25-13. Game 3 was a tough game even though the Biohazard was ahead 10-6 they fell to the “Cow-Tippers” 14-13. Day 2 started off with a heavily argued 7-6 win against “Off Constantly”, but the tourney ended with a 12-8 loss to a rematch with the “D-Bags”. Danbom says he officially retires from DSU Coed Softball. 10 years is enough.

Team CD has another tournament as Biohazard on May 5th & 6th, in beach at the Stals & Gals. Then the season starts a month later on June 6th against Dakota Community on south 2 at 6pm.