The Cooperstown baseball team is going for the Pohl position this season.

Senior captain Andrew Pohl figures to be the number one starter, while younger brother Philip, a first team All Star catcher last year as a freshman, will be his battery-mate.

Philip Pohl hit .370 last season, is a very good defensive catcher, and has dedicated himself to getting better in the offseason, said Cooperstown baseball coach Frank Miosek.

Most mornings, Pohl meets Glen Noto, a former catcher for the semi-pro Milford Macs and a teacher at the school, at 7 a.m. and the pair work on catching fundamentals.

"Philip is an exceptional young athlete, and he's completely dedicated to baseball," Miosek said. "He's also got a great personality. He exemplifies everything you want in a player on and off the field."

With several other solid starting pitchers back from last year's extremely young 5-10 squad, the Redskins figure to have a strong battery of pitcher and catcher in most games.

Juniors Luke Banner, Zack Sittler and Brian Segit will add depth to the staff. Freshman Mack Curran, an overpowering pitcher on the Little League and Pony League levels, will also see some time on the hill, according to Miosek.

Southpaw sophomore Jim Fort, the top pitcher on Cooperstown's Pony league team last season, and Doug Kline and Tyler Combs are all potential pitching candidates as well.

The Redskins host defending Class D state champion Edmeston today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. in a non-league game, and then play at Little Falls on Monday, April 3.

"For us to have a quality showing this season three things must fall into line," Miosek said. "We need quality pitching, solid defense and timely hitting."

Cooperstown's infield has several returning starters, including Frank Petroskey, a junior captain who will start for the third straight year at shortstop. Petroskey hit .320 a year ago, and is one of the team's offensive catalysts, Miosek said.

"Frank is another player who just loves the game and is always hustling," Miosek said.

Sittler, who hit .393 last season, will play second base and leadoff hitter Banner (.297) third base. Third year player Sean Gates, a junior, will likely start at first base, Miosek said.

Miosek said the outfield positions are up for grabs, with Peter Green, a senior who hit a team-leading .400 last year, Segit, Derik Rich, Andrew Pohl and a host of younger players all candidates.

Miosek said Sauquoit, Canastota and Sherburne-Earlville figure to be the teams to beat in the Center State Conference Division II.

"Our primary goal is to improve on last year's record," Miosek said. "We lost a lot of close games last year and really lacked timely hitting, which is something we need more of this season."