With warm weather finally coming to the Greater Cincinnati area, the Finneytown Wildcats were able to intrasquad and practice outside. This week was the first time that the squad was able to have official practice outside of the gym at school. The good news didn't stop there as the team welcomed the arrivals of Luke Steimle and Marcus Frey. The senior duo joined the Wildcats after finishing up the basketball season and have made an immediate impact with their presences. Frey joined the team after 3 years away from baseball but hasn't taken too long to shake off the dust. The coaching staff will look to use him in a DH role after observing some raw power potential in his swing. He will also provide some innings off the mound as he gets his arm back into baseball shape. Steimle will be finishing off a remarkable high school athletic career at the hot corner and the mound in 2015. He'll be relied on as a 4th starter with some possible relief opportunities early on. 

    With the field finally dried up, the Wildcats were able to get their first at bats against outdoor live pitching. Byron Famble showed early on why he could be on the short list for CHL Player of the Year at the end of the season. With his combination of speed and gap power, Famble will be counted on for production at the top of the lineup. Cameron Bartsch continued his impressive preseason on the mound as he gets ready for an opening day showdown with Cincinnati Country Day. Perhaps the most positive performance throughout the week was the play of sophomore Ryan Whitt. The younger brother of Michael Whitt had been in a battle for an outfield spot for the past month but pulled away over the course of the week. Not only did he solidify a spot in the starting lineup, but he also proved to be an incredibly reliable arm out of the bullpen. The increase in velocity and command of the strike zone has him on the short list of main options out of the Wildcat bullpen in 2015. WIth opening day only one week away, the Wildcats will look to make some minor adjustments over the next few days to prepare themselves for the 2015 season.