The 2011 Fayetteville SwampDogs continued their trend of setting new standards last year, as the level of excitement and entertainment rose to new heights despite an early-round playoff exit. The Coastal Plain League noticed, as they named the SwampDogs the 2011 organization of the year, the second time they have provided that honor to the team. The turnstiles were worn out once again, as the best fans in the CPL filled up “The Swamp” more than ever, including a record-setting crowd of 6,039 on July 3^rd.

In 2012, the SwampDogs plan to make this summer even better than the last. The All American Summer of Fun will once again include one of the most decorated managers in summer collegiate history, as well as a bevy of talented players and assistant coaches. Everyone within the organization is itching for the season to start, as are all of the loyal fans in the community.

Director of operations/manager Darrell Handelsman returns for his eighth season at the helm, along with more than 500 career CPL wins.  He has been a SwampDog since 2005, and has been named head coach of the CPL All-Decade Team, Coach of the Year twice (2005, 2006) and three-time CPL All-Star head coach.

J.P. Riddle Stadium will be rocking once again in 2012, with 31 game promotions, five weekly promotions and multiple mouth-watering picnic packages to take each fan’s game experience to the next level. Twelve giveaways to fans are surpassed only by the annual jersey auction events. Once again, the Striking Out Cancer pink jerseys will be auctioned off after the game on July 21^st, but this year marks the first time the camouflage jerseys will be available to fans as well.

The All American Summer of Fun promises to be just as exciting as ever before. With the help of the most loyal fans in the CPL, the SwampDogs 12th season has the potential to be the best one yet.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are pleased to welcome a pair of teammates from the nationally top-ranked University of Tampa to help bolster the outfield for the 2012 season. Connor Obrochta and Zach Gawrych are both coming off stellar campaigns in their sophomore seasons this spring.

Gawrych led the Spartans in hitting in 2012, with a whopping .385 average in 34 starts. His four triples were also the most on the squad, and he added seven steals to illuminate his athleticism. The 6-1, 190-pound Tampa native was named to the SSC’s Commissioner’s Honor Roll in his freshman year, where he played in 36 games. He hit .385 in his senior year at Wharton High School.

Obrochta was equally impressive this season, recording a .361 average while appearing in every game, tied for most appearances on the team. He compiled 10 extra-base hits alongside eight stolen bases, a reflection of his speed as well. The 6-0, 185-pound sophomore hails from Gulfport, FL where he hit .436 in his senior season at St. Petersburg Catholic High School.

"We are excited about the addition of Connor and Zach to our roster; they are both exceptional athletes and will add depth to our roster. Both of these guys can play all three outfield spots and are capable of hitting at the top of any lineup."

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 12^th season in the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players a chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 930 alums drafted and 50 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their major league debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via twitter (at cpleague).

Pictured left to right: Zach Gawrych and Connor Obrochta, photo courtesy of University of Tampa S.I.D.

Each year Fun-Go looks forward to visiting the Asthma Action Fair and the vendors who make this event so successful. Today Fun-Go was happy to visit this great event presented by the Cape Fear Valley Health System. 

This is a free event and open to anyone affected by asthma. Attendees received free peak flow meters and spacers while supplies lasted. Free lung function screenings and educational seminars were held, as well.

With the season fast approaching, Fun-Go is hard at work making new friends and seeing old friends. Stay on the lookout, because you never know where you'll see Fun-Go next!

NBC-17 is making a week-long tour of cities in North Carolina in their "Your Town" series. Thursday was their day to focus on Fayetteville and the SwampDogs mascots, Fun-Go & Cookie, the SwampDogs Sweethearts and the front office staff were a part of the home town crowd.

This series is meant to focus on the wonderful things Fayetteville has to do and to offer to residents and visitors. To view the full interview with Director of Operations and Head Coach Darrell Handelsman click here.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are excited to welcome three right-handers to their pitching staff for the 2012 campaign. South Dakota State’s Layne Somsen, Emporia State’s Keith Picht and Illinois’ Drasen Johnson (pictured L-R Somsen, Picht & Johnson. Pictures courtesy of respective school's SID) will look to stabilize an already impressive group of hurlers for the Dogs.

Somsen has been able to get his career back on track after logging just two innings over the last two seasons because of arm injuries. In 2009, he started 12 of his 14 appearances, tied for the team lead. The 6-0, 190-pound righty has started nine games in 2012 for the Jackrabbits, recording a 3.74 ERA and striking out 41 batters in 43.1 innings. The junior hails from Yankton, S.D. and recorded an unbelievable senior season at Yankton High School, where he amassed a miniscule 1.00 ERA and struck out 128 batters in just 60 innings.

Picht has appeared in 14 games for Emporia State in 2012, starting four contests. He has recorded four victories alongside a 3.91 ERA. The 6-0, 185-pound junior transferred in from Barton Community College prior to 2012, where he was 6-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 75 innings on the hill. He was All-State at Olathe South High School in Olathe, Kansas, his hometown.

Johnson is in his first season of action with Illinois’ club after redshirting in his first year in 2011.  So far this year he’s amassed a 1-0 record in 12 appearances, recording 22 innings of work on the bump. His imposing 6-4, 190-pound frame is surely an intimidating presence on the field, and he used it to his advantage in his senior year at Illinois Valley Central High School, where he was 8-2 with a 2.07 ERA in 2010. The Chillicothe, Ill. native has been working exclusively out of the bullpen for the Fighting Illini.

“I expect all three of these guys to come in and compete for innings,” said SwampDogs head coach Darrell Handelsman. “They are all quality arms who will add depth to our pitching staff, which is invaluable during the summer.”

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 12th season in the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 16th season in 2012, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players a chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 930 alums drafted and 50 alums – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their major league debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via twitter (at cpleague).