The Manitowoc Lincoln baseball team is enjoying the sunshine and 80-degree temperatures of Florida as they look to take the next step to the WIAA State Tournament in June.
Bruce Steinbecker begins his 29th year in the program and tells SeehaferNews.com he can’t wait to start the season.
“We’ve had an amazing off season with very good participation,” he revealed. “We have about 55 players in the program that have been working hard the last three months to get ready. We are anxious to get this thing rolling and look forward to a great season.”
The Ships flew to Vero Beach, Florida Thursday to train for a week at the former spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Steinbecker says they’ll be practicing twice a day.
“One of the practices will be working on the fundamentals and the second workout will be simulation game-like situations against other teams that are here (in Florida), training as well,” he explained. “It’ll be a controlled, but competitive like atmosphere.”
This is the third trip in the last five years to Vero Beach for the Ships, who now, and will, for the foreseeable future hold preseason workouts in warmer climes.
Plans are to train at Vero Beach every other year, and they will train in Louisville Kentucky next spring.
The Ships lost six seniors from last year’s team that won 23 games, most notably Noah Wech who’s currently pitching at Oklahoma State.
Steinbecker says they’ll all be missed, but says his five returning seniors, Brayden Steinbecker, Seth Gibault, Ben Schroeder, Cameron Braun, and Zach Bradl, are as good as anyone.
“Those five seniors are going to play the same role and have the same goals as last year’s seniors,” the skipper said. “You add juniors Cade Grapentine and Benson Dickrell to the mix, who each hit over .300 in conference, and you have a line-up that is just as good as anyone’s around.”
Their home turf, Municipal Field, will be getting a major facelift soon, thanks to generous donors and community entities.
Funds still need to be raised for upgraded restrooms and a press box, but Steinbecker says many have worked hard to make this a reality.
Why can’t Manitowoc have a top-notch facility?” he pondered. “You know what, we’ve stepped up to the plate and hitting homeruns, giving these kids everything they deserve. We are bringing people to Manitowoc and it’s a bright light for everyone involved.”
Lincoln finished tied for second with Bayport in the FRCC, two games behind De Pere.
The Ships’ Head Coach says 2025 will be one of the most exciting and unpredictable years of his tenure.
“There’s no gimmies,” he put it bluntly. “Green Bay Preble, despite being picked to finish last by some, will be right in the thick of it. The FRCC will be as competitive and wide open as it’s ever been. We need to trust in our work and respect the other team in a different uniform. I like our chances. I feel we can be in the middle of the fight (for the conference title) and it may not be decided until the end of the season.”
The Ships are scheduled to return home next week and open the season hosting the Kewaunee Storm on April 4th
