River Bandits ready to show skills at all-star game

Font Size:

By Steve Batterson | Tuesday, June 17, 2008 |

Pete Kozma and Charlie Kingrey are eager to step onto the Midwest League’s biggest stage tonight.

Kozma will start at shortstop and Kingrey will open in the outfield as starters who will represent Quad-Cities at the 44th annual Midwest League All-Star Game, hosted this year by the Great Lakes Loons at Midland, Mich.

The pair will join River Bandits pitcher Mark Diapoules on the Eastern Division team in the 6 p.m. game. Quad-Cities representatives play for the East this year as part of a rotation that balances each team with players from seven teams for the all-star event.

“Getting a chance to go there and start, it means a lot,’’ Kingrey said. “Especially because the teams and the lineups are selected by the managers, it means that you must be doing something right.”

A .306 hitter who leads Quad-Cities with 35 RBIs, Kingrey is part of a lineup that also includes Kozma, St. Louis’ top choice in the 2007 draft and a .270 hitter through the first half of the season.

“When you’re selected as an all-star, it’s an indication that the season is going well, and it’s definitely something a player should shoot for every year,” Kozma said. “It’s an honor and an opportunity. You want to go there and play well.

“In my mind, that’s as important as anything. You want to demonstrate that you were picked for a reason so playing well, getting a couple of hits and helping my team win is important.’’

Kingrey would like that opportunity as well.

“We know that we’re representing our team and our organization and playing well is important,” Kingrey said. “It would be good to go there and put up some good numbers. The game is just an exhibition, but you want to show people what you can do.”

The River Bandits will face some familiar foes, taking on a team of the best from their own Western Division that is dominated by first-half champion Clinton.

LumberKings manager Mike Micucci will manage a team that includes a franchise-record nine selections.

Catcher Jose Felix, first baseman Ian Gac, shortstop Renny Osuna, third baseman Jonathan Greene and outfielder Mitch Moreland — all leaders on a Clinton team that finished 41-26 in the first half — will start for the West. Greene was added to the lineup after Beloit’s Garrett Olson was promoted by the Twins to high-A Fort Myers on Sunday.

LumberKings pitchers Neftali Feliz, Kennil Gomez and Derek Holland and designated hitter Tim Smith are also part of the West roster.

“We’ve seen all of the pitching we’ll face in our division, so that should help us, but we know we’ll be up against the best,” Kingrey said. “We’ll see some good pitching, but the pitchers are going to see some good hitters, too.”

The all-star break also provides players with an opportunity to get to know the players they compete against all season.

“I’m looking forward to that as much as anything,” Kozma said. “It’s a break from the season and we want to go there and have some fun. It will be a chance to hang out with a couple of my teammates and the other guys. It should be a cool experience.”

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.

Stars come out

What: Midwest League All-Star Game

When: Today, 6 p.m.

Where: Dow Diamond, Midland, Mich.

In the lineup: Shortstop Pete Kozma and outfielder Charlie Kingrey of Quad-Cities will start for the East while catcher Jose Felix, first baseman Ian Gac, shortstop Renny Osuna and outfielder Mitch Moreland of Clinton will start for the West team managed by the LumberKings’ Mike Micucci