—Photo by Troy Schroeder Returning letterwinners for the Fort Dodge baseball team are, front row (left to right): Anthony Wagner, Drake Miller and Drew Callon. Back: Shane Halligan, Brycen Bell and Mason Bockoven.

There haven’t been many motivational speeches or droning reminders coming from Fort Dodge baseball coach Blake Utley in preparation for the 2019 season.

“These kids come to the ballpark every day with the right attitude and a commitment to working hard and working together,” said Utley, who is entering his seventh season at the helm. “The culture is right where it needs to be, and this group has done a terrific job of self-regulating. We have some strong upperclass leaders.

“It’s been nice to see them taking ownership and holding each other accountable, so that the message isn’t just coming from myself or the coaching staff. That’s what good teams do.”

Six regulars are back for Utley’s squad, which went 16-21 overall a year ago. The schedule remains daunting, but the Dodgers won’t shy away from what lies ahead over these next eight weeks.

“We’ve never shielded ourselves from a challenge, and we’re not going to start now,” Utley said. “The CIML is as good as it gets night in and night out. If we can prove ourselves here, it will only make us stronger once the postseason rolls around.

“We expect to play the best of the best, and we won’t back down.”

Infield

Senior first baseman Drake Miller is back for his third year of varsity action, anchoring a veteran infield. The left-hander hit .400 last season with five home runs, 27 runs scored, 10 doubles and 36 RBI.

Miller was a first team all-CIML and second team all-district selection last summer.

“Drake’s as dependable as it gets,” Utley said. “From his attitude through his determination. He’s the type of guy you want leading your program. He’ll set the tone and give you everything he has, both on the field and on the mound.”

Junior Shane Halligan returns for his third year as a Dodger catcher. Halligan batted .333 with nine doubles, five homers and 30 driven in last season, garnering second team all-CIML and all-district honors in the process.

“Shane, like Drake, is going to battle and wear that Dodger uniform with pride,” Utley said. “He’ll leave everything he has on the field. He took a big step forward (as a sophomore) both offensively and defensively, and we expect that again (in 2019). We’ll need it.”

Junior shortstop Mason Bockoven and senior second baseman Anthony Wagner form a familiar double-play combination up the middle. Bockoven (.280, 16 RBI) shifts from third base to short, and Wagner (.245, 10 RBI) returns at second despite dealing with some lingering arm issues in the early going.

“Mason has impressed me. The transition has been seamless,” Utley said. “He has terrific range and a really strong arm. He does everything the right way, and he really works hard on his own (in the offseason). He’s going to do special things.

“Anthony’s on the shelf right now (defensively), but he’s getting closer. We’ve had a few injury issues in the preseason, which we can’t afford. In order for us to compete at the level the CIML demands, we’re going to have to stay as healthy as possible. We need to get our guys back to 100 percent.”

Junior twins Easton and Nelson Cone are “really battling” at second base. “They both love the game and put in the time,” Utley said. “They’re baseball kids.”

Sophomore Dylan Zimmermann takes over at third base after lettering as a rookie last summer. Freshman Carson Peterson will also see time in the hot corner.

“Dylan’s another guy who is ready to take a big step forward,” Utley said. “Carson is our utility guy. He could see the field at a lot of different positions. He’s very athletic and varsity-ready as just a freshman.”

Outfield

Junior Brycen Bell will again patrol the lot in center field. Bell (.254, 16 runs, 10 steals in 2018), a football and track standout, is entering his third season as a varsity team member.

Senior Drew Callon, a second team all-CIML and all-district pick, is back in right. Callon hit .300 with 28 runs scored and nine steals while serving as the ace of the FDSH staff a year ago.

Junior Nick Bice will be in left.

“Brycen covers a lot of ground in center and has become a very reliable player for us in all facets of the game,” Utley said. “Drew is another four-year guy who will use his experience to his advantage at the plate and in the field when he isn’t pitching. And Nick is just bigger, stronger and more confident this spring. He’s ready to go.

“I like the makeup of our outfield.”

Peterson and junior David Folsom should also see time at the corner outfield spots.

Pitching Staff

Callon, a southpaw, was a hard-luck hurler a year ago. He posted a personal record of just 2-5, despite sporting a 3.34 earned run average. Opponents batted only .226 against him.

The Upper Iowa University commit struck out 44 in 44 innings of work.

“Drew is a bulldog. He’ll compete for every out,” Utley said. “He’s not quite at 100 percent right now, so his pitch counts will be somewhat limited early on. But he has plus stuff and four years of experience he’ll use to his advantage.”

Miller (5-1, 4.44 ERA) and Bockoven (4-2, 4.28 ERA) combined to win nine of the squad’s 16 games last season.

“Drake is an all-state quarterback out there — he wants the ball and commands attention,” Utley said. “Mason changes his speeds well and throws a heavy ball. We have a lot of confidence in our top three guys.”

Zimmermann, Halligan and Peterson are also going to be counted on for varsity innings, while Easton Cone, freshman Jace Ulrich and freshman Drake Callon “also have plenty of potential.”

“We’ll need as many arms as possible,” Utley said. “You can never have enough when you’re in our situation.”

Schedule and

Coaching Staff

Having defending state champion Urbandale, state participant Johnston and traditional power West Des Moines Dowling shift out of the CIML’s Iowa Conference would normally be a positive.

Instead, the Dodgers exchange home-and-home league doubleheaders with the J-Hawks, Dragons and Maroons for Waukee (29-12 last year, state qualifier), West Des Moines Valley (28-16, state qualifier), and Southeast Polk (29-11).

Marshalltown (20-19, state qualifier) and Mason City (18-22) remain.

“We trade the ‘Big 3’ for a different ‘Big 3,'” Utley said. “Valley had a lot of seniors last season, but they just reload. Waukee is always deep, talented and well-coached. And Southeast Polk was very good (in 2018) and pretty young overall.

“Marshalltown and Mason City are both solid programs year in and year out, and have some of their top arms back. It’s going to be a gauntlet, but that’s what we’ve come to expect.”

Nick Vinson and Mike Richman will again assist Utley at the varsity level. Jared Benson joins the program at the lower levels. Thomas Hartley returns to coach the freshmen.

“I’m so grateful for my staff and the ideas and energy they bring to the table,” Utley said. “We’re really looking forward to this season. Baseball is a tough sport; it can be a real grind. We ask a lot out of our kids. It pushes you physically and mentally.

“At the end of the day, you get to play a game with your buddies and we want them enjoying the process. That’s what Dodger baseball is all about: being there for each other through thick and thin, and also, having fun.”

Dodger Roster

Seniors — Drake Miller, Drew Callon, Anthony Wagner.

Juniors — Shane Halligan, Mason Bockoven, Brycen Bell, Nick Bice, Easton Cone, Nelson Cone, David Folsom, Jordan Mills.

Sophomores — Dylan Zimmermann, Sawyer Springer.

Freshmen — Carson Peterson, Jace Ulrich, Drake Callon.

Dodger Schedule

May 25 — Clinton, 11 a.m.; 25 — Davenport West, 1:30 p.m.; 28 — at Algona, 7:30 p.m.; 31 — at Boone, 7:30 p.m.

June 3 — Waukee, 5 p.m.; 5 — at Johnston, 5 p.m.; 7 — at Sioux City North; 10 — Marshalltown; 12 — at Southeast Polk, 5 p.m.; 13 — at Ankeny Centennial, 5 p.m.; 17 — Valley, 5 p.m.; 19 — at Mason City, 5 p.m.; 22 — Johnston Invitational; 12:15 p.m. vs. North Scott; 2:30 p.m. vs. LeMars; 24 — at Waukee, 5 p.m.; 26 — at Marshalltown, 5 p.m.; 27 — at Ottumwa, 5 p.m.

July 1 — at Southeast Polk, 5 p.m.; 3 — at Valley, 5 p.m.; 5 — Sioux City East, 8 p.m.; 8 — Mason City, 5 p.m.; 10 — at Des Moines North, 5 p.m.; 15 — Des Moines East, 5 p.m.