By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Monarchs owner Marc Blackim is excited for the upcoming season, as the team prepares to start play June 1, weather permitting.
"We like to get as many guys from the area as possible, whether they are actual Hutch residents or Hutchinson Community College players, so they have some tie to the Hutchinson area," Blackim said. "I think a lot of the teams throughout the area are trying to get as many local guys as they can."
There are some restrictions on the roster construction in summer collegiate baseball.
"On a normal year, all that the NCAA allows is four players from a Division I or Division II school," Blackim said. "Last year was a little different, due to COVID, because so many leagues canceled and didn't play last year, we were allowed to have eight."
Blackim is also excited for the additional opportunity of the NBC World Series playing more of its games at Hobart-Detter this year.
"Fans are going to be able to see some of the best talent they've ever seen," Blackim said. "It's going to bring money into the community like we've never seen before. It's just a huge opportunity for not only the Monarchs, but the city of Hutchinson."
The Monarchs players whose college seasons are done are already in town, with the first three games against the El Dorado Broncos scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Hobart-Detter.