The 2015 edition of the Junction City Brigade play their first game at Rossville Wednesday night.

Coach Seth Wheeler and the players met Tuesday at Rathert Field.

Wheeler is beginning his first season as head coach but he’s no stranger to the Brigade. He is a former player and assistant coach for them. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. Shane Sieben was awesome and he’s going to be around a lot still. He’ll be my mentor and I’ll bouncing ideas off of him. I’m extremely excited about it.”  Wheeler is also an assistant baseball coach for Butler County Community College.

Sieben is the former head coach for the Brigade who chose to step down from that role. He will still serve in a player personnel role for the program.

Wheeler noted two standouts returning for Junction City from a year ago are pitcher Dalton Schalberg was the Mid-Plains Pitcher of the Year, and Bret Nickle, the MPL MVP last year. Former Junction City Blue Jays Pete Ruiz and Will Ervin are also on the team.

The home opener for the Brigade will be Saturday night against Baldwin City. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m.