The players and coaches that will comprise the 2017 Junction City Brigade summer collegiate baseball team met at Rathert Field Tuesday evening for a short meeting and batting practice.

Head Coach Seth Wheeler and General Manager Cecil Aska met with the team, which is comprised of college and junior college players from across the region.

Wheeler, who started as a Brigade player five years ago, is now entering his third season as head coach. He said this is the most returning players the program has ever had. “The thing I’m most excited about is to have those six or seven guys coming back, and they’re really good kids too.” Some of them include Josh Maple, Cole Brecheisen, Collin Chandler and Lane Fleming.

The Brigade are the defending Cowdin Cup champions in the Mid Plains League.

The team opens with a three game series against the Rossville Rattlers. Junction City plays at Rossville Thursday and Friday nights at 7 p.m. and hosts the Rattlers Saturday at 7 p.m. at Rathert Field.