Oilers complete coaching staff

The Peninsula Oilers have completed their coaching staff with the signing of University of Cincinnati assistant coach Kyle DiEduardo as the team's pitching coach.

DiEduardo joined the Division I Bearcats coaching staff this year after a stellar career at Cincinnati where he was named to the Academic All-America team in 2001. DiEduardo also was rewarded twice as a member of the Academic All-Conference team. DiEduardo is listed throughout the Bearcats' record book for pitchers. The 23-year-old is from Boca Raton, Fla., and will be receiving his college degree in finance and business management on June 7. He will join the Oilers in time for the final day of the second annual Oilers Hardball Tournament, June 10.

Construction jobs at Coral Seymour Memorial Park are going full tilt as the organization rushes to complete the massive upgrades to the playing surface, fences and bleachers. The lingering winter made for a late start, but the recent good weather has been very cooperative.

Fans will get their first glimpse of the new Coral Seymour Memorial Park at the Hardball Tournament, which kicks off the Oilers' season June 8. The regular season opener is June 11 and once again will be sponsored by Coca Cola, Country Foods and the Peninsula Clarion.

As the college season winds down, the Oilers 2002 roster is holding intact with no surprises to date. However, that could change with the annual baseball draft on June 4 which could cause some last-minute scrambles for replacements.

Only one more week before the 20th annual Oilers Gusher Dinner Dance and Fund Raiser. If you haven't got your tickets yet, be sure to see a member of the Oilers board of directors.

For more information, contact the Oilers at 283-7133 or stop by the team office on the corner of Cook Avenue and Main Street in Kenai.

Oilers Corner is submitted weekly during the offseason by Mike Baxter, baseball operations manager for the Peninsula Oilers Alaska Baseball League team.