dodgerfan wrote:b-baller wrote:Alex Moe from Central is very good both defensivly and hitting. He was All-EDC with Sadler and is a year younger. Look for him to be the top catcher in the east next year. Sadler and Moe will split time behind the plate for the GF legion, both also play a good center field.
i think sadler is better then moe, and i guess i've never saw either of them play center field
by Tom Miller- Grand Forks Herald The Grand Forks Royals American Legion baseball team inherited two all-East Region catchers from the Grand Forks high school teams Red River and Central.
So is a packed position, with the abilities of Red River's Andy Sadler and Central's Alex Moe, a problem for the Royals?
No. In fact, it's just the opposite.
"For us, its been a godsend," Royals assistant coach Nick Chine said.
The versatility of Sadler and Moe allow Grand Forks to play one at catcher and the other in the outfield, allowing both strong bats to be in the lineup at the same time.
The situation isn't only nice, it's essential.
"We only have two true outfielders," Chine said. "Without (Sadler's and Moe's) versatility, we'd be in a bind."
The two split Grand Forks' top pitchers. Sadler catches Sean Potter, who graduated from Red River in 2006. Moe catches Alex Kreis, who was Central's ace during the recently completed high school season.
"Kreis trusts me and I know what he wants to throw," Moe said. "And it's the same with Potter and Andy."
The catching tandem has bailed out the Royals defensively, while also sparking the team's offense.
Entering Monday night's doubleheader against Wahpeton, Moe was batting .388 while Sadler was hitting .333. Both players have scored 17 runs and have driven in 10 more through 12 games.
Sadler and Moe bat leadoff and second, respectively.
"Andy is a big base-stealing threat, no matter which base he's on," Chine said. "Even if the catcher barely bobbles the ball, he doesn't have a shot of getting Andy."
While Sadler has shown his speed, Moe has displayed his power. He recently had a pair of home runs in a game against West Fargo. The 17-year-old also has a pair of doubles so far this year.
"I like (splitting time between catcher and outfielder)," Moe said. "You get to enjoy the whole experience."
For the 18-year-old Sadler, the situation has been a nice change of pace from the daily grind of catching every day.
"When I played for the Royals as a sophomore, it was just me and John Greicar that could catch," said Sadler, who has signed to play baseball at UND. "That year, I think I sat two or three games the entire season."
Chine also noted changes that occur when a player isn't forced to catch nearly every game of a 50-game season.
"It's good for their knees and it's good for them mentally," Chine said. "It keeps them fresh, more in tune and more alert."
The plan has worked well for the Royals, who are 10-4 this season after sweeping Wahpeton 4-2, 14-4 on Monday night. Their only four losses came in Omaha, Neb., against out-of-state competition. Against East Region opponents, Grand Forks is 6-0.
"We've been hitting really well," Moe said. "And we've only been having one or two errors a game."