Like their nickname, they are true pioneers, coming into new territory.
The Folsom Pioneers, established in 2004, play their first game at the Arcata Ball Park today.
The visitors from the Sacramento Rural League -- and a fellow member of the 2009 Sierra Baseball League -- face the Crabs in single games today at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a Saturday game which begins at 7 p.m.
The Folsom ballclub was formed in 1988 as the Sacramento Athletics, and competed under that name through 2003. When the team changed its name to the Pioneers its goal was to have a team comprised of former professional players and top collegiate stars.
The Pioneers had an 9-20-2 record during the 2007 season, and are off to an 8-12 start this year.
In terms of performance against familiar Crabs' opponents, this season the Pioneers are 2-0 against the Bay Area Giants, 1-1 against the Fairfield Indians and 0-2 against the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox.
Head coach Brant Cummings was formerly an assistant coach at Sierra College and a head coach for the Oakland Eagles in the SRL.
As for the Crabs, heading into today, they have been carried on the strong arms of their stellar pitchers.
The statistics for this staff, with
The team ERA of 1.97 is exceptional. Seven of their starters have ERAs of 2.25 or lower.
The collective batting average (.199) of other teams is below the Mendoza line.
And their pitchers will have some breathing room if the Crabs stagnant offense ever gets moving.
Last year Humboldt hit .330 as a team, had a .434 on-base percentage, a .444 slugging percentage, and 25 percent (127 of 509) of their base hits were for extra bases.
In comparison, this year's team is hitting. 267, has a .381 on-base percentage, a .329 slugging percentage, and only 17 percent (26 of 149) of their hits have been for extra bases.
Perhaps most frustrating for manager Matt Nutter and his coaches is the fact that, when the Crabs get on base, they often die on the vine. The Crabs have left 152 runners on base -- an average of eight per game.
Ouch.
Last year, the Crabs played an electrifying game on the Fourth of July.
Facing the Middle Fork River Rats, Humboldt took the dramatic first game 4-3 in 10 innings -- after both halves of the ninth inning ended on double-plays involving the catchers. The home team won the nightcap 5-1.
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