ENDERLIN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Enderlin/Maple Valley baseball season will start a bit sooner than most in North Dakota, thanks to a trip to the Sunshine State next week.

While most baseball teams continue to practice indoors and hope to get to play games in a couple of weeks, the Falcons will be flying south for “spring training”. Head Coach Kevin Bratland says a tradition that was started by former head coach Brian Mithun 17 years ago will continue next week when he and his team head to Cocoa Cocoa Beach, Florida to play four games.

Bratland says this year’s trip will be different then in years past because of the destination.

 

 

Bratland says the trip is more than just a chance to play some games, it can be a learning experience as well.

 

 

With seven starters back and 11 players that saw playing time last season, there is optimism  among the Falcons. And with some of the players having success at other levels of baseball last summer, coach Bratland says that experience will really help heading into this season.

 

 

The Falcons begin the Northern part of their schedule with the team that ended their season in 2017 with a double header against Oakes at Hendrickson Field on April 9th.