LeCroy comes in as the Suns' manager, fresh off his playing career as catcher for Minnesota and Washington, so he has seen a few spring trainings before. But this one was different because he was making the points as opposed to receiving them.
"I laid it all out the first day (of camp)," he said. "I expect them to play hard and respect the game. I'm a fun guy, but I like to win."
LeCroy is assisted by former major leaguer Rich Gale as his pitching coach, and former Baltimore Oriole Tony Tarasco returns as the hitting coach. He comes to Hagerstown with a team of Washington Nationals prospects that include nine players returning from last year and three Maryland natives.
Topping the list is catcher Derek Norris, the Nationals' fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft.
"He has a good bat and he is one of our power bats," said LeCroy of the 20-year-old Norris. "He is still learning how to catch, but he has a good arm and a good mind for the game. He'll probably be our cleanup hitter."
Steven Souza returns to the Suns to start at third and Steve Lombardozzi, the son of former major leaguer of the same name and a Fulton, Md., resident, will start at second.
The outfield is anchored by left fielder Chris Curran and center fielder Marcus Jones, of Bethesda, Md.
"Curran can run and will be our leadoff guy," LeCroy said. "He is the biggest dirtbag of all."
Gale comes to the Suns after coaching stints in Double-A and Triple-A. He preaches efficiency over perfection.
"I would like to see them pitch for contact early," Gale said. "Most pitchers shy away from that. But if they can make it so the ball is put in play quickly, pitchers like it because it saves pitches, and defensive players, umpires and fans all love it because it moves the game. The only one who doesn't like it are hitters."
Suns returnee Brad Peacock will get the opening-day start with left-hander Jack McGeary, a sixth-round pick in the 2007 draft, to follow. Hagerstown has a good mix of right- and left-handed pitching.
They are all components which could make the Dirtbags compelling to watch.
"It will be a mix of running with hit-and-runs and some guys who can drive the ball and we are good defensively," LeCroy said. "We won't be a small-ball team. We have done this since Day 1 of the spring, and I think we will be all right."
