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Wichita: Juggling act: Thunder staff focuses on hockey season with an eye on baseball

Yes, describe the "go, go, go" of having two franchises taking up all the time:

... The end of baseball season marked the start of hockey season.

"There is no offseason," Robertson says. "That is the motto around our office."

They also mention some of the folks that are sticking around from the Wranglers for some expertise.

That's where the presence of Robertson, Bob Flanagan and Jerry Taylor are invaluable, Presson says. Robertson, who spent eight years in the Wrangler organization -- six as an assistant general manager -- assumes control of the baseball team, while Taylor will serve as director of operations for the NBC tourney and Flanagan is the general manager of corporate sales for baseball.

They also some points about how the new club may differ --in a positive way-- from the Wranglers:

"The Wichita Wranglers are probably a bad third out of the three," Rich said last fall. "People love Shocker baseball, they love the NBC. ... I really don't think (the Wranglers) are truly part of that community."

...

It's the chance for Robertson to build an organization that Wichita will support -- a challenge that excites him.

"People will be surprised by the level of play," he says. "We're going to build a team that's Wichita's team. Our goal is to build a team that the people of Wichita can get behind."

I agree that it's unlikely that any non-graduating players will make the roster (they won't want to turn pro too early) and the best players will get drafted. As for the NBC, that might work if there are guys good enough and willing to take a shot at it --and have the time to take away more of the summer for pro ball. Certainly the Wranglers had no way to sign anyone locally and put them on the team to raise local interest.

As for the other "positives."

The schedule will be far more fan friendly with the new league, Robertson says. The 96-game season, will begin in May -- a month later than the Wranglers' season started. That will allow for better weather, fewer conflicts with school and youth baseball and less overlap with the Wichita State University baseball season.

Having fewer scheduling conflicts with the Shockers and local sports could help too (it would be interesting to know if this affected the Wranglers).

Unfortunately no one makes any mention of when the team name and other information will be released. At least they're being checked on it by the local press though not pressed for announcements.