Danville Braves start their 2009 season tonight!

The Appalachian League baseball season starts tonight and Danville starts on the road at Pulaski.

Here’s the introductory press release from the Braves’ front office.

As the Braves open their season Tuesday night in Pulaski, the team has announced the release of its roster today. The roster contains 12 draftees from the 2009 class and some familiar names that D-Braves fans had the opportunity to see last season in Danville.

Last season, the Braves put together their seventh consecutive winning season, and now they will look for eight in a row and try to reach the Appalachian League Championship Series for the fifth time in the last six years.

The roster is comprised of 30 players, including 13 pitchers, four catchers, eight infielders, and five outfielders.

The 13 pitchers are Luis Avilan (L), Thomas Berryhill, Matt Crim (L), Tyrelle Harris, Derick Himpsl (L), Jeffrey Lorick (L), Chris Masters (L), Brett Oberholtzer (L), Cody Railsback, Cory Rasmus, Tyler Stovall (L), Julio Surinach, and Julio Teheran. Berryhill (5th round), Crim (21st), Harris (19th), Lorick (20th), and Masters (11th) are all 2009 draftees.

The catchers are Chris Anderson, Daniel Elorriaga-Matra, Osman Marval, and Jace Whitmer (17th), who is the only 2009 draftee of the bunch.

The eight infielders are Travis Adair, Tyler Barnett, Robert Brooks, Mycal Jones, Jordan Kreke, Ryohei Shimabukuro, Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg, and Derek Wiley. Jones (4th), Kreke (13th), Spanjer-Furstenburg (16th), and Wiley (31st) were all drafted this year.

The five outfielders are Cory Harrilchak, Robert Hefflinger, Kuyaunnis Miles, Adam Milligan, and L.V. Ware. Harrilchak (14th) and Hefflinger (7th) are the 2009 draftees of the group.

The Braves will be managed by Paul Runge, who is in his fifth consecutive season at the helm. His staff includes two second-year coaches, hitting coach Carlos Mendez and pitching coach Derrick Lewis. The strength coach is Chris Lucci and the trainer is Ty Cobbs, both of whom are in their first years with the D-Braves.

Monday night, the Braves are hosting their annual Meet the Braves Night at the Danville Community Market. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $8 and all proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Danville. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy some food, mingle with the players, and gather autographs before they hit the road for a six-game road trip to open the season.

The Danville Braves open the 2009 regular season June 23 at Pulaski. The home opener is on tap for June 29 with a 7 p.m. first pitch against the Kingsport Mets. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Danville Braves magnet schedule on opening night. The first homestand also features a post-game fireworks show on July 3. For other information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com.

We hope to be covering some Danville Braves games LIVE! this year here at SouthsideCentral!