Battle Creek Battle Jacks excited for Opening Day with a new 'stacked' roster for 2024

BATTLE CREEK - As the Battle Creek Battle Jacks look down I-94 at their rivals, they have tried to figure out the secret to Kalamazoo's recent success.

And, they just might have cracked the code.

One of the assistant coaches on the Growlers staff was seemingly one of the keys to bringing in winning talent to the Kalamazoo Growlers.

Now, that assistant coach Ben Harley will be starting his first season as a head coach with the Battle Jacks as the Northwoods League franchise begins its season on Memorial Day.

Battle Creek will open the 2024 summer season at MCCU Field at C.O. Brown Stadium with a home game against the Traverse City Spitters at 6:35 p.m. on Monday.

"We are looking to bring in good talent this year," said Battle Jacks General Manager Denny Smith. "We are excited about Ben Harley coming in. We think he was kind of the dark horse when it came to recruiting with the Growlers. He has brought in some really good talent for us. Our roster is stacked this year."

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Harley comes to Battle Creek after being the pitching coach for two seasons in Kalamazoo. With the Growlers, Harley helped the summer collegiate league team in Kalamazoo to a Northwoods League championship in 2022 and then to a franchise-record win total in 2023.

Harley thinks he can have the same success in Battle Creek.

"Excited to be coming to Battle Creek and excited for the challenge," Harley said. "On paper, I love our roster. Recruiting is the fun part of the game for me. I have always enjoyed that part of it. When you get the right fit for a player in a program, that is great to see.

"My goal with this team was to get as experienced as players as possible, regardless of what level. I have been able to do that and I like what we have."

Some key players for Battle Jacks fans to look for early include catcher Carson Ohland, from the University of Washington, as well as pitcher Tanner Douglas from the University of Portland. The Battle Jacks roster also includes players from Big Ten programs, including Michael Addari and Robert Klann of Michigan State University, and athletes from some in-state schools, such as Jacob Davis (Kalamazoo College), Connor Foley (Davenport University), Sam Griffith (Oakland University), Ethan Henry (Oakland University), Carson Smith (Oakland University) and Spencer Verburg (Central Michigan University).

The Battle Jacks were last in the Great Lakes East Division a year ago at 26-46 overall. But, according to Smith, the play on the field is only half of the Battle Creek baseball experience.

"The team didn't have the best season last year, on the field, obviously. But, off the field, it was one of our best years ever. Attendance was up," Smith said. "We are super excited about building off of what we did last season.

"We care about the fan experience, and the show. Whether someone in the stands hates baseball or loves baseball, we want them to have a good time. If we do our job, they may walk away not even knowing if the team won or loss, the fan experience would be so good. So we focus on that kind of stuff, fan interaction."

Along those lines, Smith is excited about the in-game promotions the Jacks have scheduled this year, with that information available on the team website. He is also eager to show off a new team store which has been expanded and will include more Battle Jacks gear for sale.

All of the preparations for the upcoming season are being done to become one of the best franchises in the Northwoods League, especially compared to their friendly rivals in Kalamazoo.

"I think my experience in Kalamazoo will help a lot. Seeing the culture and the expectations in Kalamazoo, the day-in and day-out of what a winning program looks like in this league," Harley said. "I think that really can help create a winning culture and that is what we want to do here in Battle Creek."

Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Battle Jacks set to open 2024 Northwoods League season