Capahas launch championship quest at NBC World Series

The Plaza Tire Capahas will carry plenty of momentum into their 29th consecutive National Baseball Congress World Series appearance.

Manager Jess Bolen's squad opens the 76th annual double-elimination event in Wichita, Kan., today at 5 p.m. against the perennially strong Seattle Studs. The 32-team tournament began Friday and concludes Aug. 13.

The Capahas are coming off a dominant performance during last week's Union Printers tournament in Daytona Beach, Fla. They outscored their four opponents 51-4 in capturing the title of the four-team event.

"As long as we're not worn out from all the driving, I think it's got to help us," said Bolen, who has a 1,383-370 record in his 44th season at the helm of the Capahas. "Not only did we play really good baseball, but it should keep us sharp with our hitting.

"Most of the time we go to Wichita and we haven't played any games for a while, which can make you rusty. I think it's a lot better to have played some."

The Capahas' Daryl Graham, left, and Sean Bard congratulate each other after scoring during a victory in June against the Springfield Spikes at Capaha Field. The Capahas have a 25-10 record as they open play today at the NBC World Series in Wichita, Kan. (Kristin Eberts)

The Capahas have won five straight overall and take a 25-10 record into the World Series.

"We've been playing well, and hopefully we can keep that up," Bolen said.

Anthony Maupin, who has been the Capahas' ace for several years since finishing up a strong career at Southeast Missouri State, will get the start today.

"Anthony really knows how to pitch. He doesn't walk many people," Bolen said. "You always feel really good when Anthony's on the mound."

Bolen said Brad LaBruyere likely will pitch the Capahas' second World Series game, which would be Thursday if they win today or Wednesday if they lose today. The Capahas are paired with the winner/loser of the Columbia (Texas) Angels and the San Diego Stars.

The Capahas Anthony Maupin pitches in the third inning against the Valmeyer Lakers Friday, June 4, 2010 at Capaha Field. (Laura Simon)

The Capahas will try to make up for last year's disappointing tournament showing that saw them go 0-2.

"It had been a long time since we went out there and lost our first two games," Bolen said. "You never want that to happen."

Bolen knows how unpredictable things can be during the tournament that features many of the nation's premier amateur players, some of whom eventually will end up as major leaguers, along with some former professionals.

"I've taken teams there that I thought were really good and had a chance to do well and we lost our first two games," Bolen said. "I've taken teams out there that I didn't expect much from and ended up doing really well.

"You just never know how you're going to do. Every team you play is going to be good and anything can happen. The talent out there is so good. You're talking about some of the top collegiate players in the country and also ex-pros."

Bolen expects the Capahas to have their hands full today against the Seattle Studs, who are 36-4 and generally rank among the better squads in Wichita.

Last year the Studs went 43-8 and were ninth at the World Series. They have a high finish of fourth in 2005.

"They're a powerhouse, always a bunch of very good hitters, but we always play somebody really strong out there," Bolen said. "I expect a very tough game. But pretty much every game you play out there is going to be tough. Pretty much everybody out there has won a championship of some kind."