By Steve Sitter
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The 2017 Palm Springs POWER are a team that this organization, and the players themselves, will be talking about for years to come. After capping off a truly historic run with the team’s eighth SCCBL Championship victory in fourteen years, this year’s team broke six individual franchise records and five team records. Here’s a look at the old and new records:
1)Â Career batting average:
old record -    .392, Hank Yates (’12)
new record -    .413, Cody Ducote (’16-’17)
2)Â Single season batting average:
old record –    .424, Ryan Jones (’11)
new record -   .438, Cody Ducote (’17), .432, Taylor Grace (’17)
3)Â Career home runs:
old record -    10, Ryan Jones (’11-’13)
new record -    14, Ryan Mota (’16-’17)
4)Â Single season home runs:
old record -    6, Ryan Jones (’13)
new record -    13, Ryan Mota (’17), 6, Taylor Grace (’17)
5)Â Career doubles:
old record -    24, Jake Howeth (’13-’14)
new record -    31, John Mauldin (’16-‘17)
6)Â Single season runs scored:
old record -    49, Ryan Raslowsky (’13)
new record -    50, John Mauldin (’17)
7)Â Team batting average:
old record -    .333, (’06)
new record -    .373, (’17)
8)Â Team on-base percentage:
old record -    .425, (’11)
new record -    .459, (’17)
9)Â Team slugging percentage:
old record -    .442, (’06)
new record -    .585, (’17)
10) Team home runs:
old record -    15, (’06, ’13)
new record -    46, (’17)
11) Team win percentage:
old record -    .911, (’11)
new record -    .921, (’17)
Not only did the team make a lasting impression on the baseball community as a whole, but they also had an impact on each other. Taylor Grace (Michigan State), when asked about the 2017 POWER, said, “This was the best team that I have ever played with. Everyone on the team just bonded great. I feel that this is what took us to being the best team to ever wear the uniform… [What] also helped was having a team that even if [I had a] good or bad day, they were there to pick me up which allowed me to play more relaxed and just enjoy the game we all love.â€Â Regarding the similar numbers he and Cody Ducote (University of New Orleans) were putting up, Grace added, “He and I would battle at anything we did. We always had that friendly rivalry going on, [and] we always told each other whatever you do today, I’m doing the same.â€
The POWER ended their season by winning their eighth SCCBL Championship since its creation in 2004 and are slated to have a large number of returning players for 2018. Season tickets can be purchased at (760) 778-4487.
