The Capital City Canes have been one of the most active teams in acquiring new players to be a top contender in 2009. The Canes have added many new sticks to their line-up. Nick Panza and Kyle Babie have moved over from the Twilight League to the MSBL. Babie, Panza, LeMorta and Hoffman all played together at St. Rose. Panza was a NE-10 All-American. Panza and Babie dominated the Albany Twilight league as a member of the Albany Senators. The Canes have also added a solid every day catcher and huge stick to the line-up, BJ Roberts has made the choice to play for his 3rd team since the NABA originated. The addition of Roberts has motivated the Canes pitching staff as well, knowing that they will have an experienced, smart catcher calling pitches in 2009. The final addition to the Canes line-up is new come RJ Laurin. RJ swings a solid stick and looks to be a solid utility player for the Canes in 2009. With these additions to join the likes of Kean, Hoffman, LeMorta, Solomon and Cornell the Canes line-up will be a force to be recon with in 2009.

Since joining the NABA in 2004 the Canes achilles heal has always been lack of depth in their pitching staff. The Canes have made many moves to give arms like Travis, Morrison, and Cornell so much needed rest in 2009, so they are 100% healthy in the post-season. The Canes have added Jimmy Amend to full time status in 2009. Amend joined the Canes about 1/2 way through the season in 2008 and put up great numbers starting 4 games, with 2 W's, 13 K's, and a stellar 2.13 ERA. The Canes have also added Chris Yager and Matt Radewitz, 2 former aces in the past. Yager's addition to the Canes is a big one because since 2004 the Canes have never beat Yager. Radweitz will be pitching on part time basis throughout the beginning of the season because he will be finishing up the NYS Trooper Academy. Radewitz took 2008 off but looks to come back and represent the Canes in 2009 hopefully returning to his Cy young status from 2003. The last but certainly not least addition to the Canes already deep staff is Nate Novack. Novack is the all time wins leader at HVCC going 16-2 in 2 years with a sub 1 ERA. Novack, Yager, and Travis will compete for the Ace of the rotation and opening season starter in 2009.

Although the Canes have made many additons to the roster which looks to give Manager LeMorta many options with the starting 9, they will be losing 2 key players in 2009. Jesse Kean will be taking 2009 off. Kean worked his way into the line-up in 2008 with a stellar eye at the plate, with 11 walks in 35 plate apperences and walked 5 straight at bats in 2 consecutive games seeing a total of 4 strikes. Kean will be getting married in May and has a little Cane on the way. The Canes wish Kean the best of luck this year and hope to have hiim back in 2010.The second big loss to the Canes is CF and lead off hitter Chris Stack. Stack has been the Canes full time CF and lead off hitter since joining the team 3 years ago. Stack has hands down the biggest heart in the NABA, which is obvious the way he runs the bases, and chases down fly balls in the outfeld and his leadership on and off the field. Stack was a leader in the Canes dugout and on the field and will be tough to replace. Stack lead the NABA in steals in 2008 and is a 2 time All-star as a Cane. Stack has to take 2009 off to concentrate on his career and rest his arm for the future. Stack may make a come back in 2009 and will always be welcome to play for the Canes. The Canes wish Stack all the best and hope to see him back roaming the OF and stealing bases if not in 2009 definatly in 2010.