Jason Ritter will be the most experienced player returning this year. Ritter started as an outfielder and pitcher last year. He will be counted on heavily as the only senior to provide leadership. Ritter has made a verbal commitment to USC-Salkehatchie where he will join their pitching staff. Prior to that, Ritter will lead an inexperienced but talented NMB pitching staff. Ritter will be joined by talented sophomore Billy Ferguson and juniors Dedrick Searcy and Stephen Butler. Ferguson has great stuff and the ability to be an outstanding pitcher if he can develop consistency. Searcy is a transfer from Loris and is a tremendous athlete who will give the Chiefs depth on the mound. Butler is a competitor who has worked hard and looks like he is ready to contribute as a pitcher this year.

The battery mate for the pitching staff will be a youngster. Eighth grader Lukas Ray appears to be the front runner with freshman Cody Gause close behind. The Chiefs will most likely go with a young catcher to avoid a complete shakeup of the infield. Ray is an excellent receiver with a quick release. He is going to be an excellent player but will be tested often because of his youth. Gause has a great swing and will challenge Ray for playing time if he improves defensively.

Ritter will move to first base when he is not pitching. Eighth grader Will Hardwick and Junior Stephen Butler could see playing time at first base when Ritter pitches. All three are capable defenders and will be counted on to produce offensively. The middle infielders are solid with Bill Seddinger and Billy Ferguson manning the positions. Both were part time starters as freshmen last year and they are very good defensively and will both hit high in the order. Dedrick Searcy will see time as a middle infielder and will compete for one of the spots. Hardwick could also see time in the middle of the diamond. Third base could go to sophomore Lawrence Long or possibly to Hardwick. One of the two will need to seize control of the position. Dedrick Searcy and Stephen Butler should anchor the outfield with their speed and athleticism. Both are talented and will need to provide stability to a group of inexperienced teammates. Junior Trenton Smith, sophomores Nathaniel Suggs and Hunter Hamvas and freshmen Lake Thompson and Jacob Martin will provide depth in the outfield.

Offensively the Chiefs will rely heavily on Dedrick Searcy to set the table and the bats of Billy Ferguson and Jason Ritter to drive in runs. Bill Seddinger has improved tremendously at the plate and Stephen Butler has the ability to be a big contributor as a hitter. Ray and Hardwick will be good hitters but may struggle early as they make the big jump to varsity. Lawrence Long has looked good in the preseason and could be a pleasant surprise at the plate.

The 2010 version of the North Myrtle Beach Chiefs will be talented but inexperienced. Early growing pains will hopefully ripen into success as the season progresses. The Chiefs are working hard to return to the playoffs in 2010 and build for what looks like a bright future.