Connor Coward just wants to have fun playing baseball again.

His Butler BlueSox teammates hope to join him.

Coward, a Seneca Valley graduate and Virginia Tech sophomore pitcher, will take the mound at 6:35 p.m. Thursday for the BlueSox’ 2016 season opener against the West Virginia Miners at Kelly Automotive Park.

“We worked hard to get Connor back here,” second-year BlueSox manager Jason Radwan said. “We really wanted him back.

“He did a great job for us last year and I’m giving him the ball on opening night.”

Coward was one of four pitchers to hurl more than 50 innings for the BlueSox last summer. He tallied 45 strikeouts and a 2.84 earned run average. But he’s coming off a rough spring at Virginia Tech.

In 30 innings pitched, Coward was 1-1 with a 7.42 earned run average. He made 17 appearances, had three starts and registered one save.

The Hokies finished the year at 19-36.

“Right off the bat, we lost our set-up man and closer for the year,” Coward said. “Nobody on the staff had any kind of defined role all spring as a result. That wasn’t by design.

“I started off as first man out of the bullpen. Then I closed games for a while. Then I started a few games ... then back to the bullpen. No pitcher likes to be in that type of situation and we pretty much all were.”

That won’t be the case with the BlueSox. Coward is a definite starting pitcher.

“They did a great job of defining roles for the pitchers last year,” Coward said of the BlueSox. “Our bullpen wound up being one of the best in the Prospect League.

“I’ll get eight or nine starts this summer and I’m looking forward to it. The atmosphere at those games, the crowds at Kelly Automotive Park, the excitement and quality of baseball — it’s why I’m coming back. I’ve never enjoyed playing baseball more in my life than with that team and in that park.”

Who will be taking the field with Coward Thursday night might be interesting. The Prospect League is beginning the season a week earlier than usual — to work more days off into the schedule — and that has wreaked havoc on the roster.

“I can understand the concept of more off days, but most Division I teams are just beginning their tournaments now,” Radwan said. “We won’t have 16 guys on our regular roster available for at least a week.

“We’ve signed a few temp players and we’ll pick up a few more, but we’ll be playing shorthanded for a while. This first week will be a challenge.”

The BlueSox play their first four games at home. Eight of their first 10 contests will be at Kelly Automotive Park.

Sunday home games will feature throw-back uniforms to the days of the Butler Yankees. Sumo wrestlers will be a nightly part of the between-inning entertainment this season.

The BlueSox finished 33-27 in Radwan’s debut year as manager last summer.

“I like the roster (Director of Player Personnel) Anthony Rebyanski and I have assembled,” Radwan said. “We should be very competitive on the field.”

Highlighting that roster is Morehead State outfielder Will Schneider, who hit .353 with 10 homers and 57 RBI this spring. Three players from Slippery Rock University are on the squad — pitcher Shawn Holman (2-4, 4.80 ERA), infielders Preston Falascino (.250 5 HR-15 RBI) and Mitchell Wood (.277 2-12).

Players already signed to temporary contracts are Dillon Sunnafrank, a pitcher-outfielder from Wheeling Jesuit, Joey Luciana, an outfielder from Geneva College and Robby Jullian, a pitcher from Allegheny College.

The BlueSox are beginning their eighth season in the Prospect League. Radwan is in his sixth year with the organization — two as a player, two as a hitting coach and now two as a manager.

“I know how the league operates and how to get ready for a season,” Radwan said. “I’m much more relaxed going into this year. I feel like we’re ahead of the game now.”