BUTLER TWP — Baseball season is a few months away, but the Butler BlueSox got off to an early start Tuesday night at Clearview Mall.

Ten members of the 2010 BlueSox appeared there for a meet-and-greet with fans and the community.

"We like to take advantage of the Christmas break, when most of these players are home. And we like to get people thinking about baseball," BlueSox general manager Leo Trich said.

Six members of the 2010 BlueSox have direct ties to Butler County. They include Butler graduate Brian Warheit and Mars graduate D.J. Cannon, both pitchers at Seton Hill University.

Three Seneca Valley graduates are on the roster: Point Park pitcher Derek Peluso, Pitt catcher Kevan Smith and Panthers outfielder Zach Duggan.

Slippery Rock University infielder Adam Jury, who hit .395 with 41 RBI for The Rock last spring, also is on the Butler roster.

"To put local players on the team just because they're from around here would be a disservice to the fans and our organization," Trich said. "We owe it to both to put the best team on the field we can.

"All of these guys are legitimate high-caliber ballplayers who can help us win," he added.

Warheit and Peluso are the only returning BlueSox players.

Warheit was 4-2 with a 5.18 earned run average in 12 games, including six starts, for Seton Hill last spring. With the BlueSox, those numbers improved to 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 63 innings.

"Pitching at Pullman Park is tailor-made for me," Warheit said. "I'm a groundball pitcher and that's a big park with a turf infield. There are no bad bounces."

Warheit talked teammate Cannon into giving the BlueSox a try. Cannon was 3-2 with a 2.82 ERA at Seton Hill. He started four games, completing two of them, and compiled four saves.

The BlueSox finished 28-26 last year, three games out of first place in the East Division.

"We made the (Division II) playoffs at Seton Hill, but were two and done," Warheit said. "We're hoping to get farther this spring and I'm hoping to win our division with the BlueSox next summer."

Peluso pitched for a Point Park team that was 13-33 last spring. He still managed a 2-3 record with a 3.20 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 25 innings.

He made 12 appearances with the BlueSox and recorded one save after joining the team late.

"I wasn't on the original roster, but they had a pitching spot open up early in the season and gave me a call," Peluso said. "I relished that opportunity.

"Going from facing NAIA hitters in the spring to NCAA Division I and II hitters in the summer was quite a jump. I know I benefited from that."

Peluso will be the closer on Point Park's staff this spring.

The Prospect League's 2010 schedule is expected to be released in about two weeks. Nashville, Tenn., might become the 15th team in the circuit.