Trich

Season one is in the books. Season two will turn the page and be even better.

That's what Prospect League team owners Leo Trich of the Butler BlueSox and Mike Bencic of the Slippery Rock Sliders believe.

"Everything will become easier from this point," Trich said. "You always have a learning curve during that first season. Now we've experienced a season and know what we have to work on."

The BlueSox averaged 642 fans a game at Pullman Park. Included in that average are three straight crowds of more than 900 during the final week of the season.

Butler sold out three home games — all on Saturday nights featuring fireworks.

"Our crowds increased as the year went on," Trich said. "That's very encouraging."

The Sliders experienced the same trend at Slippery Rock University's Critchfield Park. The team's overall home attendance average was nearly 350, but crowds exceeded 600 late in the season.

Bencic refuted rumors that the Sliders aren't returning next year.

"We've got a three-year lease with the ballpark, followed by a two-year option," Bencic said. "This is a business venture that extends far beyond one year."

Neither owner would confirm whether or not field managers Jason Wuerfel (BlueSox) and Chase Rowe (Sliders) will return next season.

"I want Jason and (pitching coach Glenn Sharrar) back, but we haven't sat down to discuss anything yet," Trich said.

After Saturday's season-ending 4-2 win over the Sliders, Wuerfel said that "I'd love to come back if circumstances permit. The support we received from Leo, the community and the fans has been fantastic."

Bencic said no decision on the Sliders' management team for 2010 has been reached.

"Meetings and discussions will determine all of that," he said.

Fans attending BlueSox games at Pullman Park in the past week were asked to fill out surveys about how the club can improve the fan experience next year.

Trich said the team needs to find ways to get advance ticket purchases into the hands of fans without long lines forming outside the park on game nights. A second concession area might be added next season as well.

"Our concession area can accommodate crowds of 300 or 400," Trich said. "When we got 700 to 1,000, it became a problem."

Bencic had the Sliders players fill out a survey about their experiences with the team. One of the questions was whether they would consider playing in Slippery Rock again next year."Every answer was affirmative except for one maybe," Bencic said. "I'm sure some of these players will be back. We have about eight who are (college) seniors this year and won't be eligible."Trich is hopeful a third of the BlueSox roster will return next summer."Some players will move on," he said. "Guys may get offers from the Cape Cod League or something like that," Trich said. "We're not going to hold anybody back."Both teams have plenty of Butler County residents interested in serving as host families for players next year. Trich anticipates rosters will be in place by Christmas."College coaches want to place players in summer programs during September and October so they can be done with it," he said. "We'll send out DVDs to coaches with footage from our games, the ballpark and fans."We're hopeful coaches will want their players involved in this type of atmosphere."Bencic said the Prospect League has received nine applications for new franchises next year. One franchise bidder — DeKalb, Ill. — already has put up the money for the club."We'll have at least 12 teams next year, maybe 14," Bencic said. "We definitely want to balance the divisions."The league had 11 teams this season, only five in the East Division.

Bencic