Off the field I thought we had a phenomenal year. With the rainy weather we had early and the struggles we had late, the fans really stuck with us. From season tickets to picnics to renting the Bat Cave to sponsorships, it was a great year.

I honestly don't think I'd want anybody else as manager. Heck, he was basically a coach when he was a player here. The fans love him. The other teams' coaches and players respect him. He was our focus once it was clear and understandable why Jim couldn't commit to coming back.

I think, if anything, we learned you've got to recruit carefully. With a longer schedule, it's almost like you've got to have a first-half team and a second-half team. Those four inactive spots on your roster become pretty valuable. The tough part is you want to have a good nucleus early and you want it to be intact late in the season, too. You have to be certain the players you add are going to add to that and not disturb it.

I think those three (concerns) are right on. It was a tough year on the field. We've never experienced anything like that. On the bright side, we made the playoffs and came within that third game of going to the championship series. I think, considering some of what we went through, that's saying something.

We tested here three weeks ago and it was dry and sunny, about 85-degrees. The weather is supposed to clear up for tomorrow so we can put the setup on the car that we tested with. If it is wet or changing conditions we are ready for that as well. If it rains, starting from the pole will definitely be an advantage.

We really have the best of both worlds, enjoying a great ski season with mild weather down here in Denver.