ASHEBORO — A large roster could bring big things for the Asheboro ZooKeepers.
“It’s always good to have too many than not enough,” said Mark Weidemaier, the team’s first-year manager.
In-season player attrition has been a hot topic in recent seasons for the ZooKeepers, who play in the Coastal Plain League. Weidemaier said some players who’ll suit up this summer are on board with the expectation that they might be half-season guys.
For now, the dugout looks plenty full.
“I think we’re going to have a competitive team,” Weidemaier said. “I think we’ve got enough pitching. We’ve still got a couple of guys I’m counting on who aren’t here yet.”
Weidemaier lives in Liberty and he has had a variety of roles with collegiate level and professional teams, including several international assignments. Most recently, Weidermaier spent two seasons with the Bismark Larks of the Northwoods League, which is a collegiate summer league. His 2025 team had an 18-54 record.
“All in all, I’m excited to be here. I love the game. I’ve been in it for my whole life,” Weidemaier said. “Last year I was a little far from home in North Dakota. It’s nice to be able to manage the team and be close to home.”
Asheboro won 11-1 in its CPL opener last Thursday against the host Boone Bigfoots.
The next night in the home opener at McCrary Park, Daniel Stephens belted a three-run home run in Asheboro’s 7-5 victory against the Forest City Owls. Ben Shepherd pitched five scoreless innings before Forest City posted a five-run seventh inning to tighten the margin.
Saturday’s scheduled game against the Florence Flamingos in South Carolina, was nixed because of the weather.
Earlier last week, the ZooKeepers topped Randolph County Post 45 by 15-1 in an exhibition matchup between McCrary Park’s two summer tenants.
