Their home field is in the midst of a major renovation, their current roster may be affected by the MLB draft, injuries or other factors and opening night is still more than five months away.

Yet there's a sense of anticipation and excitement in Dan Segel's voice as the president and general manager of the Corvallis Knights looks ahead to the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League franchise's inaugural season at Goss Stadium.

"Things are going really well, we're feeling pretty good" about the feedback he has received since the Nov. 17 announcement of the team's relocation from Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Segel said Tuesday in a telephone interview.

"Everyone seems excited about baseball in Corvallis in the summer, especially since it will be the caliber of the Oregon State team," the 2006 NCAA champion.

Most of the action now is behind the scenes. Riverside (Calif.) Community College associate head coach Andy Rojo was named manager on Dec. 7, the same day Matt Dorey of Washington State and Dennis Rogers of RCC were hired as assistant coach and roving instructor, respectively.

Several recent signings have essentially filled the 2007 roster. It's expected to feature shortstop Brett Morel of Cal Poly, the team's 2006 MVP; pitcher Blake Keitzman, catcher Erik Ammon and infielder Brett Casey of Oregon State; outfielder Billy Clontz, a Corvallis High graduate, and infielder/pitcher Jordan Post, the younger brother of ex-Beavers pitching star Jeff Post.

Season-ticket sales are underway (www.corvallisknights.com/givesummerfun/), and Segel hopes to announce a radio agreement for all 54 games and the formation of a local advisory board by the end of the month.

"The radio deal will be an exciting piece of this whole thing," Segel said. "The advisory board will help us set the direction for the future and be a sounding board and a think-tank for ideas."

Former Beavers Scott Sanders and John Schultz are probable members, as is former Chamber of Commerce director Mike Corwin, the assistant vice-president for corporate development at the OSU Federal Credit Union.

"They have a lot of energy and their feedback has been good," Segel said.

Segel is hopeful the Knights can average between 250 and 750 fans for their 24 home games, which would be a substantial increase from the 2006 season at Mr. Hood, when they averaged a league-low 84 fans per game.

"That's a huge range," Segel acknowledged. "I want expectations to be high, but this is our first year."

For more information, see www.corvallisknights.com, or www.wccbl.com.