Armed with a handful of returning players, some up-and-coming newbies, and a couple of stars who just may leave for the Major Leagues, the Wareham Gatemen are equipped for another exciting season of Cape Cod Baseball League play... as soon as everyone gets here.

The problem with attracting talented players is they're busy with their respective schools in the beginning of the Gatemen season — during College World Series gameplay.

Just last Sunday, future Gatemen catcher Ty Ross from Lousiana State University hit the tying run in the 9th inning against Oregon State, paving the way for a 6-5 LSU win, which put the school in the super regionals for the series.

The Gatemen have a preseason game in Rhode Island on Friday, June 18, against the Newport Gulls. The game will air live on WCTV (Comcast channel 97, Verizon channel 28) at 6:30 p.m.

Gatemen President/General Manager Tom Gay joked: "We're hoping to get 10 players!"

Head Coach Cooper Farris noted: "Every year is like the revolving door" as the team waits for its players to arrive.

Eight of the 11 Gatemen pitchers are on teams that are playing in the best-of-three super regional games that begin this weekend.

"We just don't have the arms [right now]," said Farris, referring to the team's pitchers.

Though progressing in the College World Series could further delay some players, most of the players will be in town soon.

The Gatemen home opener is scheduled for Thursday, June 14.

"The big thing is just getting everybody here and developing some continuity," said Farris. "We just want to get them all in and get into a routine. I think once that happens we'll be in good shape."

Back in Wareham for 2012 are pitchers Barrett Astin, Dillon Newman, and Konner Wade; catcher Ty Ross; shortstop Mott Hyde, first baseman Daniel Palka, and infielder/outfielder Johnny Field.

Two returning players — pitchers Bobby Brosnahan and Luke Farrell — are non-roster, or temporary player, as they'll likely be drafted into the majors, said Gay.

"The returning players make a big difference," Gay noted. "They can help the new guys understand that [the Cape Cod League] is not like when you're playing college ball, when you play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here, you play every night."

The roster also features three local players — Pitcher Sean Newcomb of Middleboro, who attends the University of Hartford; third baseman Tyler Horan of Middleboro, who attends Virginia Tech; Matthew Walsh of Plymouth, who attends Franklin Pierce.

"This is a very, very good group," Gay said of the team. "We look like we have a very strong roster, well-balanced between pitching and hitting. We're looking forward to a good season."

The home opener begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, at Spillane Field, located behind the Town Hall parking lot off of Marion Road, next to Wareham Middle School. The Gatemen will take on the Chatham Anglers.

Season-opening festivities will take place on Friday, June 15, when the Gatemen take on the Brewster Whitecaps at home at 7 p.m. Onset pop/jazz singer Linda Calise will sing the National Anthem. State Senator Marc Pacheco and town officials have been invited to the game.

For a full Wareham Gatemen schedule, visit www.gatemen.org.

Can't get enough of the Gatemen? Check out WCTV's new show, "Wareham Gatemen - Around the Horn" for interviews with coaches and players and behind-the-scenes footage. Visit www.warehamtv.org for a schedule of air-dates and video of past shows. WCTV will also air Gatemen games live throughout the season.