Spring is always the time when optimism reigns for baseball teams, and that's no different for the Lancaster Barnstormers and their fans.

A new season, new manager and a bunch of new players have created excitement for the 2008 campaign, which starts tonight when the 'Stormers host the Bridgeport Bluefish at 7:05 in Clipper Magazine Stadium.

But this is not false hope. The Barnstormers are not going to be the Pittsburgh Pirates of the Atlantic League. And the excitement is not just about trying to forget how bad things went for the 'Stormers last season. They are not just saying that they will be better than last year, although they couldn't be much worse.

The manager, players and fans believe this team will be good, will compete for the top spot in their division, something the 2007 team did not do in either half.

"I think we look better than the '06 (championship) team, but you never know until you take the field," said pitcher Eric Ackerman, who is starting his third season with Lancaster. "But we're definitely leaps and bounds better than last year. I just like how we're starting off. It's real promising."

"On paper, I think this looks like one of the better squads that Lancaster has fielded," said outfielder Jutt Hileman, one of three players still with the team since their first season. "We've got some hitters. We definitely won't have a problem scoring runs. And the pitching staff looks good."

"I think the team's ready," said new manager Von Hayes. "I think we're going to have a nice balanced lineup. I think our defense is going to be real good. We've got strong people up the middle. We've got a real good first baseman. We've got a third baseman that can handle balls. I think we're going to have one of the best outfields in the league and we've got two good catchers behind the plate, so I think that's something we've really improved on. And I think our pitching's going to work out."

This is Hayes' team. He has put his stamp on it, bringing in many players who previously played for or against him when he managed in the Oakland Athletics organization. And he expects his team to play hard — giving 100 percent all of the time.

"He just expects more out of us and guys are going to have to do it," said catcher Lance Burkhart. "That's good. I expect it out of myself, and if you don't expect that out of yourself as a player, then something's wrong. If you can't come here and work hard everyday, then something's wrong. You need to give your best effort; that's expected. You're getting paid to play, make sure you're doing your job."

Hayes was not pleased initially with the effort of some in spring training.

"Overall play the first day or two was not up to my expectations," he said. "I think the last couple days, it picked up to a much more pleasing level. And it's something that we expect once the season starts."

Dominick Ambrosini, the team's leading hitter last season with a .316 average, was cut by the Stormers on Tuesday. Cut in part because of his 1-for-16 batting in spring training and in part because of his lack of effort in Florida.

Although Hayes said he was not singling out Ambrosini specifically, the other players got the message.

"That's what a manager should ask from a team," said Ackerman. "Guys on the team see that and respect that. I don't think there's any room in baseball for a lax effort. Fans are going to see a team playing hard every inning."

"He'll like you if you play hard for him," Hileman said. "He likes effort. As long as you put in the effort there, I don't think we'll have any problems with him."

"He's a GI guy," said infielder Danny Gonzalez. "He's an old-school type of manager. He wants us to get ready to go and play hard for him."

With attitude, work ethic and talent in place, it looks like 2008 could be a successful season for the Barnstormers.

"The team looks good," Burkhart said. "I'm excited. I think everyone's excited."

E-mail: bwilson@lnpnews.com