After a contest finished in February, the North Coast Knights became the Lorain County Ironmen.

Ironmen co-owners, Kevin Rhomberg and Bob Schenosky, wanted to change the name of their team to reflect the city it plays in.

But that is just the beginning of the local reflections.

Even outside of Rhomberg and assistant coach Joe Charboneau, both former Indians players, there is no shortage of area connections.

The last time J.T. Feldkamp was at the Pipe Yard, the Admiral King graduate was named Lorain County’s Mr. Baseball.

Now Feldkamp returns as a player for the Ironmen in the Prospect League, a summer league for college players with at least one of year of eligibility in college left. Fellow Admiral King graduate Matthew Toth will also play in the outfield.

“I’m happy to be back home,” Feldkamp said. “My family doesn’t get to see me play much, so they will get to see me a lot more now.”

Feldkamp just finished his junior season at Ohio Dominican and hit .322 this season with 12 doubles and 35 RBI in 46 games.

As the team’s starting catcher his sophomore year, Feldkamp hit .316 with 43 hits, six home runs and 26 RBI.

“I think this is a great opportunity,” Feldkamp said. “Not everybody gets to be in a big league this. I’m excited about that.”

Outfielder Evan Melendez, an Amherst graduate, returns as one of the team’s leading batters. His .328 average was fourth-best in the league last year.

At Ashland University this year, Melendez batted .372 and scored 58 runs in 57 games.

Pitcher Phil Brua (Avon) and his teammate at Oberlin College, catcher Brandon Cantrill (Western Reserve), are good friends and look forward to continue playing together.

“I feel like it’s going to be a lot of fun this summer with all the local guys,” Brua said. “It’s an all-day, every-day thing, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Managing the Ironmen this season will be Eric Cormell, the hitting instructor and first base coach at Oberlin College.

Nick Hamilton (Avon Lake), son of Indians’ radio announcer Tom Hamilton will play third base. Hamilton plays collegiately at Kent State University.

Westlake graduate James DiBiasio (Ohio Wesleyan), nephew of Indians’ Vice President of Public Relations Bob DiBiasio, will be playing in the infield this season.

Also, Austin Ingraham (St. Bonaventure), son of Indians beat writer Jim Ingraham, is on the roster as a first baseman.

The Prospect League is one of several summer leagues in the county and has sent over 175 players to the Majors.

The season opener for the Ironmen will be on the road against the Butler (Pa.) Bluesox on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. Opening Day will be against the Chillicothe Paints on Friday at the same time.

Len Barker, who threw a perfect game for the Indians in 1981, will throw out the first pitch.