LONG BEACH (ESPN) - After a long journey, the Long Beach Lobsters have finally found a place they can call home.

The brand new Lobster Tank opened the first day of the 2008 season. The stadium, modeled after Busch Stadium in St Louis, is completely state of the art. The city of Long Beach has re-vitalized the entire downtown area with the stadium as the focal point. The team also has practice facilities and a new headquarters building in the shape of the famous pyrmaid on the campus of LBSU. The Tank is located on the shores overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Surrounding shops, food establishments, hotels,and entertainment outlets has made this the new Southern California tourist stop. The stadium is unique in that in time it can be configued in different "models" to keep up with the times and the team. Says owner Ken Paplanus "We have come home."

On the field the Lobsters were busy this off-season. They signed Lucious Harris to be their permanent manager in the wake of a very successful 81-81 2007 season. That may not seem like much, but the team set a record for most wins in a season, highest finish in the Weaver League, and it was a 41 game improvement from the 2006 season. "Harris has earned the right to manage this team." says new GM Bryon Russell.

Russell and VP Seth Greenberg were very busy in the off-season as well, making two controversial moves aimed to boster the rotation. Gone are CF Scott Schaffer and RF James Coleman and in are P Luis Andujar and P Ismael Valdes. "We hated to lose Schaffer and Coleman, but you have to give quality to get quality. Poor Schmidt cannot do it alone, and with Valdes and Andujar we have two winners to make a great 1-2-3 punch."

Russell was not done there.. dealing 9 picks to Capetown for super phenom Rf Donnavn Barnettt and P Frank Rodriquez. Says Russell, "There comes a time where you have to deal with the youth you have, let them grow, and compete. We stockpiled the team with everyday talent the last few seasons, drafted seven new arms last draft for the future of the rotation and pen, and have added some veteran talent to help balance the team. We will not be the Clippers.. draft young, develop, deal, get young, etc.. it is a never ending cycle."

Barnett will help off-set the bats of the two prospects dealt, and Rodriquez gives the team a quality arm. New hitting coach Chris Tower loves this lineup. Says Tower, "Our anchors are Stewart, O'Neal, Upshaw, Cardoza, and Mays. As they go so go our team. Another year of developemt for 1b Gomez, SS Monk, CF Sandavol, plus the developent of super prospect catcher Thomas and Rf Barnett, and the veteran pressence of C Martinez and Rf Juan Williams, can only lead to better things. This lineup has scary potential."

Pitching coach Juaquin Hawkins loves this re-vamped staff. "Schmidt is an All-Star in my opinion, and Valdes and Andujar are great to have behind him. Wagner will be our #4, and is due for a breakout season. New additions Manny Barrios as the closer and Frank Rodriquez, as well as the firepower of lefty Tim Gehrman, and the steady play of pitchers Martinez, Carpenter, Thomas, and Estes, give us the deepest rotation we have had ever. It also is one that will remain intact for the next five-six sesons, allowing those youngsters to grow into solid arms."

Though more changes took place than expected in the off-season, the Lobsters will not sway from the course. "We will not sacrifice tomorrow for today." However, there is a new attitude in Long Beach, one of excitement. "We will no longer accept losing as the norm... our city deserves better, and our fans deserve better." Says Russell." We will crawl before we walk, and walk before we run. Our goals are to improve step by step until we reach the ultimate prize. There still will be some growing pains. We are in this for the long haul, all I ask is patience. Long Beach has a Weaver team they can be proud of, one that will try everynight. We have an organization that will ensure to the best of our ability that the tools are there for Harris and his boys to have fun everynight and represent the city proud."

With a new stadium, new uniforms, new players, and new attitude.. watch out.. the Lobsters are defintiely on the rise... and Long Beach is indeed "on fire!!!"