Former Xavier prep Charlie Bales finding his place with the Cedar Rapids Rampage

CEDAR RAPIDS – The last Cedar Rapids Rampage home game of the season was particularly significant to one member of the team.

Rampage defender Charlie Bales is a hometown product, a member of Cedar Rapids Xavier's 2010 state championship team who cut his teeth on indoor soccer at the old Sport Zone in Hiawatha.

His return to the indoor game as a professional playing for his home city has been an unforgettable experience.

'It was great to come back,' Bales said after the Rampage fell to the St. Louis Ambush, 10-7, in front of 3,640 fans Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Center. 'It was just something special to come back and have my friends and family see me play since my playing days at Xavier. It just meant the world to me to come out here and especially see the support and everyone chanting my name.'

Saturday's crowd was the largest regular-season crowd of the season, which included an estimated 65 members of the 'Charlie Bales Fan Club.'

'I think I saw a 'Charlie Bales for President' sign somewhere in here,' Bales said with a laugh. 'We'll have to see how that goes.'

Bales' contributions do not pepper the box score – he has just two goals and two assists in 14 games. Where the 5-foot-8, 170-pound stalwart makes his hay is on the defensive end, where he utilizes his stocky frame to shield attackers from the ball. Bales is tied for sixth on the team with 12 blocks. As early as training camp, Bales was one rookie who quickly caught the eye of Rampage Coach Jeff Kraft.

'To me, if I had to give rookie of the year on our team it would be Charlie,' Kraft said. 'Just learning the game, taking initiative to learn, taking initiative to listen. If you criticize him, he takes criticism well. He wants to learn.'

Following his time at Xavier, Bales played collegiately at Western Illinois, where he was twice selected as the Summit League defensive player of the year. During summers out of school, Bales trekked to Des Moines to play for the Des Moines Menace, an outdoor team in the Premier Development League.

'I remember in preseason I didn't even know the rules of indoor soccer,' Bales said. 'I think I've come a long way.'

The loss sends the Rampage (3-13) into a tie for last place in the Central Division with St. Louis. Cedar Rapids will finish the regular-season schedule with four road games beginning with a Feb. 20 rematch at St. Louis.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com