Hollod to return as Stingers’ manager of Stingers

From the West Central Tribune
WILLMAR — Following a successful inaugural campaign in the Northwoods League, the Willmar Stingers will be bringing back manager Matt Hollod for another season, the team announced on Wednesday.

Hollod, currently is an assistant coach at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Southern Utah University, Willamette University (Salem, Ore.), and the University of Portland.

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Delaney Makes the Bigs

From the NECBL
Congratulations to Rob Delaney for being the first former Vermont Mountaineer to make the Major Leagues. Rob was called up to the Minnesota Twins on September 3, 2010 for the play-off run. Rob pitched for the Mountaineers in 2005 and led them to their first Championship Series. Last winter Rob was the first winner of the the annual Robin Roberts Award given out to the Vermont Mountaineers player making great strides in professional baseball.

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Hayes Back to Coach Owls in 2011

From the Coastal Plain League
Coastal Plain League Coach of the Year, Matt Hayes (photo courtesy of Pat Grecinger) has signed on to coach the Forest City Owls in 2011.

In 2010, Coach Hayes led the Owls to their second straight Petitt Cup championship. The Owls finished with a 43-21 record, including a 6-2 mark in the Petitt Cup Playoffs.

For the third straight year, Hayes guided Forest City to the West Division first half championship with a 19-9 record. The Owls tied Gastonia with an 18-10 record in the West Division second half, but due to the Grizzlies holding the tie-breaker, Forest City finished second.

The Owls finished the 2010 season ranked 4th in the country by PG Crosschecker. The 2009 Owls finished the season as the top-ranked team in the country after compiling a 51-9 record.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Matt back in 2011″, said Forest City Owls Managing Partner, Jesse Cole. “He has proved to be one of the best coaches in all of college summer baseball and continues to bring in not only great players but great people into the Forest City community”.

Said Hayes, “I’m happy to be back and look forward to a great summer in 2011″.

Hayes was named the head coach for the 2010 National CPL All-Stars and had seven Owls players (Danny Canela, Reid Harper, Will Skinner, Tarran Senay, Konstatine Diamaduros, Nate Hyatt and Chase Boruff) join him as All-Stars as well.

There were several key returners for Hayes in 2010, but perhaps none as noteworthy as Skinner, who set the single-season record for the doubles in 2009 with 21. In 2010, he broke that record with 23. Furthermore, Skinner, who spent thee years with Forest City, went on to become the career CPL leader in hits (158), doubles (56), and total bases (256).

As a team, the Forest City Owls was third in the league with a .255 batting average, while leading the CPL with a team ERA of 2.56. And as no surprise, the Owls were at the top or among the top leaders in almost every meaningful offensive and pitching category.

Hayes, who spent the 2009-10 season as an assistant coach at Limestone, has served five years as a head coach in the Coastal Plain League, including the last three with the Forest City Owls. He led the Owls to a 28-26 league record in 2008, and won the West Division First Half title. He went on to be named the associate head coach of the American All-Star team. The 2009 season, Hayes captained the Owls juggernaut that went 51-9. Overall, Hayes sports a 174-111 (.611) record as a head coach in the CPL, including four straight trips to the postseason.

In addition to being an assistant coach for Limestone, Hayes is also the assistant compliance officer. During the 2008-09 season, Hayes coached first base and worked with the hitters, infielders and outfielders at Indiana University. Prior to his time with the Hoosiers, Hayes spent six years as an assistant coach at Limestone College. He had the same responsibilities at Limestone, and also oversaw the Saints junior varsity program.

Hayes attended the Danville Area Community College in Illinois before transferring to Mars Hill College, where he was a standout on the Lions baseball team. He graduated with a degree in Sports Management in 2002. Furethermore, Hayes was the head coach for the American Legion Post 23 team in Gastonia for three seasons and served as volunteer assistant coach for the CPL’s Gastonia Grizzlies in 2005.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 800 alumni drafted and 38 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http:www.coastaplain.com.

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Martin returns to coach Liberal Bee Jays

From the Liberal Bee Jays
The Liberal Bee Jays announced this week that John Martin will be returning to coach the Liberal Bee Jays for 2011 summer season.

Martin coached the Bee Jays to a 2010 NBC world series championship this past summer. Martin was also named Congress' Coach of the Year for 2010.He was an assistant on the 2009 Bee Jays team under Mike Hargrove, that team finished third.

The Congress brings in champions from various summer leagues to determine a national champion, and the Liberal Bee Jays defeated the Seattle Studs in the final game, after also defeating former champions Santa Barabara Forresters and Haysville (formerly Havasu) Heat.

Along with his two years at Liberal, Martin has assisted at Emporia State University in Kansas. Prior to that, he played three years for Emporia and was the 2006 Roger Newell Award Winner. Following his senior season he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the draft. Martin is now the second member of the Emporia State coaching staff to win the National Baseball Congress World Series. Head Coach Bob Fornelli led the El Dorado Broncos to the tournament during the 1998 campaign.

Check http://www.beejays.com for more updates on the 2011 season.

The Jayhawk League is summer collegiate league that is sanctioned by the NCAA. It was formed in 1976. Teams in the Jayhwak League play by American League rules. They have been playing with wooden bats since 1991. There are currently six teams in the Jayhawk League. The teams are spread throughout Kansas. The League consists of the Liberal BeeJays, Hays Larks, Dodge City A’s, Derby Twins, El Dorado Broncos, and Haysville Heat. Only Hays and Liberal have been members since 1976. In the past 10 years, the Jayhawk League has had three National Championship teams (El Dorado Broncos in 2009 and Liberal Bee Jays in 2000 & 2010). This past summer marked the League’s 35th season. For more information on the Jayhawk League, please visit the league web site at http://www.jayhawkbaseballleague.org/

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Edenton Steamers not quite dead yet

From the Ballpark Digest
Fundraising to keep the Edenton Steamers (summer collegiate; Coastal Plain League) alive has come up short of the goals set by organizers, but enough money has come in to keep the efforts alive -- for now.

The goal from the nonprofit running the Steamers, the Edenton Chowen Community Foundation: raising $50,000 by Labor Day. That effort has come up short, but not by that much: around $30,000 has been raised, with contributions still coming in daily. Much of the money is in response to a direct-mail piece sent out to 500 supports and former players and coaches.

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2010 Cal Ripken League Season Awards

From the Cal Ripken League
The Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League announced its 2010 season awards today, including the Most Valuable Player, the Most Outstanding Pitcher, and the All-League Teams as voted upon by the teams. Benjamin Carhart of Youse's Orioles and Stetson University was named the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League's Most Valuable Player for the 2010 season. Max Knowles of the Alexandria Aces and North Carolina Wesleyan College was named the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League's Most Outstanding Pitcher.

The Cal Ripken League RBI king in 2010, Carhart drove in 28 runs for the regular-season champion Youse's Orioles (29-13). The third baseman/relief pitcher was one of just seven Ripken League players to play in all 42 regular season games in 2010, and he hit safely in 29 of them. Carhart posted 16 multi-hit games and amassed 48 hits, second most in the League. His 11 doubles were most on the Orioles and tied for third most in the League, and he also tripled once and hit two home runs. An on-base machine, Carhart walked 22 times (7th most in the League) to just 15 strikeouts, fewest of any player to play in all 42 games. His on-base percentage was an even .400, tied for sixth best in the League, and he scored 22 runs. Carhart also posted the eighth-best slugging percentage in the League (.429) and was tied for eighth in batting average (.308).

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Former SwampDog Gets Call Up to MLB

From the Coastal Plain League
“The Swamp” has had numerous professional baseball players visit during it’s history in Fayetteville. The count continues to rise as another SwampDog alum received the call to report to the Major League ranks.

Mike McKenry is the newest big leaguer that has worn the SwampDogs pinstripes. He was called up from the Colorado Sky Sox, the AAA affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. At the time he received the call he was hitting .265 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs with the Sky Sox.

McKenry was drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB draft out of Middle Tennessee State University. He has been named the Rockies best catching prospect by Baseball America the last three years (2008-2010), which also named him the Rockies 14th best prospect prior to the 2010 season.

In a SwampDogs uniform McKenry hit .257 in 51 games with 20 RBIs and 13 stolen bases during the 2005 season.

“We are so proud of Mike and what he has accomplished,” said SwampDogs head coach Darrell Handelsman. “He is a tremendous person and deserves all the success he is experiencing. He was a big part of our first team here in Fayetteville and helped to set the bar for all SwampDogs players and teams.”

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 11th season in the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com.

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Five Gatemen named in Top 30 league prospects

From the Village Soup
Six Gatemen have been listed by Baseball America, considered by many to be the "bible of amateur baseball," as the top 30 prospects who played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Even more impressively, three Gatemen were in the top five.

Outfielder George Springer, from University of Connecticut was ranked second, after hitting .288 with three homers and seven RBI in just 16 games this summer before he left the league to join Team USA.

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Aspeitia’s Return Spells Promising 2011 for Woodchucks

From the Wisconsin Woodchucks
Wausau, WI - September 1, 2010 - If history tells us anything, the return of Wisconsin’s Field Manager George “Guido” Aspeitia means big things for the future of the Woodchucks franchise.

In his first full season as head coach with the ‘Chucks this summer, Aspeitia set a franchise record for regular season wins with a 42-28 record. Adding Aspeitia’s 16-5 record as interim head coach from the final few weeks of the 2009 season, he boasts a 58-33 career Woodchucks record- calculating to a stellar .637 winning percentage and a 2010 playoff berth.

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Gee Gets Promoted by Mets

From the Northwoods League
The New York Mets called up former Brainerd Blue Thunder pitcher Dillon Gee to start Tuesday night. Gee faces the Washington Nationals as he replaces Mets ace Johan Santana who is sidelined with a pectoral sprain. The promotion of the 21st round pick from the 2007 Draft is partially due to Santana’s injury, but more to do with his outstanding numbers in Triple-A.

The 6’1’’ 200-pound righty had an injury riddled 2009 as he partially tore his labrum, but bounced back in 2010 with his best season in the Minor Leagues. Gee was 13-8 in Triple-A Buffalo with a 4.96 ERA and a franchise record 165 strikeouts which leads the International League. With four years of Minor League experience under his belt, the former NWL pitcher comes to the Mets with 425.0+ Minor League innings and 27 wins.

The former 2005 Brainerd Blue Thunder pitcher came to the NWL from Texas-Arlington. Gee’s record with Brainerd was not overly impressive (3-7) with the Blue Thunder, but his 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio was. His numbers at Texas-Arlington (UT-A) display his ability much better than his numbers with the Blue Thunder. He ranks 2nd on the all-time innings pitch list with 298.1, 5th in strikeouts (198) and 8th in appearances (58) at UT-A. His 111.2 innings pitched in 2007 ranks 4th on the single-season list, while his 96 strikeouts are tied for 3rd.

Gee will face another late season call up as he faces Washington Nationals Yunesky Maya. The right handed Maya hails from Cuba and starts for the Nationals after two starts in Triple-A Syracuse. Gee becomes a part of Mets history as it will be the 1st time that both teams’ starting pitchers will be making their Major League debuts (Elias Sports Bureau).

Follow Dillon Gee as he becomes the 72nd NWL Alumni to make it to the Major Leagues. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America.

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Three Lake Erie Monarchs named GLSCL top prospects

From lenconnect.com
The Lake Erie Monarchs had three players named in Perfect Game USA's top 35 prospects in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. Outfielder Alex Johnson (Cleveland State), setup man Logan Brunkenhoefer (Oklahoma State) and closer Dylan Vogt (Nebraska) made the list.

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Rafters Laverty anxious to return for 2011

From the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune
Next summer there will be new players to follow, but the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will have the stability of manager Scott Laverty who will return for the 2011 season. Rafters' officials made the official announcement on Friday.

Laverty, who coaches the University of Redlands baseball team in California, is anxious to return to Wisconsin Rapids for season two.

"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to come back," Laverty said during a phone interview on Friday. "I had a great experience in Wisconsin Rapids and can't wait to come back and make my summer home there again. I'm already looking at players for next summer's team."

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Joe Mercurio joins HPU baseball staff

From High Point University
The High Point University baseball team has added Joe Mercurio as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Craig Cozart announced Monday. Mercurio was an All-Conference catcher at the University of Maine and spent last summer coaching the Glens Fall Golden Eagles in the New York Collegiate Baseball League.

“We are very excited to have Joe join our staff,” Cozart said. “We have known him for many years as we recruited him out of high school and we are happy he is beginning his college coaching career with us at High Point University. He comes from a tremendous family with a long history of being involved in baseball at various levels and he will be a great addition to our staff.”

Mercurio will serve as the first base coach this season while working with the outfielders. He will also work with associate head coach Bryan Peters and assistant coach Rich Wallace as a hitting coach. Mercurio will be in charge of the team’s travel and daily maintenance of the program while helping to further the Panther Baseball Camps.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to coach at High Point University,” Mercurio said. “Coach Cozart has a great staff here and I will be able to learn a lot from them.”

Mercurio was a three-year member of the Maine baseball team after playing his freshman year at Illinois. In his senior season he hit .363 with 12 home runs as the team’s everyday catcher. He was a two-time America East Player of the Week and earned All-Conference and All-Tournament honors. Mercurio was also named to the ABCA All-Northeast first team, ECAC first team and All-New England first team.

He was an assistant coach for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles of the NYCBL last summer and previously was an assistant coach for the World Yacht Clippers during the summers from 2007-2010. Mercurio has experience working camps as well, having coached at the Collegiate League Baseball Camps, the University of Maine Youth Camps and the Dynamite Diamonds Baseball Camp in Brewster, N.Y.

Mercurio earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Maine in May 2010. Mercurio’s younger brother Mike is a sophomore on HPU’s baseball team.

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Schatzley to Coach 2011 Daredevils

From the Coastal Plain League
The Outer Banks Daredevils Baseball Club announced this week the hiring of a new head coach. Andy Schatzley, of Division II school Emporia State in Kansas, will take the reins for the 2011 Daredevils season.

Schatzley (pronounced SHATS-LEE) has had two successful summers coaching the El Dorado Broncos of the Jayhawk League. In Schatzley’s first season the Broncos went 41-9 and captured the league title and the National Baseball Congress crown.

The Congress brings in champions from various summer leagues to determine a national champion, and the Broncos defeated Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the final out of the traditionally strong Alaska League.

Schatzley, 25, was named the Congress’ Coach of the Year for 2009.

He will replace Jeff Wicker, who coached the Daredevils the past two seasons and was an assistant in 2008. Outer Banks went to the postseason in 2008 and 2009 and won the Coastal Plain League’s North Division first half title in 2009.

“I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from successful programs, both during the school year and in the summer. I’m excited about being able to apply that experience in a league as competitive as the CPL,” Schatzley said.

Along with two years at El Dorado, Schatzley has assisted at NAIA school Lubbock Christian in Texas. Lubbock won its conference title both years and also reached the NAIA World Series, winning the championship in 2009, before Schatzley took a similar position at Emporia State.

“The level of play in the CPL combined with the chance to spend a summer on the Outer Banks makes this one of — if not the best — summer jobs in the country,” Schatzley said. “My staff and I are working hard to ensure a quality brand of baseball and return the Daredevils to postseason play.”

Check http://www.obxdaredevils.com for more updates on the 2011 season, including player updates and game promotions.

The Outer Banks Daredevils are a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 14th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had more than 800 alumni drafted and 38 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league Web site at http://www.coastalplain.com.

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DANS ALUM NAMED TOP RELIEF PITCHER

From the Danville Dans
2007 Danville Dan, A.J.Griffin (San Diego), has been named the Northwest League's top Right-Handed Relief Pitcher of the Year, amassing a league leading 14 saves in 15 attempts, one shy of the Vancouver Canadians (Oakland A's) single-season record of 15 (Jose Guzman). He was also named to the 2010 Northwest League All-Star team as selected by the 8 managers across the NWL.

CONGRATULATIONS A.J.!

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MacDonald Reflects on Triple Crown Year

From the WMBL
Despite missing 10 days with a knee infection caused by a mosquito bite, MacDonald captured the 2010 Triple Crown with record-setting numbers.

Through 36 regular season games, the Regina product clubbed eight home runs, 48 RBI's, and compiled an incredible .476 batting average, tops in each category.

Regularly batting fifth in the Red Sox lineup behind fellow sluggers David Fox and Eric McKinney, MacDonald also comes in as one of the league-leaders in another unquantifiable statistic.

Humility.

"Your main goal as a player is to help your team win, whether that be stealing bases, driving in runs, or just getting on base," said MacDonald. "I knew what my role was going to be on the team and I just tried to do my best in that role."

MacDonald was part of a Regina offence that led the league in runs scored (294), home runs (26), and slugging percentage (.421). Batting behind the likes of Fox and McKinney certainly helped MacDonald capture the first Triple Crown in league history.

"Having great hitters around you only helps you play well and takes away some of the stress of hitting," said MacDonald. "You can just worry about yourself hitting, and what you can do in your at-bat."

Now, despite a year full of statistical success, 2010 ultimately ended on a sour note for MacDonald and the Red Sox, who were swept 2-0 in the WMBL Final by the Swift Current Indians.

But taking it in stride, they hope to use the defeat as a learning experience.

"Anytime you get that close to your ultimate team goal and come up a little short, it's tough," said MacDonald. "But as an organization you have to get past some hurdles. This was the first time Regina had been to a WMBL final, so as hard as it was to get that far and come up short, it was also a big step."

The 2010 Red Sox dubbed themselves the "Loyal Men", a group that bonded quickly in the Queen City. From Bon Jovi Concerts to XBox marathons, the team went far beyond what happened between the white lines.

MacDonald plans on returning in 2011 should the coaching staff call on his services, which shouldn't be an issue. As far as the rest of the lineup is concerned, the Triple Crown winner would love a returning cast.

"It's not exactly realistic, but if I could have the same roster next June in our clubhouse I'd take it in a second," said MacDonald.

"We had a lot of guys serious about baseball and their careers, and that made the season a lot of fun."

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Hardy speeding through Padres system

From the Okotoks Dawgs
A Former Okotoks Dawg is wasting no time, working his way up the Minor Leagues.

Left-handed pitcher Mark Hardy spent the summers of 2008 and 2009 with the Okotoks Dawgs collegiate team while going to school at the University of British Columbia. In his 2 seasons with the Dawgs, Hardy posted a 2.00 ERA in 54 innings, while being an important piece of two championship runs.

Following his 2010 spring season at UBC, the San Diego Padres drafted Hardy in the 43rd round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Being taken in the 43rd round was later than Hardy was expecting, but it did give him a chance to take his game to the next level. Once he got on the mound in the Padres system, it didn’t take long for Mark to assure San Diego that they made the right decision, while making the other 29 organizations question why they didn’t take him earlier.

After throwing 76 innings for UBC from February through May, Hardy made his professional debut in June for San Diego’s rookie affiliate in Arizona. It didn’t take long for him to make the adjustment. In 6 appearances, 5 starts, at Rookie, Hardy held a 3.06 ERA with a strikeout to walk ratio of 31-4. That was enough to earn a start with San Diego’s high-A affiliate in Lake Elsinore, California. After a start in Lake Elsinore, Hardy went to the low-A Eugene Emeralds in Oregon for his next 5 starts. Mark posted a 3.00 ERA in 27 innings while striking out 28 in Eugene.

At this point it had already been a great season for Hardy, starting at UBC in the spring, making his way to low-A by July. But the year wasn’t over yet. With Mark posting a combined minor league ERA of right around 3.00 in 60 innings over 3 levels, Padres management were taking notice. The Padres figured he had proved enough at the single-A level, so on Saturday, August 28 with 10 games remaining in the minor league season, Hardy was promoted to the AA San Antonio Missions.

They wasted no time getting him on the mound, giving Mark the start on Sunday. Again, he took the promotion in stride and continued to just do his thing on the mound. In his AA debut, Hardy threw 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits while striking out 2. His job is to get hitters out, but maybe just as impressive about his outing was what he did at the plate. Being in the minor league system of a National League club, Hardy gets to hit for himself, and he took full advantage, going 2 for 2 with an RBI base hit in his team’s 5-3 win.

With just one more start left in his season, it appears that Mark will finish the year at AA. 2010 has been an amazing year in the baseball career of Mark Hardy. This year alone, he has worn the uniform of five different teams. It started in early February in Vancouver, BC with the UBC Thunderbirds, and will likely end in early September, in San Antonio, Texas with the AA San Antonio Missions, just 2 steps below the Major Leagues. In between were stops in Eugene, Oregon, and Lake Elsinore, California.

The Dawgs are very excited to see the remarkable progression for Mark this year, and hope next year goes equally well. We are very proud to have him in the Dawgs family.

Hardy joins four other Dawgs alumni now playing at the AA level, including Jim Henderson, James Avery, Emerson Frostad, and Kyler Newby.

Keep it going Mark; hope to see you on the mound in San Diego some day soon!

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All-West Coast League teams announced by WCL president Ken Wilson

From the West Coast League
Portland, Oregon, Monday, August 30, 2010 - WCL president Ken Wilson announced the 2010 All-West Coast League teams as voted on by member head coaches.

Wenatchee first baseman Eric Peterson of Washington, utility man Trevor Brown of UCLA, and pitchers Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga and Jeff Ames of Lower Columbia College; Bend second baseman Tommy Richards of Washington State; Corvallis outfielder Michael Blake of Hawaii; Kelowna pitcher Dayne Quist of UC Davis; and Kitsap catcher Chase Anselment of University of Washington were the top vote getters.

The WCL will announce its annual awards on Tuesday, September 7.

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Duda Starts for Mets

From the Northwoods League
Former Northwoods star Lucas Duda was put into the starting lineup by Jerry Manuel of the New York Mets Wednesday night. Duda, a 7th round pick of the Mets in 2007, started in left field against the National League East leading Atlanta Braves.

The 6’5’’ Southern California product played for the Alexandria Beetles in 2006 where he hit .273 with eight homeruns, 12 doubles and 49 RBI. During the summer of 2006, Duda was named to the NWL Postseason All-Star team and also earned the Silver Glove Award at 1st base.

Duda, a left handed hitter, was 0-for-3 on the night for the Mets before being removed from the game due to dehydration. The lefty faced Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson who was on a roll as a he threw a one hitter in 7.0 innings of work.

Before being called up, Duda had an impressive .284 career Minor League batting average with stops in Brooklyn (2007), St. Lucie (2008), Binghamton (2009/10) and Buffalo (2010). In his four season of Minor League ball the Riverside, CA native had 115 doubles, 47 homeruns and 238 RBI. His promotion was due to his extremely strong 2010 season where he hit 40 doubles, 23 homeruns and drove in 84 runs while playing in Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Buffalo.

Follow Duda in the Major Leagues at www.northwoodsleague.com and www.newyorkmets.com.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. Duda is the 71st NWL alumni to appear in Major League Baseball.

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Stingers Raise $3,465 for Willmar Area Food Shelf

From the Northwoods League
The Willmar Stingers of the Northwoods League and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans presented a check totaling $3,465 to the Willmar Area Food Shelf on Friday, August 27. The Stingers and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans partnered to bring "Shirts off our Backs Night" to the ballpark on Monday, August 9th. The promotion gave fans an opportunity to bid on the players jerseys with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Willmar Area Food Shelf. A total of three coaches and thirty players’ uniforms were bid on and awarded to fans that evening.

Pictured in the photo from left to right are Stingers co-owner Marc Jerzak, Willmar Area Food Shelf Volunteer Coordinator Laura Jorgenson, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representative Charlie Munsch, Willmar Area Food Shelf Inventory Coordinator Susan Boonstra, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representative Benjamin Munsch, and Stingers co-owner Ryan Voz.

The Stingers are members of the largest summer collegiate league in the country. More than 160 players were drafted into professional baseball in 2010 from the Northwoods League.

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Richards Top 2nd baseman In WCL

From My Central Oregon.com
BEND, OR -- The Elks' Tommy Richards was named to the All-West Coast League 1st team Monday. Richards, a junior to be at Washington State University, was voted the top 2nd baseman by the WCL coaches.

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Lippow enjoys summer of baseball and beaches

From the Martinez News-Gazette
Hawaii is a vacation destination for many American’s, yet most return after a week of relaxation and head back to work. Not so for Evan Lippow. Lippow, a 2008 graduate of Alhambra High School got to enjoy his summer by playing baseball in the Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League on the island of Oahu.

The HCBL selects elite college baseball players with Hawaii ties and other Division I participants from colleges and universities across the United States. Lippow, who plays baseball at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, a NAIA school, and his teammate Kevin Newburg were selected to participate and spent the summer playing 50 games against some of the top amateur baseball talent in the country.

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