Schaaf Named MAAC Pitcher of the Week

From the Coastal Plain League
St. Peters freshman pitcher Mike Schaaf (photo courtesy of St. Peters) has been named the MAAC Pitcher of the Week.

This past week, Schaaf earned his third win of the season in the first game against Marist on Saturday. The freshman struck out eight batters while allowing just four hits in 7.2 innings of work. Also throwing against Wagner, Schaaf pitched 1.1 innings in relief, holding Wagner’s offense to just one run on one hit.

On the season, Schaaf leads St. Peters in wins with 3. In 39.2 innings, Schaaf has struck out 38 batters and has an ERA of 5.22.

The Marlins open their inaugural season at home May 28th. For season tickets or individual tickets, call 252.269.9767 or visit the website at http://www.mhcmarlins.com. The Marlins 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 over 700 alumni drafted and 36 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com.

Mavs Add Brother Duo

From the Medicine Hat Mavericks
The Medicine Hat Mavericks have added to their 2010 roster by signing Chad and Dustin Northcott from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Chad Northcott, the younger of the two brothers, is a sophomore at Indian Hills Community College in Centerville, Iowa. Chad at 5’11’’, 175 lbs, is a starter, playing middle infield for the Indian Hills Falcons. He figures to provide an immediate impact up the middle this summer for the Mavericks. Chad is a graduate of the Vauxhall Baseball Academy, in Vauxhall, Alberta.

Dustin Northcott, the elder brother, is a junior at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Dustin at 6’1’’, 215 lbs, is a right-handed pitcher for NSU. Pitching in the Southland Conference this spring, Dustin has appeared in 16 games, posting a 2-0 record while maintaining a 4.37 ERA. In 23 innings, he has allowed 23 hits while striking out 17 and walking just 4. Dustin will certainly add another reliable arm to the Mavericks staff.

Mavericks head coach Greg Morrison on the signing of the Northcott brothers.

“I am very excited to add these two impact players to our squad this season. Dustin will immediately add depth to our pitching staff. Chad is presently an everyday player at a very reputable college program in IHCC. The Mavericks and Med Hat fans will be happy these two brothers have chosen to showcase their skills wearing Mavericks uniforms this summer.”

PURDUE PRODUCT SOLIDIFIES OUTFIELD

From the Waterloo Bucks
Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks, members of the Northwoods League, have announced the signing of outfielder Tyler Spillner for the 2010 season. Currently, Spillner is a sophomore at Purdue University and is the 22nd player to sign with the Bucks for the summer. Spillner joins Boilermaker teammate Ryan Bridges on the Waterloo roster this season.

This season for Purdue, Spillner is hitting .331 with 14 stolen bases and 25 RBI. Starting in 37 of the 39 games he has played, the 6’1”, 185-pounder owns a slugging percentage of .497 and an on-base percentage of .416.

Last season for the Boilermakers, Spillner finished with a .289 average with five doubles, one triple, and one home run. Spillner drove in 24 runs and scored 26 runs 43 games. Spillner was also named to the 2009 All-Big Ten Freshman Team.

A graduate of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Spillner earned four varsity letters in baseball and led the team with a .445 average as a freshman. Spillner was All-Conference and All-Area in as a sophomore after hitting .475. He batted .465 as a junior en route to being named first team All-State, All-Conference and All-Area. Spillner was named All-Conference and All-Area for a third time after a senior season in which he hit .451. In 2008, Spillner was a North/South All-Star Game participant, breaking a total of 10 baseball records at Northrop during his prep career.

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Spillner was born on May 24, 1989. Tyler is the son of Mike and Jeanette Spillner.

The Bucks will open the 2010 season at home on Wednesday, June 2 at 6:35 pm versus Wisconsin Rapids. Season tickets and single-game tickets are currently on sale. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.

Browns to Wear 1953 Uniforms in Honor of Veeck-Owned Club

From the Farmington Browns
Fifty-seven years ago, the St. Louis Browns played their last home game at Sportsman's Park. This season, the summer collegiate Kitty League Farmington Browns Baseball Club will wear vintage 1953 home Browns uniforms in honor of then owner Bill Veeck.

Except for the cartoon Brownie head on the left sleeve, the jerseys will be the same as those worn by such stars on the '53 team as Satchel Paige, Roy Sievers and Don Larsen.

When established in February this year, the Farmington club planned to wear original 1934 Browns jerseys home and away. The team will keep its 1930s style logo as a tribute to the Browns clubs of that era.

Spotlight On Stuart MacInnes

Stuart MacInnes is a very talented and underrated junior outfielder from the University of Texas Pan American.  He is from Austin, TX and was a star on the baseball diamond for Anderson High School.  He played junior college ball at the ever tough Ranger College.  In 2009, he hit .363 in 179 at-bats.  He also hit 9 home runs and led the team with 52 runs batted in.

Stuart transferred to UT Pan AM this season, and he has not disappointed.  He is currently hitting .349/.481/.412 in a team-high 129 at-bats this year.  He has scored 24 runs and has driven in 27 (both numbers are 2nd on the team).  He has hit 9 doubles, 1 triple and smacked 2 home runs for the Broncos.

Stuart is expected to be play for the Rockville Express this summer.

AppleSox Ink Two Toreros

From the Wenatchee AppleSox
The pipeline from Southern California to Wenatchee continues as two University of San Diego Toreros will join the AppleSox this summer. The AppleSox have already signed four players from UCLA and three more from UC Irvine. The duo from USD includes freshman outfielder Kalei Hanawahine and freshman right-handed pitcher Mike Dedrick.

“They have been a top-25 team and their coaching staff does a tremendous job,” said AppleSox Head Coach Ed Knaggs.

Hanawahine, a Honolulu, HI, native, has impressed as a freshman. He has appeared in 27 games for the Toreros and is hitting .340. As a high school senior he had a perfect fielding percentage and batted .429 on his way to earning first team All-State honors.

“They were really impressed by his performance in the fall and he has played a lot more than anticipated this year,” said Knaggs. “He is a dynamite player that they really like a lot.”

Dedrick, from Cedar City, UT, earned Under Armour All American accolades his junior and senior high school seasons. He also garnered all-state honors his senior season after recording 119 strikeouts and a 2.75 ERA with an 8-3 record.

He is 1-0 for the Toreros in thirteen appearances this season, including one start.

“He has thrown quite a bit for a freshman,” said Knaggs. “His coaches say he has a great breaking ball that could be one of the best in our league.”

The USD coaching staff even features a former AppleSox coach. Tyler Kincaid was the AppleSox pitching coach during the 2004 season and serves in the same capacity for the Toreros.

The AppleSox open the 2010 season on the road June 8th against the expansion Walla Walla Sweets. The home opener is June 11th against the Kitsap BlueJackets at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.


About the Wenatchee AppleSox:
The Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club is part of the West Coast League, one of the premier wood-bat summer collegiate leagues in the country. The AppleSox provide affordable family entertainment for baseball fans throughout North Central Washington, and an excellent environment for college players from around the country to develop their skills.
The AppleSox were founded in 2000 and have won the West Coast League Championship three out of the last five seasons (2005, 2006, and 2009). The team plays a 54 game schedule and in 2009 averaged 1,340 fans per game. Three AppleSox alumni have reached the major leagues, Jason Hammel (Colorado Rockies), Clay Mortensen (Oakland Athletics), and Cole Gillespie (Arizona Diamondbacks). For more information, visit www.applesox.com.

Pictures:
Photos of Kalei Hanawahine and Mike Dedrick provided by USD Sports Information Department.

Contact:
Chris King
Wenatchee AppleSox
Communications Director
chris@applesox.com
(509) 665-6900

Pack preparing for summer league play

From the Technician Online
For most students, summer is a season in which they can relax, kick back and just hang out. No one is worried about when the next test is or whether a teacher will be giving a pop quiz on the reading; it’s a time to regroup, rest and prepare for the next school year.

However, for college baseball players, relaxation time will have to wait. For most players, as soon as the spring college season wraps up, they will move right ahead and begin play in summer wood bat leagues located all across the United States. Read the rest here.

North Carolina not where former SM South pitcher Morin expected to be

From Rustin Todd at the Kansas City Star
The details become jumbled as Michael Morin begins to speak.

He’s trying to recall that day two months ago, when he first took the mound at North Carolina.

The memory comes to him fast. But then there’s a slight pause.

“My adrenaline was rushing,” he says.

Finally, the rest of the story comes out.  Read the rest here.

Spotlight On Nate Ring

Nate Ring is a true-freshman from Cal State Northridge by way of Litchfield, AZ.  He is a 5-9/170 pound player that can play both infield and outfield.  While in high school at Millenium High, he was a 2-time First Team All-Valley selection and he was the team MVP his senior season.

Nate is having quite the season so far, and hopefully he will have a great summer as he will be a member of the Sedalia Bombers of the MINK League.  Currently, Nate is hitting .337 in 86 at-bats.  He is third on the team with 11 doubles, and he has hit 2 home runs this spring.  He has also scored 20 runs, driven in 16 and stolen 2 bases for the Matadors.

Former Stinger, Tolleson, Debuts With Athletics

From the Coastal Plain League
For the son of a former Major Leaguer, the dream of one day reaching the Big Leagues like your father is one that starts when you’re young and drives you to work harder until it is one day a reality.

For Steven Tolleson (picture courtesy of Brian Murphy/Sacramento River Cats), a former Spartanburg Stinger standout in the Coastal Plain League, that day came Wednesday when he debuted with Oakland. Entering the game in the bottom of the seventh as a defensive substitution at second base, Tolleson reached first on an fielding error by Rays third baseman Evan Longoria in his first at-bat in the eighth. He would come up again in the top of the ninth, but flew out to left-center to finish 0-2 for the game in the Athletics 10-3 loss.

With the Spartanburg (S.C.) franchise relocating to Forest City (N.C.) in 2008, where it also changed its nickname to the Owls, Tolleson is the first alum in franchise history to reach the Majors. Furthermore, he is the 36th CPL alum that has debuted with a Major League team, and the second thus far in 2010.

A career .305 hitter while at the University of South Carolina, Tolleson played the summer of 2003 with the Stingers. That season, he finished with a .313 average with nine doubles and a pair of triples. He scored 20 runs and racked up 12 RBIs while also walking 14 times and stealing 12 bases. He was also named to the Coastal Plain League South All-Star team, where he went 1-for-3 as the starting shortstop.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins. After spending the 2005 season split between Rookie ball and Single-A, Tolleson started his climb in the Twins farm system in 2006. With 47 games in Beloit, he was promoted to High-A Fort Myers, where he finished the season batting .268. Fort Myers would remain home for the 2007 season as well before advancing to Double-A New Britain at the start of 2008. That year, he batted .300 with nine homers and 50 RBIs. In 2009 he opened up back in Double-A, but shortly was promoted to Triple-A Rochester. While with the Red Wings, Tolleson batted .270 with six long balls and 27 RBIs.

In February, he was claimed off waivers by Oakland. In 16 games prior to being called up with Triple-A Sacramento, Tolleson batted an impressive .333 with five doubles, a homer, eight runs scored and eight RBIs.

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 700 alumni drafted and 36 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com.

ATHENS PIRATES SIGNEE CHRIS SCOTT LEADS ATLANTA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TO #1 RANKING

From the Great South League
Athens Pirates signee, Chris Scott, leads Atlanta Christian College to a #1 ranking in the NCCAA. Scott, a native of Watkinsville GA, has 65 hits in 47 games. He is currently batting .419 and is ranked #1 in both RBI (59) and HR (16). The left-handed batter is also #1 in Slugging with a .826 rating. Scott will play his summer ball with the home-town Athens Pirates.

Beetles' Roberson, Alvarez lead college squads

From the Echo Press
A couple of players expected to be back with the Alexandria Beetles this summer are putting together strong seasons at Florida Golf Coast University this spring.

Catcher Tim Roberson and second baseman Mikel Alvarez have played a big role in helping the Eagles jump out to a 23-13 record.  Read the rest here.

Border Cats add 4 players

From the Chronicle Journal
The Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League announced Monday the signing of four players for the 2010 season.

Joining the two-time NWL Champions are second baseman Evan Mistich, outfielder Jay Laurienzo and pitchers Matt White and Freddy Lewis.  Read the rest here.

Pair of KCC Bruins join Bombers

From the Battle Creek Bombers
Local Kellogg Community College pitchers Chad Jasman and John Morrison have signed with the Battle Creek Bombers for the upcoming 2010 season.

Jasman, a transfer student from Kansas State University, will be on familiar turf as he joins the Bombers after playing this season at Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek. Jasman currently boasts an ERA of 3.37, while pitching a total of 18.2 innings with the KCC Bruins.
“Chad spent a year at Kansas State prior to coming back home and we could not be happier to have him as a Bomber this summer,” says Stan Eldridge, Bombers field manager. “Chad brings a power arm to the rotation along with the ability to command three pitches.”

Originally from Bay City, Michigan, Jasman attended Western High School where he was a three-year starter and letter-winner. He also was named all-conference three-years, first-team all-state as a senior, and was awarded MVP two-years. As a senior, Jasman boasted a 0.84 ERA and 100 strikeouts, as well as, being selected to play in the High School All-Star game at Detroit’s Comerica Park.

Morrison, from Adrian, Michigan, will also be joining the Bombers as a freshman from Kellogg Community College. The right-hander has pitched 12.1 innings for the local Battle Creek junior college club.

“John came out of a small high school and flew under the radar of many of the larger schools; however, he possesses a big time power arm,” says Eldridge. “We look forward to having John as a part of what promises to be a strong rotation this summer.”

McCamly Plaza Hotel in downtown Battle Creek is a proud supporting sponsor of the Battle Creek Bombers, as they begin their fourth season of play on June 2, 2010. For schedule information, or to reserve your season tickets, visit our newly renovated website at battlecreekbombers.com or call (269) 962-0735.

Aces Sign St. Andrew's Pitcher

The Alexandria Aces of the Cal Ripken League have signed Jack Crawford from St. Andrew's Presbyterian College. Crawford is a junior from Montgomery, NY.  He went 4-4, with a team-leading 4.80 era in 54.1 innings pitched.  He started 10 games, completed 4 of those, and struck out 42 batters.  He was named to the 2010 2nd Team All-Conference Carolinas Team.

Tomcats Sign Two from A&M-Corpus Christi

From the Texas Tomcats
April 27, 2010 – The Texas Tomcats of the Texas Collegiate League have announced the signing of two players from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi to their 2010 summer roster. Adam Hoelscher and Chris Vergne will be playing for the Tomcats during their inaugural season starting in June of 2010.

“These two young men are currently having great seasons at A&M – Corpus Christi,” commented Blake Koch, the Tomcat’s general manager. “They are both at the top of almost every statistical category for the Islanders.”

Adam Hoelscher, a freshman left-handed pitcher, is currently leading the team in ERA, with a 3.98 mark, and in appearances, with 18. Hoelscher has pitched 31.2 innings for the Islanders this season, recording 22 strikeouts.

Before attending A&M – Corpus Christi, Hoelscher played for one of the most prestigious high school programs in the state of Texas at Calallen High School in Corpus Christi where he earned First-Team All-District honors during his senior season as a utility player. Hoelscher was 4-0 on the mound with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 21 batters in 19 innings of work.

“Adam is big, strong, left-hander that will add depth to our bullpen this summer,” said Koch. “He’s also the type of guy that can make a spot start for you at times when needed.”

Chris Vergne, a junior outfielder from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is currently hitting .338 while leading the Islander’s offense in doubles with 10, and in runs scored with 46. Vergne is also second on the team in home runs with four, in RBIs with 37, and in walks with 21.

The left-handed hitting Vergne transferred to A&M – Corpus Christi from Southeastern Community College in Iowa where he was a First-Team All-Region performer as a sophomore while hitting .379 with two home runs, and Honorable Mention All-Region as a freshman while hitting .415 with five home runs.

While growing up in San Juan, Vergne trained at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.

“Chris gives us another potent left-handed bat in our lineup,” said Koch. “He’s the type of hitter that can hit anywhere in the order due to his ability to get on base and drive in runs.”

Tomcats fans can see these players in action along with the rest of the team during the first home game in franchise history on June 6 at Veterans Memorial Park – Strickland Field in Weimar. The Tomcats will host the Alexandria Aces starting at 7:05pm. Season tickets for all of the Tomcat’s home games will go on sale at the beginning of May. To find out more about the Tomcats, visit www.TexasTomcats.com.

Mallards announce assistant coaching staff for 2010 season

From the Madison Mallards
Madison, WI – April 26, 2010. The Mallards have announced pitching coach Jason Immekus will return for a third season while the team has signed a new position coach in Air Force’s Matt Rademacher.

Immekus is currently serving as pitching coach for Missouri Southern State University in Carthage. He was instrumental in helping arguably the league’s fastest rising pitcher in Union Grove, Wisconsin-native Cody Winiarski become a Northwoods League Mid-Season All-Star and the Mallards most consistent starter last summer. Winiarski transferred to the University of Virginia this past fall after pitching for nearby Madison College in 2009, and has posted a remarkable 5-0 record and 3.96 ERA over 10 starts this spring as the Cavaliers number three starting pitcher. Virginia is currently ranked the second best team in the nation according to the latest Baseball America poll.

Immekus coached at Jefferson College (MO) from 2006 to 2009 during which he helped lead the team to its twelfth Midwest Community College and second consecutive appearance in the region XVI championship game in 2008.

Immekus’ college baseball playing career began at Independence Community College (Kansas) before transferring to the nearby University of Washburn. After college he signed a free agent contract with the Richmond Roosters in the independent Frontier League and played there for two seasons. He then spent the following year with the Kalamazoo Kings in the same league.

Matt Rademacher, in his first year as a volunteer assistant coach at Air Force, will arrive in Madison with great knowledge of the Northwoods League. Rademacher was a catcher for the Alexandria Beetles for four years from 2003 to 2006 where he set team records in walks, hits, and games played. He attended the University of Michigan from 2003 to 2005 before transferring to Coastal Carolina University for two seasons from 2006-07. At CCU, Rademacher was a First-Team All Big South Selection in 2007.

He then played one season for the Traverse City Beach Bums in the independent Frontier League and went on to throw out 42 percent of potential base stealers.

“It’s certainly an advantage to have two assistant coaches who have extensive knowledge of the Northwoods League and can relay their experiences to players this summer,” Mallards Manager C.J. Thieleke said. “Getting the most out of a summer collegiate baseball team is all about putting players in the best positions to succeed, and I believe we have the personnel in place to do just that.”

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Opening Day is slated for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Season and group tickets are now on-sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at 608.246.4277.

MLB Legend Bill Buckner To Be Featured Speaker At 3rd Annual Gold Sox Faith Night

From the Marysville Gold Sox
The Marysville Gold Sox (Horizon Air Summer Series) have announced that former major league star Bill Buckner has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the club's third annual Faith Night presented by the Yuba-Sutter Christian Business Alliance.

Buckner, who played for the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Angels and Royals in over 20 years in the big leagues collected over 2700 hits and was named to the 1981 National League All Star team.

However, despite his near Hall of Fame career, he has gained infamy for his error while playing first base for the Red Sox during Game Six of the 1986 World Series.

In addition to Buckner's presentation, Faith Night will include in- stadium community exhibits, a pre-game concert and a game between the Gold Sox and the Nor Cal Longhorns.


Contact: Tom Lininger 530-741-9440

Former Athens Pirates star Dan Paolini hit his 16th home run of the season breaking the Siena College single season record set by Steve Borg in 1985. Paolini leads the MACC in home runs. Paolini led the Great South League in RBI last summer and was tied with the HR lead. The Athens Pirates are members of the Great South League (www.greatsouthleague.com) with 19 teams in 6 states.

Checking In On The Big Train 2010 Catchers

The 2009 version of the Bethesda Big Train finished their season by winning the Cal Ripken League title and being ranked as the #8th best summer league in the country. If the Big Train want to remain as one of the top teams in the country, the following catchers will all have to contribute this summer.

Cody Freeman is a 6-0/190 pound junior from Mississippi State University. He is from Collinsville, MS and will be returning to Bethesda for his 2nd stint with the Big Train.  Currently, Cody is hitting .284 in 95 at-bats.  He has hit 6 doubles, 3 home runs and has driven in 23 runners this season.  He has walked 12 times, struck out 20 times and has a .977 fielding percentage.  As a member of the 2009 team, Cody hit .321-1-17 in 56 at-bats.

Mason Morioka is a sophomore from the University of San Fransisco by way of Torrance, CA.  He is 5-10/180 pounds and is currently hitting .286 in 35 at-bats for the Dons.  He has hit 5 doubles, driven in 4 runners and has a .983 fielding percentage this summer.

Seth Williams is a catcher/pitcher from Michigan State University.  He will (more or less) be returning home this summer since he is from Alexandria, VA.  He is now hitting .064 in 33 at-bats for the Spartans.

Reynolds Named NL Player of the Week

From the Coastal Plain League
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds (photo courtesy of the Jonathan Willey/Arizona Diamondbacks) was named the National League Player of the Week (April 19-25) on Monday.

The former Fayetteville SwampDog batted .421 on the week with three home runs and a league-leading 11 RBIs. Reynolds efforts were highlighted by his performance on Sunday, where he helped lead the Diamondbacks to a series-clinching win over Philadelphia. In that game, he went 3-for-5 with a homer, a pair of runs scored and four RBIs.

This is the third time Reynolds has been honored as the NL Player of the Week, having also received the award during weeks in June and August of 2009.

While with the SwampDogs in 2003, Reynolds batted .196 through 16 games. He tallied a double, three bombs, 10 runs scored and nine RBIs.

After his collegiate days at Virginia, he was drafted in the 16th round of the 2004 MLB Amateur draft by the Diamondbacks. After making it to the Double-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks, the Mobile BayBears, where he hit .306 through 34 games with six homers, Reynolds got the call from the big club in May of 2007.

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 700 alumni drafted and 35 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com.

River Bats bolster roster, coaching staff

From the St. Cloud River Bats
With the 2010 Northwoods League season just weeks away, the St. Cloud River Bats announced additions to its roster and coaching staff. First baseman Devin Rodriguez (Cal-Berkeley) and right-hander Austen Wisroth (Wayne State) will join the club in June while Wayne Daman (Washington State) and Eric Hoffmann (North Dakota) have been added to the Gabe Boruff's coaching staff.

The six-foot, two-inch Rodriguez has made nine starts for the Golden Bears this spring; the freshman is hitting .324 with one home run and nine RBIs in 34 at-bats. In his first collegiate game on Feb.19, the left-handed swinging slugger hit a grand slam. A first baseman by trade, Rodriguez can also play in the outfield.

Wisroth is the Wildcats top pitcher, boasting a team-best 2.54 earned run average in nine appearances and eight starts. The Torrington, Wyo., native has 56 strikeouts and 11 walks in 46 innings of work. Last summer, the righty played for the Cheyenne Grizzlies of the Mountain Collegiate Baseball League and registered 1.85 ERA in five starts.

"It's always a plus when you can bring in players that have summer league experience," River Bats Owner and General Manager Joel Sutherland said. "He is prepared to meet the demands of the Northwoods League."

As for the coaching staff, Hoffmann comes to St. Cloud with three years of Northwoods League experience. He played with the Rochester Honkers in 2005 and won a championship in 2006. Last season, he returned to Rochester as a coach and helped guide the Honkers to their fifth Northwoods League Championship. With the Honkers in '06, Hoffmann hit .246 with no home runs and 16 RBIs in 58 games. In 2008, Hoffmann played independently with the Rockford RiverHawks of the Frontier League. Hoffmann graduated from Northern Iowa in 2008 and is in his second season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of North Dakota.

"Eric knows what it takes to win in this league," Sutherland said of Hoffmann, who will work with the hitters. "His energy and knowledge will be extremely valuable for our club."

Joining Hoffmann will be Wayne Daman, a 2007 graduate of Washington State. The former right-hander is now a graduate assistant with Cougars. Following his stint with the Cougars, Daman signed a free agent contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Daman spent two minor league seasons in the Cardinals organization and finished with the Palm Beach Cardinals of the Florida State League (High-A). Daman will work with River Bats pitchers.

"It's important to have continuity on a coaching staff," Sutherland said. "Gabe and Wayne have forged a relationship at WSU and will do the same with our club this summer."

St. Cloud begins its 2010 season on June 3 against the Willmar Stingers. It's first home game will be June 5 against the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers. You can currently order tickets and purchase merchandise on the revamped www.riverbats.com.

Diamaduros to Return to Forest City in 2010

From the Coastal Plain League
The Forest City Owls announced today the resigning of first baseman Konstantine Diamaduros for the 2010 season. Diamaduros is a sophomore at Wofford College and was the Coastal Plain League batting champion for the Owls last season.

For the Owls last year Diamaduros hit .376, tops in the CPL, with 45 RBIs, four home runs, and 11 doubles. His batting average is also the highest for a single season in franchise history. He started 46 games and appeared in 49 contests, primarily splitting time at first base and as the designated hitter. He shared that role with Brian Burton, who also will return to Forest City this summer.

“We are extremely excited to have Konstantine return for a second season with the Owls” said Owls general manager James Wolfe. “To have the reigning CPL batting champion return will be a tremendous boost to our roster this year.”

Diamaduros will play at McNair Field Wednesday April 28 when the Wofford Terriers take on the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs at 6 pm. Gates open at 5 pm and tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors, and are included in season ticket and bonus books plans.

The Forest City Owls are the reigning Coastal Plain League Petitt Cup Champions. 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 700 alumni drafted and 35 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com.

Blues Sign Cal State Fullerton Outfielder

The San Luis Blues of the California Collegiate League have signed Cal State Fullerton freshman outfielder Austin Kingsolver.  Austin is 6-0/175 pounds and is from Dana Point, CA.  To date, he is hitting .237 in 59 at-bats.  He has hit 2 doubles, stolen 7 bases and scored 6 runs for the Titans.

Big 12 Products Sign with Generals

From the Victoria Generals
April, 27 2010 – The Victoria Generals have announced the signing of two infielders with ties to the Big 12 Conference. Kenny Jackson, a junior at Texas A&M University, will return for the Generals this summer along with newcomer Conner Mach, a sophomore from the University of Missouri.

“These two certainly fit the mold for the type of players we want to represent our organization,” said Blake Koch, Victoria’s general manager. “Kenny and Conner are both great ballplayers that possess the ability level that it takes to play professional baseball. They are also outstanding young men that will represent our community well.”

Last summer, Jackson was named a First-Team All-Texas Collegiate League performer at shortstop for the Generals. Jackson posted a .256 batting average with 30 hits, two doubles, a home run, and 18 RBIs all while becoming well known as the best all-around defensive infielder in the TCL.

“Jackson has an uncommon mix of God-given talent and hard work that make him a special defensive player,” said Koch. “He’s one of the best defensive infielders that I’ve ever seen at the collegiate level.”

Before transferring to Texas A&M, Jackson played with Generals teammate Mark Hudson, the 2009 TCL MVP and Victoria native, at Alvin Community College where they helped lead the Dolphins to the Region XIV Conference Championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2008 JUCO World Series. Jackson was a First-Team All-Conference shortstop as a sophomore at Alvin where he hit .376 with six home runs and 41 RBIs.

Jackson, a native of Corpus Christi, is currently hitting .295 as the starting first baseman for the Aggies with 28 hits, 18 runs, three doubles, and seven RBIs.

Joining Jackson in Victoria this summer will be Conner Mach, a sophomore from the University of Missouri. As a freshman, Mach hit .246 with six doubles, two home runs, and 17 RBIs as he saw action primarily at second base for the Tigers. Mach, a native of Chesterfield, Missouri, played in the Cape Cod Baseball League last summer for the Falmouth Commodores. Mach’s older brother, Kyle, graduated from Missouri last year and was drafted in the 27th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the San Francisco Giants.

“Conner was a big time prospect coming out of high school,” commented Koch. “He had several Big 12 programs after him and chose to stay close to home to attend Missouri.”

Mach was a two-time all-state selection for Parkway West High School where he had a career batting average of .465 with 27 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 38 stolen bases.

General’s fans can purchase 2010 season tickets and buy team merchandise by calling 361-485-9522, visiting www.VictoriaGenerals.com, or stopping by the team store located at 3708 North Navarro, Suite A in the Landmark Shopping Center. The Generals season begins at 7:05pm on June 1 at Riverside Stadium against the Texas Tomcats.

Checking In On The Tomcats Pitching Staff

The Riverhead Tomcats compete in the Hamptons Division of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.  So far, they have signed 11 pitchers for the 2010 summer season.

Michael Zaccardo is a freshman RHP from the #20 ranked University of Connecticut.  He is currently 2-0, with a 4.38 in 12.1 innings pitched.  He has appeared in 8 games and has fanned 8 batters this season.

Cooper Smith is a freshman RHP from Brown by way of New Rochelle, NY.  He is 0-1, with a 14.54 era in 13 innings of work.  He has made 3 starts and has struck out 10 batters this season.

Chris Pabisch is a sophomore LHP from Adelphi University.  He is 1-2, with a very nice 3.54 era in 28 innings pitched.  He has made 5 starts, walked 13 batters and fanned 21 this season.

Jimmy Powers is a freshman RHP from Temple University by way of Jamesport, NY.  He has yet to see action this season.

Thor Miller is a freshman LHP from Stony Brook.  He has a 10.00 era in 9 innings pitched.

Chris Taylor is a freshman RHP from Rider University.  He is 1-0, with a 10.05 era in 17 innings of work.  He has made 4 starts and has struck out 5 batters.

Jack Lane is a 6-10 sophomore from UNC-Wilmington.  He has not played this season.

Stephen Oswald is a sophomore OF/P from George Washington University.  He has a 4.35 era in 10.1 innings of work.  He has made 10 appearances, saved 1 game and has fanned 9 batters this year.

Dom Macaluso is a sophomore from St. Peter's University.  He is 3-6, with a 5.67 era in a team-high 54 innings pitched.  He has made 10 starts, completed 4 of those games and has fanned 37 batters.

Kevin Needham is a freshman RHP/1B from St. John's University.  He has not played this season.

Joey Novak is a freshman RHP from Harvard.  He is currently 1-2, with a 9.89 in 23.2 innings pitched.  He has also struck out 25 batters this year.

Joe Holtmeyer Throws a No Hitter

From the Swift Current Indians
Swift Current Indian right handed pitcher Joe Holtmeyer just threw a no-hitter Saturday for the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Joe finished the game not only with a no-hitter but he also broke the University of Nebraska-Omaha single season strikeout record. Joe was dominant the entire game finishing the day with 12 strikeouts sending his season total to 124 strikeouts in just 68.2 innings. The win moves Joe’s record to 8-1 on the season. He currently holds a 1.57 era and is holding opposing batters to a stingy .114 batting average. Joe has come close to pitching a no-hitter earlier this season; three times he has pitched one-hitters. Another Swift Current Indian also played in the game for the Mavericks. Brady Hohl went 1-3 with a RBI in the leadoff spot. Brady is now batting .361 with 9 doubles, 2 triples and an on-base percentage of .428. The Mavericks won the game 8-1 and are now 30-14 on the season. The Swift Current Indians would like to congratulate Joe and are excited that both of these players will be in Swift Current this summer. Opening day is May 31 at Mitchell Field in Swift Current.

Madison Mallards promotional schedule revealed

From the Madison Mallards
Madison, WI – April 23, 2010. The Madison Mallards have announced the team’s promotional schedule, and it includes a number of great giveaways and entertainment, including Pepsi-sponsored Whiplash, a hilarious dog-riding monkey routine as seen on Taco John’s commercials, seven bobblehead nights, and five fireworks shows.

The team’s tenth season in Madison will begin on Wednesday, June 2 at 7:05 p.m. with the first 1,000 fans receiving a “Duck Pond” Stadium Replica courtesy of West Bend that also instantly becomes the envy of your officemates and shouldn’t be left unattended.

Five fireworks shows will keep fans waiting until the last out in the ninth, including the granddaddy of them all—Rhythm and Booms on Saturday, July 3. Other dates and sponsors of the four other Saturday shows are: June 5 (bd’s Mongolian Grill), June 12 (TDS), June 19 (Hy-Vee), and July 24 (Budweiser).

On Saturday, July 31, a post-game Pink Floyd laser light show will mesmerize fans’ eyes with the single “Comfortably Numb” bound to play over the revamped speakers.
Highlighting the Mallards’ 2010 giveaways is the aforementioned seven-part bobblehead series that will include a red-bearded “Leprechaun Maynard” on The Great Dane Summertime St. Patty’s Day on Thursday, July 8, a Dr. Jay Hazen Dentistry for Madison Glow-in-the-Dark Bobble Boy, whose teeth really glow, on Friday, July 30, and a long overdue Mallards Owner Steve Schmitt Bobblehead presented by TDS on Thursday, August 5.

The team will also hand out 250 Duluth Trading Company Longtail T-Shirts on “Fix Plumber’s Butt” Night, Saturday, June 5, and one apple to the first 1,000 fans on Sunday, August 15 courtesy of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Other highlights include “What if?” Night on Saturday, June 19 with the Mallards paying tribute to the fact the team was almost named the “Madison Moo” in 2001. Special “Moo” uniforms will be worn by players and sold in a silent auction benefiting the Madison Children’s Museum. Other contributors to this surprise-filled evening include Madison.com, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, and Carr Valley Cheese.

Also returning for a third year is Star Wars Night on Friday, June 4, this time featuring an appearance by Jake Lloyd who played Anakin Skywalker in the movies.

Last, and certainly not least, Hall of Famer Robin Yount will visit the “Duck Pond” on Friday, August 13 to headline the team’s fifth MLB/Mallards Alumni Game presented by West Bend. Yount will sign autographs pre-game only, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The regular season will conclude on Monday, August 16, on Fan Appreciation Night presented by the Mallards Founding Partners with all fans receiving a team poster.

Please visit Mallardsbaseball.com all season long for a look at the team’s promotional schedule.

The Madison Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Opening Day is slated for Wednesday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Season and group tickets are now on-sale and can be purchased by calling the box office at 608.246.4277.

Thunder Sign West Alabama Outfielder

The Tupelo Thunder of the Cotton States Baseball League have signed Lige Mitchell from West Alabama.  Lige is a junior outfielder from Pontotoc, MS.  He finished this season by hitting .240 in 75 at-bats.  He also stole 5 bases for the Tigers.

Florida League Launches New Site

From the Florida Collegiate Summer League
For the 2010 season, the Florida League has launched a new and improved website for its fans. The site, officially unveiled in early April, offers a new design that will improve the look and functionality for its users. A new navigation bar across the top will make searching much easier and new team pages will allow you to view all the roster and statistics updates that occur throughout the season. The season itself is not far off and the 2010 schedules have been posted, with some exciting news for this season. For the first time, the Florida League will implement a three game series format for the league championship, with Tropicana Field playing host for the opening game. Visit www.floridaleague.com to check out the new site and stay up to date with your favorite Florida League information.

The Leesburg Lightning have also launched an improved version of their team website at www.leesburglightning.com. The site itself was launched last season but has received a visual facelift for 2010, courtesy of Xclnt Design. It features everything fans want to know about the Lightning and their prospects for success in 2010. General Manager Bruce Ericson and the Leesburg Lightning Advisory Board will also be returning to bring back the great promotional nights to Leesburg in order to keep it as one of the best venues in the country to watch summer collegiate baseball.

Final staffing arrangements for our other teams are also underway and the new Florida League General Managers have been hard at work to bring you the best baseball experience available this summer. The Mavericks, who have moved to Orlando for the upcoming season, will have Jonathan Wano as their GM. Wano has some experience with the Florida League as a former Winter Park Diamond Dawg. He is a graduate and four year letter-winner from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He also works with 3H Sports as a pitching instructor for younger players. Wano is excited to bring Florida League baseball to the greater Orlando area in 2010.

Marc Wassum, the 2010 GM of the Sanford River Rats, also has some history as a player with the Florida League. Wassum played for three different teams in the Florida League from 2004-2006: the Barracudas, Shockers and the Diamond Dawgs. He graduated from Mars Hill College, where he was a baseball standout for two seasons, with a degree in Business Adminstration. Marc is a part of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce and is involved with the Ambassador's and Education Committees. He also participates in the Lake Mary Toastmasters Club.

James Stem, a graduate of Winthrop University and a former front office intern for the Florida League, will take over the role as GM for the DeLand Suns. Stem graduated with a degree in Sports Management and also served as the team manager for the Winthrop Baseball Team for three semesters. He also serves as a DeLand Chamber of Commerce member and ambassador. The Suns will once again call The City of DeLand's Conrad Park (Stetson) home for the upcoming season.

Last but not least, the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs have added Cheryl Lacey as their GM for the upcoming season. Lacey graduated with a finance degree from the University of Central Florida and is a passionate fan of the game of baseball. She is also heavily involved in the Winter Park community as a member of the city's Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of the Orlando Runner's Club.

Season tickets are available for the upcoming summer season! Call the Florida League at 321-206-9174 or contact info@floridaleague.com for ticket packages.

Sox Sign Player Out Of Japan

From the Marysville Gold Sox
The Marysville Gold Sox (Horizon Air Summer Series)
announced today that they have signed Toma Irokawa from Sendai University in Shibata, Miyagi, Japan for the 2010 season.

The 5' 10 switch hitting infielder will be the first Japanese college player to suit up for the Gold Sox.

Irokawa is expected to see playing time at 2nd and 3rd base for the club.

The Gold Sox start their 8th season on May 27th when they take on the Redding Colt 45's at Appeal-Democrat Park in Marysville, California.

Gates open at 6:00 pm. Game time is 7:00pm

Magner Named The National Player of the Week By Louisville Slugger

Former Edenton Steamer and current University of North Dakota junior first baseman Jake Magner has been named the National Player of the Week by Louisville Slugger.  He made history in the 2nd game of a doubleheader against New York Tech when he hit four home runs and had nine rbi's.  He finished the doubleheader with six home runs and 13 runs batted in.  You can read the press release here. Back in October, Jake answered four quick question for the blog.  You can read the interview here.

Wimmers Worth Watching As Buckeye Ace

From OhioState.scout.com
The stands in Bill Davis Stadium often seem a bit fuller the Friday night before the Ohio State spring game as those in town decide to catch a cheap ball game on a nice evening.

Those who decide to take that plunge this year will see a likely first-round draft pick on the hill tonight in Ohio State’s electric Alex Wimmers.  Read the rest here.

Mitchell Returns for Third Season!

From the Rochester Honkers
(Rochester, MN)-- The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today that right-handed pitcher, Bret Mitchell, a member of the 2009 NWL Championship Team, will return for his third season with the Rochester Honkers.

Mitchell, a 6’2” 185-pound junior from Minnesota State University, Mankato, is currently 8-2 with a 4.65 ERA for the Mavericks. He has pitched 62.0 innings, striking out 77 and holding opponents to a .239 batting average against. Mitchell tied a season high 11 strikeout performance on Sunday when he guided his team to an 11-4 win over Wayne State. Minnesota State is currently ranked #21 in the country for NCAA Division II schools.

Last summer for the Rochester Honkers, Mitchell was 1-3 with a 3.80 ERA. He pitched 68.2 innings, striking out 60 and holding opponents to a .268 batting average against. Mitchell started game 1 of the NWL Championship Series vs. La Crosse, earning the 7-2 win. Mitchell went 7.0 innings, scattering 5 hits, striking out 4 and allowing only 1 earned run.

Mitchell, a Lakeview, MN native, spent his first two years of collegiate baseball playing at Iowa Central Community College. He finished his two seasons there 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA, striking out 71 in 61 innings. He also pitched 5 complete games and two shutouts.

The Rochester Honkers 17th season begins on June 2nd when they travel to Mankato, MN for a 7:05pm start. Their home opener is Thursday, June 3rd against Mankato at Mayo Field starting at 7:05pm. Season Tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information.

Two Cardinal Pitchers Heading To New Bedford

Two pitchers from Stanford University will be heading to the east coast this summer to play for the New Bedford Bay Sox.  Sahil Bloom is a 6-2/205 pound freshman RHP from Weston, MA.  He currently has not allowed a run in his 3.2 innings of work. Elliott Byers is a sophomore RHP from Scranton, PA. Elliott has a 9.00 era in 2 innings pitched.  He pitched for the Amsterdam Mohawks last summer.  He went 1-0, and had a 2.40 era in 15 innings pitched.

River Rats Sign High Point Pitcher

The Sanford River Rats of the Florida Collegiate Summer League have signed freshman pitcher Zach Haile for this upcoming summer season.  Zach is 6-3/165 pounds and hails from Longwood, FL.  He is currently 2-2, with a 6.33 era in 27 innings pitched.  He has made 12 appearances (5 starts), walked 11 batters and has fanned 15 this season.

Catching Up With...Rye Davis (Elmira '08)

From the NYCBL Blog
Though the history of the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s Elmira Pioneers has been relatively short (2006-current), the franchise has had no shortage of great pitchers. Over the previous four years, the Pioneers have had four first team all-league hurlers including current Major League farm hands Cody Eppley (’06) and Shane Wolf (’07) as well as 2010 draft prospect Cory Pappel (’09). However the franchise single season wins leader is currently a relief pitcher, Western Kentucky red shirt sophomore Rye Davis (’08).  Read the rest here.

Huskies Alum Hughes Makes Major League Debut

From the Northwoods League
(BOSTON, MA) Baltimore Orioles’ first baseman Rhyne Hughes, 26, made his Major League debut Saturday in the Orioles’ 7-6 loss against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The former Duluth Huskies player started at first base, batted eighth, and delivered an RBI-single off of John Lackey in his first at-bat. He concluded his weekend on Sunday by driving in the eventual game-winning run with a 10th inning single in Baltimore’s 7-6 victory. Hughes had a pair of hits in each game going 4-for-9 with a double and two RBI.

Hughes was off to a hot start at Triple-A Norfolk of the International League before getting the call to the big leagues late Friday. He was batting .353 with three home runs and 11 RBI in his first 53 at-bats this season and had a league-high 11-game hitting streak. The fast start came after a good spring training where Hughes hit .316 for Baltimore and was tied for second on the team with three home runs in just 19 at-bats.

Hughes, originally from Picayune, Mississippi, played briefly in the Northwoods League before signing his professional contract. He collected three hits in 18 at-bats for the 2004 Duluth Huskies. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ organization who had drafted Hughes in the 8th round out of Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss.

Standing at 6’2” 215 pounds, the left-handed hitting and throwing first baseman/outfielder Hughes could continue to see regular playing time for Baltimore. With three wins and 16 losses, the Orioles have the worst record in baseball by four games and their regular first baseman Garrett Atkins is batting .220.

The Orioles acquired Hughes from the Rays in a 2009 trade involving catcher Gregg Zaun.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. A total of 62 NWL alumni have gone on to play in the big leagues.

Marlins Hire Kean as Broadcaster

From the Coastal Plain League
The Morehead City Marlins announced today that they have selected Zander Kean to be the team’s broadcaster for the 2010 season.

Kean will serve as the Marlins’ Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations, acting as a liaison between the team and the greater Morehead City community. He will also broadcast each of the Marlins’ home games via the Coastal Plain League’s online CPL WebPass service.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Marlins’ family,” Kean said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help the Marlins establish themselves in the Morehead City community.”

Kean will graduate from the University of Miami in May with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Sport Administration. While in Coral Gables, he broadcast ‘Canes baseball, football and basketball games for the school’s student radio station, WVUM. He also covered Hurricane athletics for UMTV, the student television station at UM.

A native of Amesbury, Mass., Kean previously served as a media relations intern with both the North Shore Navigators of the New England Collegiate Baseball League and the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

Zander comes to Morehead City with a great deal of summer collegiate experience. I think he is going to be a great addition to our front office staff for the summer,” said General Manager Christopher Marmo.

The Morehead City Marlins are the newest member of the Coastal Plain League. The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest 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 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.

Pullyblank enjoying a wild pitching ride

From the Daily News Online
BUFFALO -- The love of baseball has taken Brian Pullyblank many places.

And rest assured, because of that passion, not many players have logged more miles on the college circuit than Pullyblank has.

The former Caledonia-Mumford pitching star has gone from LeMoyne College, to Monroe Community College, to Louisiana-Monroe, to Southern Illinois University, and now his career has come to its final destination at the University of Buffalo.

The six-foot, 200-pound senior is enjoying his final season on the college diamond.  Read the rest here.

'Cats get Canadian

From Tb News Watch.com
(photo is courtesy of Scott Paradis)

The roster isn’t complete, but already the Border Cats expect to feature at least seven Canadian players when they hit the field June 2.

This year’s Canadian content is a big jump from last season and a team record. The club typically features one or two Canadian players a season. Brad Jorgenson, Border Cats owner and general manager, said the jump in Canadian talent has to do with the team’s manager Mike Steed, who served as the team’s assistance coach last season.  Read the rest here.

Redbirds Bring Back Hardee

The Asheville Redbirds of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League will bring back Dalton Hardee for this upcoming summer season.  Dalton is a junior 3B from Mars Hill College.  He is 5-11/168 pounds and hails from Boone, NC.  He is currently hitting .297 in 128 at-bats this year.  He has also hit 1 home run and driven in 29 runners.  As a member of the Redbirds in 2009, he hit .278, with 2 home runs and 19 rbi's.

Former Woodchuck Breaks School Doubles Record

Former Wisconsin Woodchuck (2008) and current High Point University senior, Matt Gantner hit his 22nd double of the season in Saturday nights win over UNC-Asheville.  According to the High Point press release:

“It is an honor to break the record,” Gantner said. “Hopefully I can continue to play well and the team can continue to play well and I can expand on it

You can read the full press release here.

7 Returners Highlight 2010 Roster

From the Duluth Huskies
The 2010 season will see some familiar faces donning the navy-blue and forest-green of the Duluth Huskies. Seven players return to Duluth after spending the 2009 season with the club and will help provide a strong core of leadership as the team transitions to a new style of play under Field Manager Daniel Hersey. Hersey returns to the Huskies for his first year as Field Manager, after spending 2006 as the club's Pitching Coach.

Chris Jensen (RHP, University of San Diego), Drew Benes (RHP, Arkansas State University), Scott Sommerfeld (OF, University of Missouri), Jerico Weitzel (INF, University of Florida), Jeff Reynolds (INF, Harvard University), Cody Asche (INF, University of Nebraska) and Pete Cappetta (OF/INF, University of Illinois) each return for their second season with the team. Each of these players brought skills, leadership and a positive attitude in the 2009 season and will be positive additions to the 2010 roster.

Chris Jensen, a redshirt freshman from Gilbert, AZ, was arguably one of the most relied upon pitchers for the Huskies last season. His versatility as both a starter and a reliever combined with his fiery competitiveness on the mound made him both a fan favorite and one of the leaders of the pitching staff. Jensen's 46 strikeouts were good enough for second on the team, and his 14 walks in 51.2 innings showed the command needed of a pitcher in a wood bat league.

Drew Benes, another player looking to build off of a solid 2009 season, will settle into his role as a full time pitcher in the 2010 season. Formerly a dual-role player playing the field as well as pitching, Benes will spend his second season in the Northwoods League A team leader on the field and in the clubhouse, his leadership will be instrumental in the Huskies' 2010 season.

A promising young outfielder, Scott Sommerfeld, is coming off of a 2009 season where he battled through a few injuries. Now healthy he will provide outfield depth and some power at the plate. Sommerfeld was a 45th round selection of the Cleveland Indians in 2009.

Relentless tenacity and immense hustle along with a strong defensive acumen made Weitzel an immediate fan favorite. His .248 batting average was fourth on the team in 2009. His glove and knack for making the timely play will again be relied upon to help out the Huskies in 2010.

Jeff Reynolds joined the Huskies late in the 2009 season, but his short time with the club made quite an impression. His versatility makes him a valuable player in the Northwoods League and as a member of the Duluth Huskies.

Cody Asche's 2009 summer ended early with a wrist injury, however this power hitting infielder will return to Duluth this season.

Another versatile player returning to the Huskies is Pete Cappetta. This infield/outfield utility player was one of the hardest working Huskies in 2009 and the organization is thrilled to have him back in 2010. His 16 stolen bases led the Huskies on the basepaths in 2009 and also led the team with a .369 on base percentage.

With seven returners and a fresh roster the 2010 season is looking strong for the Huskies. The team will open the season in Thunder Bay June 2nd-4th. The team will then head to Willmar to face the Northwoods League newcomers the Willmar Stingers, before returning home for the June 7th Home Opener at Wade Municipal Stadium.

Versatile LSU Infielder Signs with ‘Chucks

From the Wisconsin Woodchucks
(photo is courtesy of LSU Athletics)

Wausau, WI - April 19, 2010 - The Wisconsin Woodchucks have announced the signing of Louisiana State University infielder/catcher Grant Dozar for the 2010 summer. Dozar, 19, is a rising sophomore for the reigning NCAA champion Tigers who are 30-6 on the year and ranked #5 in the nation according to the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Poll.

Dozar (5’10”, 180 lb.) hails from Morgan City, Louisiana, where he was a three-time All-State and Academic All-State selection. At Morgan City High Dozar posted a .500 batting average and a 1.25 earned run average on the mound, after garnering pre-season All-American accolades.

Dozar brings to the ‘Chucks an experience most couldn’t dream of- winning a National Championship. “Oh it was unbelievable, it was out of my wildest dreams to actually go play in Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, and then actually win the whole thing,” said Dozar when asked about his College World Series experience. “Last year’s team, those guys were as good as it gets, and to be a part of something like that was really special.”

This year at Louisiana State, Dozar is showing off his remarkable versatility and his impressive bat. Through 20 appearances, Dozar has a .352 batting average with a .963 OPS, while also giving third base a try. Dozar has been groomed as the successor to Micah Gibbs at catcher since a position switch his freshman year at LSU. However, playing time is usually scarce behind the team’s best player, so in the meantime Dozar has tried his hand at 1B, 3B, and DH for LSU coach Paul Mainieri.

Dozar created headlines over this past weekend after hitting a walk-off homerun in the 14th inning on Sunday. His clutch hitting led LSU to a series sweep of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Prior to his walk-off bomb in the 14th, Dozar sent the game into extra innings with an RBI single in the 9th inning.

Dozar’s athleticism, versatility, and prowess at the plate should prove to be a valuable tool for a Woodchucks team fixed on bringing home a Northwoods League title in 2010. Added Dozar: “I’m looking forward to playing in some nice weather (in Wisconsin) and getting out of this 90-degree heat that we have down here in Louisiana summers.”

The Wisconsin Woodchucks are a member of the prestigious Northwoods League, a college wood bat summer league featuring players from across the country. Baseball America named the Northwoods League as one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the country. The Woodchucks 2010 home opener is on Thursday, June 3rd as they take on the Madison Mallards. For group outing/ticket information contact the Woodchucks office at 715-845-5055 or visit the Woodchucks website at woodchucks.com.

Checking In On The Walla Walla Sweets Catchers

I believe that it's safe to say that the West Coast League is one of the top summer leagues in the country right now.  A ton of top-notch talent flows through the league.  The Walla Walla Sweets are one of the two new teams in the now 9-team league.  To date, they have signed three catchers for the 2010 season.

Elliot Stewart is a sophomore catcher from Cal Poly by way of West Valley College.  He is 5-10/190 pounds and hails from San Jose.  He is hitting .224 in 67 at-bats, with 2 homers and 6 rbi's.

Josh Daniel is a junior catcher from St. Johns by way of Feather River College.  He is 6-4/200 pounds and is from Lakewood, CO.  He is now hitting .226 in 31 at-bats this season.  He has hit 1 triple, scored 7 runs and driven in 5 this season.

James Stanfield is a sophomore from the University of Kansas.  He is 5-10/179 pounds and is from Owasso, OK.  He is hitting .246 in 122 at-bats this year.  He has scored 23 runs, driven in 18 and has walked 21 times this season.

NYCBL Announces 2010 Schedule

From the New York Collegiate Baseball League
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The New York Collegiate Baseball League is pleased to announce its’ schedule for the 2010 season. The summer collegiate wood-bat circuit features 14 teams spread across upstate New York.

The 42-game regular season schedule begins on Friday, June 4 and runs through Wednesday, July 28 with a rain date of July 29. The 29th annual NYCBL All-Star Game will be played on Monday, July 12, at East Field in Glens Falls, N.Y. The divisional playoffs will commence on Friday, July 30, and conclude with the NYCBL Championship Series in mid-August.

Fourteen NYCBL teams will be split between two divisions and each team will play a schedule containing only divisional opponents.

The Eastern Division features the defending league champion Amsterdam Mohawks, Albany Dutchmen, Cooperstown Hawkeyes, Glens Falls Golden Eagles, Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs, Oneonta Outlaws and Watertown Wizards. The Western Division will be comprised of the Alfred Thunder, Allegany County Nitros, Elmira Pioneers, Geneva Red Wings, Hornell Dodgers, Niagara Power and Webster Yankees.

The New York Collegiate Baseball League, founded in 1979, is a summer collegiate wood-bat league sanctioned by the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball (NACSB) and partially funded by Major League Baseball. The league gives college players who have not yet signed a professional contract the opportunity to develop their skills at a high level of play, gain experience with wood bats and be evaluated by professional scouts. For more information, please visit http://www.nycbl.com

Honkers Pulfer Up Roster

From the Rochester Honkers
(Rochester, MN)-- The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today that Danny Pulfer, a member of the 2009 NWL Championship Team, will return for his second season with the Rochester Honkers.

Pulfer is a 5-10, 190-pound sophomore infielder from the University of Oregon. He is currently hitting .309 with 21 RBIs. Pulfer is leading the squad in doubles (9), slugging pct. (.439), sacrifice bunts (8) and homeruns (3). Pulfer has started every game for the 25-12 Oregon Ducks who are currently ranked #18 in the Nation.

Pulfer hit .257 with 5 doubles and 12 RBIs for the Honkers last summer. He was the team’s starting third baseman, taking over for Tony Thompson (Kansas) who left due to an injury.

The Oregon Ducks and their first ever Top 25 ranking, take on the USC Trojans this weekend at PK Park in Eugene, OR.

The Rochester Honkers 17th season begins on June 2nd when they travel to Mankato, MN for a 7:05pm start. Their home opener is Thursday, June 3rd against Mankato at Mayo Field starting at 7:05pm. Season Tickets, Bonus Books, Suites and Patios are now available. Call the Honkers office at 507-289-1170 for more information.

Generals sign two from WVU

From the Waynesboro Generals
The Waynesboro Generals announced today the signings of catcher Matt Malloy and infielder/outfielder T.J. Kuban from West Virginia University.

Malloy, a 6-0, 200-pound freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio, is hitting .270 with a .336 on-base percentage and .385 slugging percentage with three homers and 13 RBI for the Mountaineers this season.

Kuban, a 6-2, 190-pound freshman from Valencia, Pa., is hitting .125 in 16 at bats for WVU this season.

BV Bombers to offer all you can eat

From the American Chronicle
By Robert Cessna, The Eagle, Bryan, Texas

Apr. 22--The Brazos Valley Bombers are hopeful that fans will listen to their stomachs.

The Bombers are offering a five-game, all-you-can-eat package for $50. The promotion includes all concession food items and soft drinks an hour before first pitch.

The idea is one of many the Texas College League baseball team will try this summer among its 28 home games at the Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark.  Read the rest here.