BUCKS ANNOUNCE 2011 SCHEDULE

From the Waterloo Bucks
Waterloo, IA - The Waterloo Bucks, members of the Northwoods League, have announced their full schedule for the 2011 season. The 17th year of Bucks baseball will feature a 70-game schedule beginning on the road as they face the Battle Creek Bombers on Wednesday, June 1. Waterloo's home opener will be Saturday, June 4 versus the Eau Claire Express at 6:35 pm.

While the Bucks open the season on the road, Waterloo Manager Jason Nell and his squad will close out the '11 crusade at home versus the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Like last year, the 2011 season calls for a 35-game home schedule.

The '11 Bucks home opener will be the start of a five-game home stand, one of three five-game home stands this season. As for the longest road trip of the season, the Bucks have a six-game road swing starting on Friday, July 22. The Bucks will travel to Wausau, Wisconsin to take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks for a three-game series to start the trip. From there, Waterloo travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin to face the Green Bay Bullfrogs for a three-game set.

The final day of the first-half of Northwoods League action will be Wednesday, July 6 when the Bucks host the La Crosse Loggers. The Bucks start the second half on the road versus Battle Creek on Thursday, July 7.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin will be the site of the 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game. This year's contest will take place on Monday, July 18.

Waterloo will finish the 2011 season at home on Sunday, August 14 versus Wisconsin.

This season's league playoffs will begin on Monday, August 15 with two best-of-three divisional series matchups. The divisional winners will then face off for a best-of-three series beginning on Thursday, August 18 to determine the 2011 Northwoods League Champions.

Breaking the home schedule down by days of the week, renovated Riverfront Stadium will be the site of six Sunday games, seven Monday games, four Tuesday games, five Wednesday games, three Thursday games, three Friday games, and seven Saturday games. The Bucks will be home for their traditional Father's Day game (Sunday, June 19 versus Battle Creek) and Independence Day (Monday, July 4 versus La Crosse).

The Bucks will play 15 games at home in the month of June, 15 games at home during the month of July, and five games at home during the month of August. Waterloo will be the home team for 19 games in the first half of the season and home for 16 in the second half.

Home game times for the 2011 season are as follows:

Monday - Saturday games: 6:35 pm CT
Sunday games: 3:05 pm CT
Wednesday, June 29: 1:05 pm CT
Monday, July 4: 4:05 pm CT

Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.

Four Questions With Steve McGuiggan

Photo is courtesy of
the Eau Claire Express

Steve McGuiggan is a Senior outfielder from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He spent this past summer playing for the Eau Claire Express of the Northwoods League. The Apple Valley, MN native helped to lead the Express to the NWL Championship and an eventual #1 ranking this past summer. He hit .278 in 151 at-bats this summer. He also smacked 7 home runs and drove in 27 runners for the Express. He really shined in the playoffs, as he hit .375 and hit 3 home runs. He was also named to the NWL Regular and Post-Season All-Star Team.

Steve answered four questions for us a couple of weeks ago.


Summer Ball--Who was your favorite baseball player when you were younger?
Steve McGuiggan--Kirby Puckett.....because he was a leader and loved being at the park everyday.

SB--What was the best thing about playing for Express this past summer?
SM--Playing with people from all over the country who are striving for the same things as you. It makes it a very special environment.

SB--What are your personal goals for this upcoming season at UIC?
SM--Play to my abilities......If I play hard everyday, I will be where I want to be.

SB--What is your favorite baseball movie?
SM--The Rookie......It makes me keep working hard every day, knowing a big break can come.

Statistical Quick Hit From The 2010 Summer Season

Brent Wagner (Pitcher—Cincinnati Steam/Northern Kentucky)

W-L	ERA	ING	G/GS/CG/SH/SV	Hits	bb/k’s	OBA
0-2	1.83	19.2	8/0/0/0/1	7	10/9	.113

Northwoods League Announces 2011 Schedule

From the Northwoods League
ROCHESTER, Minn. (November 29, 2010) - The Northwoods League has announced the complete schedule for the upcoming 2011 regular season, the League’s 18th season of play.

For the second consecutive year the Northwoods League will use a balanced, 70-game divisional schedule. All teams will play the other seven teams from their division a total of ten times—five times in each half.

The regular season begins on Wednesday, June 1st and concludes on Sunday, August 14th. The first half of the season will be complete at the end of play on Wednesday, July 6th with the second half beginning the following day. The first and second half division winners from both the North and South will meet in a best-of-three Divisional Playoff Series on August 15-17. The North and South Division Champions will then meet in a best-of-three series for the Summer Collegiate World Series on August 18-20.

“We’ll be using the same schedule format as in 2010,” said NWL Director of Operations Curt Carstensen. “There was a lot of positive feedback of how every game seemed to have increased meaning because it was always against a divisional opponent. This led to some good races and additional important late-season matchups,” Carstensen added. “As the League continues to evolve the schedule format may change, but for now what we have is a good fit.”

The 17th Annual Northwoods League All-Star Game will be at Witter Field in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin on Monday, July 18th with festivities beginning on Sunday the 17th.

The Northwoods League is a summer baseball league composed of 16 teams with top college players from across the United States. With a family-oriented atmosphere, the Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. Franchises are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Ontario.

Familiar face joins coaching staff

From the Okotoks Dawgs
The Okotoks Dawgs have added to the organization’s coaching depth by bringing back a familiar face. The club is very pleased to announce that Brandon Newell has agreed to re-join the Dawgs coaching staff.

Newell, a native of Bellingham, Washington, will re-join the Dawgs in February for his second tenure as a coach in the organization. Although his exact assignments have yet to be determined, Brandon will be a major asset wherever he coaches in the organization, bringing his vast array of coaching and playing experience. His playing career began at the University of Washington where he had an outstanding collegiate career as a two-way player. After being named to the Pac-10 All-Conference team, he was drafted by the New York Mets, and spent five years from 1993-96 in their organization as a pitcher, once being named Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

At the end of his playing days, Newell shifted his focus to the coaching and scouting ranks. His coaching career brought him to the Dawgs in 2000, when he was brought in to coach the Dawgs Youth team, then based in Calgary. The Dawgs program enjoyed remarkable success under Newell’s guidance, as the team recorded a stellar 72-8 record producing numerous NCAA stars and MLB draft picks in the process. Standouts on that Dawgs team included Jim Henderson, James Avery, and Emerson Frostad, who are all playing in Major League organizations to this day. Those players all come back to Okotoks to spend their winters coaching in the Dawgs program. Newell will now also be able to work along side Matt Ircandia, a key pitcher on his Dawgs teams in the early 2000’s, and former San Francisco Giants draft pick, who is now the pitching coach for the Junior Dawgs program.

Newell remained with the Dawgs through 2003 when he was the first Director of Baseball Operations for the Dawgs, and Head Coach of the Dawgs first collegiate summer league team to compete the in the Western Major Baseball League. That team, despite losing several to the Major League draft in June, posted a .677 winning percentage and reached the division finals.

In more recent times, Brandon has acted as head coach of his hometown Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League, through 2008. Back when the Bells competed in the Pacific International League, he brought Dawgs youth products Emerson Frostad, Justin Cardinal as well as Vince and Matt Ircandia to Bellingham, and they proceeded to have a spectacular season, going undefeated in the second half of the season, reaching the championship game.

Newell has also spent many years as a scout for the Milwaukee Brewers, a position he holds to this day. In spring training of 2009, the Chicago Cubs released one of Brandon’s products from the Dawgs program, Jim Henderson, when he was coming back from shoulder surgery. Newell is responsible for signing Henderson to a contract with the Brewers, giving a fellow Dawg a second chance in his baseball career.

Dawgs Managing Director John Ircandia offers his thoughts on the addition of Brandon Newell to the club’s coaching staff,

“Brandon along with Dave Robb will be our most experienced coaches and will be a huge asset to the Midget and Bantam Academy Players, our Dawgs camps and clinics as well as our recruiting efforts, both for the Academy program and our collegiate club. Further, his relationships with college coaches will be of great assistance as we attempt to place our graduating Junior Dawgs in the right college programs as they continue their careers and his credibility among MLB scouts and the baseball elite, is unquestioned. Having someone with Brandon’s coaching credentials and baseball contacts represents a huge asset to the Dawgs.”

Newell is excited to come back to the Dawgs organization,

“I am absolutely thrilled to be back with the Dawgs organization. I enjoyed every moment of my time during my first tenure with the Dawgs, and am grateful for a second opportunity. It is an honor to be a part of an organization with such great tradition.”

He talks about his expectations this time around,

“I am very excited when I see the growth of the team in the last few years with respect to the facilities and the incredible community support which has led to the continued on-field success. I look forward to getting back in town and doing whatever is needed to help the Okotoks Dawgs become the premier baseball academy in North America, something I truly believe we can achieve.”

The Dawgs are ecstatic to have Brandon Newell back in the fold. He brings impeccable credentials, and knows ‘The Dawgs Way’ having spent 4 years with the club earlier in his career. We cannot wait to welcome him back in just a couple of months!

Top Performers From 2010--Lee Orr

My next top performer from the 2010 summer season is Lee Orr of the East Texas Pump Jacks. Lee is a 6-3/210 pound outfielder from McNeese State University. He hails from Louise, TX and he attended El Campo High School. Lee is one of the best players in the Southland Conference and he is probably the most prolific home run hitter that you've probably never heard of. In his first two seasons with the Cowboys, Lee has combined to hit 31 home runs. He was drafted by the Reds in the 40th round of the 2010 MLB draft, but he elected to return to McNeese State.

Lee spent this past summer patrolling the outfield for the East Texas Pump Jacks of the Texas Collegiate League. He was simply one of the best hitters in the league. A couple of weeks ago, a National League scout (who is familiar with Lee) told me that:

"Lee was the closest thing to a true five-tool player in the TCL. He can do it all. Don't discount his fielding or arm strength either. He was a pleasure to watch this summer."

Lee hit .284/.518/.381 in 141 at-bats for the Pump Jacks. He scored 38 runs, drove in 15 and he hit 5 home runs. He was second in the league with 14 doubles and he also hit 2 triples this summer. He had a bb/k ratio of 20/43 this summer, and he stole 24 bases for East Texas.

As you can imagine, Lee picked up some hardware this summer. He was named the TCL's Player of the Year for his outstanding summer. He was also named to the All-TCL Team. Lee was selected to participate in the All-Star Game, and he won the home run derby.

Lee was named the 2nd best prospect in the league by Perfect Game, while Baseball America has him ranked as the best prospect in the TCL.  You can view the BA scouting report below:

"Considered the TCL's best overall athlete, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Orr has the potential to be a five-tool player. He runs fast enough and gets good enough reads to project as a center fielder at the next level, but he has enough power to play right field, where his plus arm fits well. More than half of his 40 hits this summer were for extra bases, and he swiped 24 bases in 27 tries, showing off his solid-average speed. But Orr also struck out about once every three at-bats, and he will need to become more disciplined to become a passable hitter at the high levels of professional baseball. He struggles against breaking balls—which also helps explain his 136-62 strikeout-walk mark in his two seasons at McNeese—but he also has legitimate power to all fields, as evidenced by his 31 homers in two college seasons. Orr was a 40th-round pick as a redshirt sophomore this spring, but he could boost his stock significantly if he can show a more mature approach to go along with his nice tool set next spring."

Here are his stats from this past summer:

• .284 Avg
• .518 SLG (3rd in league)
• .381 OBA
• 141 at-bats
• 40 hits
• 38 runs (1st in league)
• 15 rbi's
• 14 doubles (3rd in league)
• 2 triples
• 5 home runs (2nd in league)
• 20 walks
• 43 strikeouts
• 24 stb's (2nd in league) 

Statistical Quick Hit From The 2010 Summer Season

Michael Cleary (Outfield—Elmira Pioneers/Southern Connecticut State)

 

 

AVG/SLG/OBP	ATB	Hits	2b/3b/Hr	Runs/Rbi’s	bb/k’s	STB
.304/.355/.356	138	42	7/0/0	15/21	8/36	2

Four Questions With Kevin Gottleib

Kevin Gottleib is a sophomore LHP from Furman University. He spent this past summer pitching for the #25 ranked North Fork Ospreys of the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League. He had a great summer, and helped to lead the Ospreys to the ACBL title. Kevin went 3-1, and had a 2.25 era in 40 innings of work. He allowed 38 hits, and had a bb/k ratio of 12/31 this summer. He was also selected to participate in the ACBL All-Star Game.

Several weeks ago, Kevin answered four questions for us.

Summer Ball--Who was your favorite baseball player when you were younger?
Kevin Gottleib--Ken Griffey Jr.

SB--What was the best thing about playing for the Ospreys this past summer?
KG--Having great coaches, very laid back, and they let us play the game. Personally, I enjoyed starting again, which I haven't done since high school.

SB--What are your personal goals for this upcoming season?
KG--Be a weekend starter, help our team have a winning record, be a leader, lower my era.

SB--What is your favorite baseball movie?
KG--The Sandlot....classic move about how most kids start their love of the game.

Top 10 Pitchers of All-Time - #6 Austin Todd

From the Kelowna Falcons
The Kelowna Falcons continue with their list of “10 Best Pitchers of All-Time.”

Before the beginning of the 2007 season the Falcons had compiled their best pitching staff to date. The problem was a lack of offense as the team won just 12 games and hit .246, scoring only 133 runs. The staff was highlighted by four left-handed starters; James Paxton, Clayton Dill, Matt Sokolowski and #6 on the list of Best Pitchers of All-Time, Austin Todd from Columbia, Illinois.

Read the rest of this article here.

Statistical Quick Hit From The 2010 Summer Season

Aaron Westlake (Infielder—Chatham Anglers/Vanderbilt)

AVG/SLG/OBP	ATB	Hits	2b/3b/HR	Runs/Rbi’s	BB/K’s	STB
.292/.481/.348	106	31	5/0/5	13/10	8/28	1

Top Performers From 2010--Sam Stafford

My next top performer from the 2010 summer season is Sam Stafford of the Santa Barbara Foresters.  Sam is a 6-4/190 pound left-hander from the University of Texas. He hails from Spring, TX and he attended Klein Collins High School. In 2008, the Boston Red Sox selected Sam in the 40th round of the MLB Draft. Sam had a 2.61 era in 20.2 innings of work for the Longhorns in 2010. He made 7 starts and struck out 29 batters on the season.

Sam returned for his 2nd stint with the Foresters this past summer. In 2009, he went 3-1 and had a 2.74 era in 46 innings of work. This season saw Sam emerge as one of the best pitchers in all of summer ball. He went 1-0, and had a remarkable 0.32 era in 28 innings of work for the #6 ranked Santa Barbara Foresters. In his 6 starts, Sam allowed just 9 hits (all singles) and held his opponents to a .106 batting average. His command has always been an issue for Sam, and he did walk 15 batters this summer, but he did punch out 51 as well. Despite battling back problems, Sam made the most of his one start in the NBC World Series. He picked up a win by throwing 7 solid-innings of 5 hit baseball.

For his outstanding performance while a member of the Foresters, Sam picked up several awards. He was named as the California Collegiate League's Top Pitching Prospect, and he picked up the Eric Pintard Pitcher of the Year Award. He was also named to the CCL-All First Team List.

The scouts at Perfect Game have ranked Sam as the 2nd best prospect in the league, while Baseball America has him ranked as the 4th best prospect in the league. The following is from the PG scouting report on Sam:

"FB was 94, spotted CU for strikes, fanned 60 in 35 inp"

This is from the Baseball America scouting report:

"Stafford has made just 11 appearances in his college career at Texas, including seven starts in 2010. He struck out 29 in 21 innings for the Longhorns but still couldn't break through into a stellar rotation, so he needed the work he got with the Foresters. He dominated again, going 1-0, 0.32 with 51 punchouts and just nine hits allowed—all singles—in 28 innings. Stafford overmatched hitters with two potential plus pitches, a 90-94 mph fastball and power curveball with late depth. At times, Stafford throws more strikes with his curve than with his fastball, and fastball command is the issue for him, as he walked 16. Stafford has a loose arm and a projectable 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame, and there are some very believable reports that he touched 95-96 mph this summer. A stiff back limited his work in the NBC World Series."

Express could return 7-10 players

From the Leader-Telegram
Seven to 10 players from this summer's Northwoods League championship team could return to the Eau Claire Express next season, manager Dale Varsho said Wednesday.

As usual, most of the commitments Varsho has received at this point are verbal. The league eventually must approve all contracts.

Frankly, announcing specifics wouldn't mean much anyway because so much can change between now and summertime. Players can get injured, increase their MLB draft stock and so on. There's still an entire spring season to get through.

Read the rest of this article here.

Dawgs alum dominating in Puerto Rico

From the Okotoks Dawgs
As Okotoks tries to ride out a vicious cold snap, the 2010 baseball season seems like a long time ago. For one Dawgs alumni however, baseball season is just heating up.

Kyler Newby, a native of Las Vegas, Nevada, is a right-handed pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Newby was a member of the Dawgs summer collegiate team in the 2004 season, before he had to leave early to rehab an injury. He is coming off of a very solid 2010 season for the ‘AA’ Mobile BayBears, his sixth season in the Diamondbacks organization, and second in Mobile, and it proved to be a very successful one. Newby saw his numbers improve across the board from last season, while succeeding in various rolls. In 31 games for Mobile this season, including 11 starts, Newby threw 88.2 innings, allowing just 75 hits, and held a strong 3.45 ERA. He also recorded an impressive 104 strikeouts.

The Diamondbacks took notice of his work over the course of the season. After the minor league season finished, Kyler was assigned to the Puerto Rico Professional Baseball League, to throw more innings, and to test himself against the highly competitive lineups that are fielded in the various Caribbean winter leagues. With several established Major League players on each roster in the league, Newby was up for the challenge of pitching to high-level opposition, but did not anticipate what the full experience would bring, “Playing winter ball has been a life changing experience.” Newby explains, “To see how other cultures work is amazing. Other countries value different things than Americans do. It is a reality check to see how spoiled I am.”

The off-field revelation appears to have translated into Newby’s performance on the mound. As of November 24, He has started 5 games for Leones de Ponce (the Ponce Lions) and has dominated every time out. In those 5 starts, Newby has a 2-1 record in 23 innings, while surrendering just 22 hits, and allowing just 3 earned runs for a sparkling 1.17 ERA. Over those 23 innings, he has recorded 17 strike outs, pitching against lineups that feature the likes of Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets, Andres Torres of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, and 12 time MLB All Star, Roberto Alomar.

With the success Newby is enjoying, he is the first to acknowledge that he could not have reached this point without the right people around him. One of the key people in laying the groundwork for his career, Newby says, is Dave Robb. Robb is an integral member of the Dawgs family, as Dawgs Program Head Coach, and Head Coach of the 2010 summer collegiate team. Newby and Robb first met at Mesa Community College in 2003, when Newby was a freshman right hander attending Mesa CC, and Robb was the head coach of the Mesa CC baseball program.

Coach Robb came to the Dawgs to coach the summer collegiate team in 2004, and saw a great opportunity for Newby, so he brought the young talent with him for the summer. The experience Newby says, helped him grow into the player he is today, “When coach Robb and John Ircandia brought me to the Dawgs I was such a young player mentally. Playing in Canada under ‘D.R.’ paved the way for my professional career.” Newby sees his 2004 summer playing for Robb with the Dawgs as an important stepping stone to his professional career “Without my experience with the Dawgs I would have been lost going into pro ball. I am thankful I was given the opportunity to play for the Dawgs.”

Six years later, Newby still keeps in contact with members of the Dawgs organization, and regularly talks with coach Robb, including a visit in Arizona between the 2010 minor league season and the winter league season. Kyler says that Robb is more than a baseball coach, “Knowing ‘D.R.’ and having him as a close friend has been a blessing. He is truly a great person and a great teacher of the game and a life coach! Without people like him, I wouldn't be where I am today!”

As he reflects on what has already been an eventful career, Newby appreciates the value of every step along the way, “Baseball has taken me to a few different countries like Mexico, Canada with the Dawgs, and now Puerto Rico. I have been blessed to go to these places because of the great people this game has brought me in contact with.”

For now, the task is to finish the winter season strong. As of November 24, Ponce holds a record of 11-11, with 26 games to go in the regular season, which wraps up on December 30. The Dawgs are very proud to have Kyler Newby in the Dawgs family, and wish him all the best as his career progresses. The way things are going right now, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in a Major League uniform soon.

BUCKS 2011 HOME OPENER SET FOR JUNE 4

From the Waterloo Bucks
Waterloo, IA - The Waterloo Bucks, members of the Northwoods League, have announced that they will open the 2011 season at the Battle Creek Bombers on Wednesday, June 1. Waterloo's home opener is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 versus the defending Northwoods League Champion Eau Claire Express.

Game time for the season opener in Battle Creek, Michigan will be determined at a later date. This will be second time in the last three seasons, and only the third time in team history, that the Bucks have opened the season on the road.

First pitch for Waterloo's June 4 home opener is slated for 6:35 pm CT. Last season, Manager Jason Nell's squad took the season series versus Eau Claire, winning six of their 10 matchups.

The NWL has also announced that the 2011 All-Star Game will be played in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin on July 18. The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters will host the event, which will also include a fan fest, home run derby, and exhibition game on July 17.

The full 2011 Northwoods League schedule is expected to be released next week. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.

Give a Season for the Season

From the Coastal Plain League
The Morehead City Marlins have begun preparations for the 2011 season already. Last season proved that Puck O’Neal Field at Big Rock Stadium truly has become the place where everyone gets together. With a fantastic 2010 season in the books, the highly anticipated 2011 season will sneak up before you know it. With the holidays right around the corner, the Marlins are offering that perfect gift for that special someone.

If warm socks or another sweater just won’t cut it this year, the Marlins might have what you’ve been searching for. Marlins’ season tickets, merchandise, and gift certificates can now be purchased for the 2011 season. The Marlins are now offering full season packages for 2011as well as general admission ticket books (12 undated tickets). In addition to ticket packages, there are many types of Marlins apparel still available. From hats and shirts, to the new Marlins hooded sweatshirt for the winter months, Marlins gear is a great affordable option for your loved one for the holiday season. Reserve those seats or show your love for Carteret County’s favorite team by wearing the Marlins across your chest.

The Marlins currently have 28 home games scheduled for Big Rock Stadium with all games starting at 7:05pm. The Marlins open the 2011 season at Big Rock Stadium on June 1st and conclude regular season play on August 2nd.

If you have any questions about ticket packages and apparel or would like to purchase a gift, please call our office at (252) 269-9767 or visit http://www.mhcmarlins.com.

The Morehead City Marlins are the newest member of the Coastal Plain League, 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.

Sweets Announce Sale in Conjunction with Donations

From the Walla Walla Sweets
WALLA WALLA, Wa. – The Walla Walla Sweets will be offering an exclusive discount this Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27, for customers who make a donation to the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation or the Pantry Shelf of Walla Walla. 15% off all merchandise will be offered to anyone who brings in a new, unwrapped Christmas present for donation to the Walla Walla chapter of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. The Marines Toys for Tots Foundation collects presents to distribute to needy children in the local community. In 2009, 1,317 toys were distributed to 706 local children, ages 18 and under, in Walla Walla and Columbia Counties.

15% will also be discounted from any customers’ purchase at the Sweets Shoppe with a donation of nonperishable food that will be passed along to the Pantry Shelf of Walla Walla. The Pantry Shelf strives to give extra food to all households in need for the holiday meals. Additional donations can be made to the Pantry Shelf at 325 South First Avenue in Walla Walla, located in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. Current suggested items are stuffing, canned corn or beans, pasta side dishes, box puddings, pickles or olives or boxed potatoes. For more information please call (509) 524-4169.



The Sweets Shoppe will be open on Wednesday, November 24 from 9:30 A.M. through 1:00 P.M., closed on Thanksgiving Day and open from 8:00 A.M through 5:30 P.M. on ‘Black Friday’, November 26. Normal hours will resume on Saturday, November 27.


About the Walla Walla Sweets:

Walla Walla Sweets is a professionally operated baseball club in the West Coast League. It is led by a group of civic-minded individuals with strong ties to the Walla Walla region and to the game of baseball. The Walla Walla Sweets will strive to provide their fans, sponsors, business partners, and investors with the very best in competitive baseball and entertainment, including atmosphere, comfort, food & beverage, safety, competition, fun and value. For more information, please visit www.wallawallasweets.com.



CONTACT:
Walla Walla Sweets
Brett Axelrod
E: brett@wallawallasweets.com
P: 509.522.2255

Madison Mallards to open highly-anticipated 2011 season in the newly-renovated "Duck Pond" on Tuesday, June 7

From the Madison Mallards
It was announced today the Mallards' highly-anticipated home opener in the soon-to-be newly-renovated "Duck Pond" will take place on Tuesday, June 7 at 7:05 p.m. against the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

Six days earlier the Mallards will officially open their eleventh season in the Northwoods League in a contest at Witter Field against the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters on Wednesday, June 1.

After the three-game series in Wisconsin Rapids, the Mallards then travel to La Crosse on June 4 to battle the rival Loggers in a three-game set.

The NWL plans to release each team's full 2011 schedule early next week. Stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com for additional details.

The Mallards are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League and play a 70-game schedule beginning in June 2011.

NECBL adds Groton team

From the Ballpark Digest
Bristol Collegiate (summer collegiate; NECBL) will be moving to Groton, Ct. and set up shop at Fitch High School, thanks to a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor for a ballpark upgrade.

The donation will be used to install lights, press box, seating, fencing and restrooms to the high-school field.

Bristol Collegiate played last season at Muzzy Field, the former home of the New Britain Rock Cats (Class AA; Eastern League) franchise.

Top Performers From 2010--J.T. Odom

My next Top Performer from the 2010 summer season is J.T. Odom of the Lima Locos J.T is a senior right-handed pitcher from Mercer University. J.T. is 6-1/ 190 pounds and hails from St. Mary's, GA. He is an excellent student, and he attended The Bolles School. He has been used primarily as a reliever at Mercer. Last season, he went 2-2 and had an era of 3.38 in 42.2 innings of work. He appeared in 35 games and his 5 saves led the team.

J.T. spent this past summer with the Lima Locos of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. He was the most dominant relief pitcher in the league. He went 3-1, and led the league with a 0.82 era in 33 innings pitched. He allowed just 14 hits, and had an outstanding bb/k ratio of 7/47.  What is most remarkable is the fact that J.T. led the league in strikeouts. He appeared in 21 games, saved 6 of those games and held opponents to a .131 batting average.


For his outstanding performance during the first half of the season, J.T. was selected to participate in the All-Star Game. In his 1 inning of work, he struck out 1 batter. He was also named to the All-GLSCL First Team list.  Perfect Game ranked J.T. as the 17th best prospect in the league, while Baseball America ranked him as the 10th best prospect in the league.  The following is the Baseball America scouting report:

"Not afraid to attack the zone with his sidearm delivery, Odom struck out a league-high 47 hitters in just 33 innings this summer. The 6-foot-1 Odom also led the league with a 0.82 ERA and .131 opponents' batting average and is reminiscent of former Mercer closer Cory Gearrin, who pitches in the Braves system and was a fourth-round pick in 2007. With a hard slider and a moving fastball, Odom kept hitters off balance, and one coach described him as "a nightmare for righties."

Here are his final numbers from this past summer:

• 3-1
• 0.82 era (1st in league)
• 33 inp
• 21 appearances (1st in league)
• 6 saves (tied for 3rd in league)
• 14 hits allowed
• 7 walks
• 47 strikeouts
• .131 opponents avg (1st in league)

Steamers Name Chip Pruden New General Manager

From the Coastal Plain League
The Edenton Steamers Board of Directors have found its general manager in Chip Pruden, former assistant gm of the Wilson Tobs.

Pruden is originally from Wilson, N.C., where he also attended Fike High School. He continued his studies at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., and graduated in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management.

Pruden began his baseball management career in the summer of 2008 as an intern for the Kinston Indians Baseball Club, the high Class A Carolina League affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Over the past two years Pruden has served as the assistant gm for the Wilson Tobs, another Coastal Plain League team in the North Division.

“I am thrilled to be part of the Edenton Steamers’ historic baseball tradition,” Pruden said. “I am looking forward to working alongside the Edenton community and hope to see everyone at Historic Hicks Field this summer.”

The Steamers announced its commitment to return for 2011 after a successful fundraising campaign was launched near the conclusion of the 2010 season. The positive response from the community promised the team will continue to compete and a search was initiated to hire a fulltime general manager to lead the sales and marketing effort and increase team revenue in 2011.

Pruden begins his new position December 1st at the Steamers front office located at 111 East Freemason St. A reception is planned for Thursday, December 2 at the Edenton Coffee House beginning at 4pm. All “Fans Of The Clam” are invited to meet Pruden and enjoy complimentary refreshments, featured Steamers souvenirs, and a first copy of the newly announced summer game schedule.

The Edenton Steamers compete during the summer at Historic Hicks Field in downtown Historic Edenton, North Carolina. Edenton is a member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into 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 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 39 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. For more information on the Edenton Seamers, please visit the team website at http://www.edentonsteamers.com.

Wisconsin Rapids to Host 2011 Northwoods League All-Star Game

From the Northwoods League
The top college baseball talent in the country will grace the confines of Historic Witter Field on July 17th and 18th next summer. The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters, in conjunction with the Northwoods League, announced today that League’s 2011 All-Star Game will be held in Wisconsin Rapids. Marshfield Clinic will sponsor the event, which marks the second year in a row that they will present the Northwoods League mid-summer classic.

The All-Star festivities will begin on Sunday, July 17th with the Marshfield Clinic Home Run Health Fest beginning at 2pm. The Marshfield Clinic Home Run Health Fest will include a fan home run derby contest, autograph session, and other interactive activities. The Marshfield Clinic Home Run Health Fest will be followed by the Northwoods League Home Run Derby beginning at 4pm. Following the Northwoods League Home Run Derby will be an exhibition game featuring the Field of Dreams Ghost Players. The Ghost players will be available for autographs on July 17th.

On Monday, July 18th the Rafters will host a luncheon featuring the All-Stars which will be headlined by a TBD Hall of Fame caliber former Major League Baseball player. The speaker at the luncheon will also be in attendance at the All-Star Game that same evening. The Northwoods League North Division All-Stars will take on the All-Stars from the South Division in the League’s 17th Annual All-Star contest beginning at 7:05pm. The League’s All-Star Game is the premier annual display of elite college baseball talent in the nation. To illustrate the talent at the game, over 50 Major League Baseball scouts attended the 2010 All-Star Game in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Rafters season ticket holders and Solarus Founders Club members will have the first right to purchase tickets for the All-Star events in the two-day affair. A ticket to the All-Star Game on Monday, July 18th will be included in one of the Rafters two Nine Game Packages offered for 2011. Ticket prices for the event will be the same as regular season games.
Additional special ticket packages for season ticket holders will be available, please call the Rafters office at (715) 424-5400 with any questions or for additional pricing information.


About the “Ghost Players”
The “Ghost Players” are a traveling group of dedicated individuals that carry the positive message of the “Field of Dreams”. They perform and spread a unique form of ambassadorship in various places in Europe, Asia and America. The "Ghost Players" represent the players in the “Field of Dreams” and have shared the joy engendered by the movie to delight thousands of people.

AppleSox Finalize 2011 Schedule

From the Wenatchee AppleSox
(Wenatchee, WA)- The Wenatchee AppleSox have put the finishing touches on their 2011 schedule. The expanded West Coast League schedule features 54 league games, six more than in 2010. The AppleSox will also play five non-league opponents to bring the total number of games to 59, which includes 32 homes dates. The AppleSox bid to defend the WCL Championship will begin at home on June 3rd against the Kitsap BlueJackets.

“2011 promises to be another exciting season at Paul Thomas Sr. Field,” said AppleSox general manager Jim Corcoran. “The expanded league schedule means more baseball for our fans and an added value for our season ticket holders.”

The AppleSox will face every team in the WCL six times, with each team playing a three-game series at home and on the road. Each team will also play six additional league games against their natural geographic rivals, the Walla Walla Sweets and the Kelowna Falcons for the AppleSox.

Four of the AppleSox non-league games will be against the Portland Ports and the Portland Toros, members of the WCL Portland, the WCL’s developmental league. The other non-league game will be against the Portland Baseball Club. The AppleSox played the PBC from 2006-2008 when they were known as the Northwest Star Academy.

The West Coast League divisions will remain East and West in 2011, with Bellingham moving to the East, and the expansion Klamath Falls Gems becoming a member of the West. The four team East Division will consist of Wenatchee, Kelowna, Walla Walla, and Bellingham. The five team West Division features Corvallis, Bend, Klamath Falls, Kitsap, and Cowlitz. The playoff structure will remain the same with the best of three-game Divisional Series beginning Friday, August 12th and the WCL Championship Series starting on Tuesday, August 16th.

Single game tickets start at just $6 for adults and $5 for kids. Season tickets are available now and can be purchased by contacting the AppleSox at (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 four out of the last six seasons (2005, 2006, 2009, and 2010). The team plays a 54 game schedule and in 2010 averaged over 1,300 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.

Attached: The Wenatchee AppleSox 2011 schedule calendar.

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

Bethesda Big Train Holds Holiday Auction

From the Bethesda Patch
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dirk Hayhurst bounced around the minor leagues for parts of seven seasons and, at age 29, could be back there unless he proves he's recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out in 2010.

Hayhurst has seen enough ballparks and road tripped on enough busses to last an entire baseball career and to fill the pages of his book, The Bullpen Gospels, a New York Times Best Seller about his experience.

At the Bethesda Big Train Holiday Auction on Sunday, though, Hayhurst remembered back to before that journey began.

Read the rest of this article here.

Statistical Quick Hit From The 2010 Summer Season

Patrick Deao (Outfield—Missouri Southern/Nevada Griffons)

AVG/SLG/OBP	ATB	Hits	2b/3b/hr	Runs/Rbi’s	bb/k’s	STB
.294/.468/.379	109	32	6/2/3	18/18	12/28	3

Back where it started

From the Okotoks Dawgs
The Okotoks Dawgs summer collegiate team still has a marathon off-season ahead, and another Canadian winter is bearing its teeth, but that does not mean baseball is slowing down in Okotoks.

Back in October, the Junior Dawgs Academy Team won the Arizona Fall Classic, and were represented at Instructional Camp for Team Canada’s Junior National Team by catcher Jordan Procyshen. Recently, the JDawgs Bantam Red and Black teams played a series of exhibition games in Arizona, winning 5 games between the two teams, and finally, winter workouts are now in full swing for the JDawgs teams, at the Duvernay Fieldhouse.

Those winter workouts have seen a couple of familiar faces return to the Dawgs. Dawgs alumni Jim Henderson and Emerson Frostad have returned to Okotoks for the winter as guest coaches for the JDawgs; both were standouts in the original class of JDawgs in 1995. Frostad is now a first baseman in the Texas Rangers system, having finished this season with the ‘AAA’ Oklahoma City Redhawks, while Henderson is a right-handed pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, spending 2010 with the ‘AA’ Huntsville Stars.

At the end of September, three weeks after the minor league season concluded, both Frostad and Henderson were off to Puerto Rico to play for Team Canada at the Pan Am/World Cup Qualifier Tournament. Both players have plenty of experience representing their country, as this was Frostad’s sixth time with Team Canada, and Henderson’s fifth time.

Henderson says the feeling of putting on the maple leaf never gets old, “It's an amazing feeling playing for your country. There are many great players around the country, and it is an honour to be selected to represent Canada.” He adds that it is very enjoyable to play with Emerson again, “We haven't played together since the 2000 summer with the Dawgs. It defiantly brought back memories of the days with the Dawgs. It's great that it has come back full circle.”

Canada would finish the tournament at 5-4, good enough for sixth place and a birth in both the Pan Am Games, and the World Cup. Henderson was locked in, appearing in 5 of the team’s 9 games, not allowing a run. Following the tournament, Henderson, Frostad, and Canada teammate Taylor Green enjoyed a well-deserved vacation to unwind after a long season.

It didn’t take long for Jim and Emerson to get back in the game though, as both made their way back to the Dawg Pound in Okotoks to help out their old club by coaching in the JDawgs program for the winter. Henderson says it was a no brainer to come back and help out the Dawgs, “I keep coming back to help the Dawgs in the winter because this is a program that I believe in. I wouldn't be where I'm at today if it wasn't for the Dawgs. It's the least I can do to give back to the program that has given me so much.”

His Dawgs connections have already played a large roll in his professional career, so to give back to the club was a must. In the spring of 2009, Henderson was coming back from shoulder surgery, when the Chicago Cubs released him in spring training. Searching for another organization, former JDawgs coach and Dawgs 2003 summer collegiate manager Brandon Newell gave Henderson his second chance, “When I needed a job, Brandon helped me catch on with the Brewers. I am so thankful to both the Dawgs and Brandon for giving me a second chance in my pro career.”

That was one of countless reasons Henderson and Frostad remains committed to giving back to the program in any way they can. Henderson sees these coaching appearances with the JDawgs as only the start of his giving back to the organization that launched his career, “I wish I could give more to the program. When I'm done playing ball and have more time, I plan on being a big part of the program, helping the Dawgs play a major role in developing Canadian baseball players.”

Henderson played for the Dawgs before the move to Okotoks and the building of Seaman Stadium and the Duvernay Fieldhouse, so when he sees the growth of the program over the last 4 years, he can’t help but be excited about the future of the Dawgs, “It's incredible to see the support that the town of Okotoks has given the Dawgs. As much as Okotoks appreciates the Dawgs, the Dawgs appreciate Okotoks just as much, if not more! Seaman Stadium and Duvernay Fieldhouse are state of the art facilities, and will continue to help develop future Dawgs.”

Jim knows the Dawgs well enough to know that even with the success and the support that the team has received, the organization will never stop striving for better, “The success is a reward for John Ircandia after all his hard work over the years, but there is always room for improvement and John will always be looking for ways to improve the Dawgs program.”

As for the young athletes that Henderson and Frostad are coaching right now, Jim says the facilities and coaches play an important roll, but after a point, it is up to the players themselves, “These kids are very lucky to have the support and facilities here in Okotoks. They have an amazing opportunity to succeed in baseball, but we can only do so much. These kids have to take advantage of whats given to them and work as hard as they can to reach their goals.”

Both players plan on being in Okotoks until the end of January when the focus shifts back to their own playing careers, and the 2011 season.

“Once a Dawg, ALWAYS a DAWG” That is a common saying among the Dawgs family, but Emerson Frostad and Jim Henderson have truly taken it to heart.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD COLLEGE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES NAME-THE-TEAM FINALISTS

From Press Release
Vineyard Haven, Mass. – After receiving a wide variety of name suggestions through the club's "Name the Team" contest, the Martha’s Vineyard summer collegiate baseball club announced on Monday that it had narrowed its selection down to four: the Sharks, Islanders, Osprey and Fighting Clams.

The names were chosen out of hundreds submitted to the club via e-mail. “We received so many excellent suggestions from the Vineyard and from elsewhere, and we’re excited to see that both the island and the rest of the baseball world have taken an interest in the new team,” club CEO Chris Carminucci said.

The name will be announced during the week of November 30, and one fan who submitted the winning name will receive season VIP seats for the 2011 season.


MURPHY HIRED AS VINEYARD BASEBALL GENERAL MANAGER
Vineyard Haven, Mass. – Martha’s Vineyard’s new summer collegiate baseball club announced the hiring of Jerry Murphy as its general manager on Monday. Murphy will be responsible for all of the club’s budgeting, marketing, sales, and promotional efforts, helping to create awareness of the club on the island.

Murphy comes to the club from the business world; most recently, he was a founder and CFO of New Hampshire Energy & Wood Pellets, a renewable energy project. Previously, he was the founder of B4nAfter, a business solutions software company, leading the company from 2003 to 2008. Murphy was also a senior vice president at Stockholm-based Nordea Bank’s New York branch for 22 years.

“We’re looking forward to bringing high-quality baseball to Martha’s Vineyard,” Murphy said. “Our game-day experience will be second to none, and 2011 will be a memorable season.”

A resident of Martha’s Vineyard since 2007, Murphy is a native of the Bronx, N.Y.

Top Performers From 2010--Jonathan Griffin

My next Top Performer from the 2010 summer season is Jonathan Griffin of the Luray Wranglers. Jonathan is a big 6-7/230 pound Senior from the University of Central Florida. Jonathan is from Bradenton, FL and he attended Lakewood Ranch High School. He played JUCO ball at the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota. In 2007, he was drafted by the Twins in the 41st round of the MLB draft, and in 2008, the Red Sox drafted him in the 45th round. He had a very productive 2010 for the Knights. He hit .299 in 204 at-bats. He also roped 13 home runs and drove in 44 on the year.

Jonathan was one of the best power-hitters in the Valley Baseball League this past summer. He hit .333 and hit 13 homers to help power the Wranglers to a VBL title. He led the league with a .619 slugging percentage and he was first in the league with 117 total bases. He had 63 hits, drove in a league-leading 44 runners and he scored 31 times this summer. He also had a bb/k ratio of 15/53 this year and stole one base for the Wranglers.

Jonathan was selected to participate in the VBL Home Run Derby, and he eventually prevailed over Pete Greskoff. He was also selected to participate in the All-Star game, in which he went 0 for 2.

For his outstanding performance this summer, he was also named to the All-Valley League Team. Perfect Game also ranked Jonathan as the 14th best prospect in the league.

You can view his full statistical breakdown below:

• .333 avg
• .619 slg (1st in league)
• .382 obp
• 189 at-bats
• 63 hits (4th in league)
• 15 doubles (tied for 4th in league)
• 13 home runs (tied for 1st in league)
• 117 total bases (1st in league)
• 31 runs
• 44 rbi's (1st in league)
• 15 walks
• 53 strikeouts
• 1 stolen base

Titans extend ticket drive in attempt to boost membership numbers

From the Republican American
Even though opening day is still seven months away, the Torrington Titans are not sitting around when it comes to selling tickets for the 2011 season.

The Titans sold 527 season tickets last year and are currently working on retaining those customers, says Titans partner Jay Zammiello.

"Our membership drive was originally supposed to end on Nov. 15, but the members requested it be pushed back to the end of the year," Zammiello said. "With the economy the way it is and the holidays coming up, it made sense. We're hoping not just to retain last year's members, but to have a good number of new ones sign up as well."

According to Zammiello, the Titans had 15,411 fans visit Fuessenich Park last season over 20 home dates.

One of the perks of having a season ticket is the opportunity to vote on the team's day-to-day decisions.

Read the rest of this article here.

Statistical Quick Hit From The 2010 Summer Season

Ryan Sheeks (Outfielder—Concordia/Cowlitz Black Bears)

AVG/SLG/OBP	Hits	ATB	2b/3b/HR	R/RBI’s	bb/k’s	STB
.261/.369/.348	41	157	12/1/1	20/20	13/31	6

Indians in good shape after AGM

From the Prairie Post
Things aren’t perfect for the Swift Current Indians, but they’re in better shape right now than they have been recently.

At its annual general meeting on Nov. 10, the Indians announced a cash surplus of $5,983 and they filled all, but two board positions.

“We filled all board positions other than volunteer co-ordinator and sports information officer,” said Brad Woods, who will remain the team’s president this year.

“We did well. Normally, we’re looking to try to fill spots in April and May, so we’re way ahead.”

The cash surplus also has the team ahead of where it was at its AGM last year.

The Tribe now has enough money to get started for next season, but with more than $120,000 in expenditures, Woods knows it won’t take long to go through that money. That’s why he’s hoping the community will help the team this season.

“We’re going to have to raise money and hope we can build on the momentum of last year’s success in the community,” said Woods. “Our advertising and sponsorship was almost double of what it was the previous year and that was huge. The community got behind us and really supported us through our advertising and sponsorship packages. If we can continue that theme, if everybody gets on board this year and we can add some new ones, that will help us move forward.”

Joe Carnahan, the team’s head coach, reported 15 players have agreed to return to the WMBL champions next season, although that can always change if a player gets drafted or injured before the season.

Overall, Woods was happy to see 25 people show up for the AGM and now he’s focussed on the league AGM on Dec. 4 and 5 in Lethbridge where the Indians will raise a few key issues.

“There will be lots of discussion with the disappointment of how the league dealt with the championship series and not having a representative there at the end of the year and no trophy being had,” said Woods, who will attend the meeting with Carnahan.

“If we’re going to be a league that’s going to be highly-touted as a top summer collegiate league, we need to make sure we’re doing the little things right at the league level.

Local Duo Re-sign to Solidify Walla Walla Pitching Staff

From the Walla Walla Sweets
WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Local talent will once again be on display this summer for the Walla Walla Sweets as the duo of Ryan Richardson and Kody Young have re-signed for the 2011 West Coast League season. The pair has increased the number of inaugural season players returning for the 2011 season from three to five by signing contracts since last week’s signing of Elliot Stewart (Cal Poly) and Denver Chavez (Cal Poly) and the signing of Scott Gottschling (UC-Irvine) two weeks ago.

Richardson, a junior right-handed pitcher at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan., spent two years at Walla Walla Community College and is originally from Spokane, Wash. Despite going 1-3 last season for the Sweets, The 5-foot 10-inch, 160-pounder had an ERA of only 3.39 in 13 games, good for fourth best on the team for pitchers with 17 or more innings. The North Central High School product was 5-6 with a 3.39 ERA in his final season at WWCC, where Sweets’ manager, J.C. Biagi, is an assistant coach. “Ryan is a prime example of someone who took hold of an opportunity with both hands and never let go,” said Biagi. “He was originally a 10-day contract guy who turned into one of our top pitchers. We’re extremely happy to have him as part of our staff again this season.”

Kody Young, a sophomore right-handed pitcher at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., was 2-2 with an ERA of 2.90 in nine appearances (seven starts) for the Sweets during their inaugural season, good for third on the team. The 6-foot 5-inch, 215-pounder out of Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, Wash. was named to the 4A Columbia Basin League first team in 2009 and was one of the top pitchers in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges last spring. With his 5-1 record and 2.29 ERA, Young led CBC to the NWAACC East Regional title. “Kody is an athlete that just has the ability to get it done,” said Sweets’ pitching coach, Mark Michaud. “Everywhere he has pitched, he’s done well. He has a great frame for the position and great mechanics to go along with it. We’re looking forward to another quality season from him this summer.”

Washburn University opens play on February 26-27 with a three game series at Drury University and immediately follows that with a four game series at Truman State University, where Richardson will face 2010 Sweets teammate Jordan McLaughlin. Columbia Basin College opens play with a double-header on March 5 against the Prairie Baseball Academy and will visit Walla Walla CC on March 12-13 and again on April 30.


About the Walla Walla Sweets:

Walla Walla Sweets is a professionally operated baseball club in the West Coast League. It is led by a group of civic-minded individuals with strong ties to the Walla Walla region and to the game of baseball. The Walla Walla Sweets will strive to provide their fans, sponsors, business partners, and investors with the very best in competitive baseball and entertainment, including atmosphere, comfort, food & beverage, safety, competition, fun and value. For more information, please visit www.wallawallasweets.com.


CONTACT:

Walla Walla Sweets
Brett Axelrod
E: brett@wallawallasweets.com
P: 509.522.2255

Top Performers From 2010-- Chas Crane

My next Top Performer from the 2010 summer season is Chas Crane of the Peninsual Pilots. Chas is a Junior, switch-hitting 3b/of from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Chas is 6-0/200 pounds and hails from Bridgewater, NJ. He attended Immaculata High School, where he was an All-Conference, All-County and All-Area baseball player. This past regular season at Winthrop, Chas hit .337 with 14 home runs and 45 runs batted in. He has turned into a definite power hitter for the Eagles.

Chas returned for second summer stint with Pilots of the Coastal Plain League. In 2009, Chas hit .211 with 3 home runs and 16 runs batted. He was really counting on having a big 2010 summer with the Pilots. He exceeded just about everyones expectations of him this past summer.

He hit .344 in 180 at-bats for the 32-24 Pilots. He led the league with a .600 slugging percentage and he was first in the league with a .462 on base percentage. He was simply an offensive force to be reckoned with this summer. He scored 37 runs, led the league with 48 runs batted in and he was fourth in the league with 62 hits. He smacked 15 doubles, hit 2 triples and blasted a league-high 9 home runs this summer. He also had bb/k ratio of 41/56 and he stole 11 bases for the Pilots. During the Pilots playoff run, Chas hit .263 and hit 1 home run. He also drove in 4 runners and scored 5 runs.

For his outstanding play during the first half of the summer, he was named to participate in the CPL All-Star Game, where he scored one run and was walked three times. At the conclusion of his outstanding summer, Chas was named the offensive Player of the Year in the CPL. Both Perfect Game and Baseball America have ranked Chas as the 7th best prospect in the league.Here is an excerpt from the PG scouting report on him:

"League’s dominant hitter (.344-9-48), ++ approach, more advanced from RH side, more juice from left; adequate at 3B, + versatile"

Here is an excerpt from the BA scouting report on Chas:

"After anchoring the heart of Winthrop's order with his .337/.434/.635 line as a sophomore, Crane brought his bat to Peninsula and earned the league's offensive player of the year award. He hit .344/.462/.600 with a 41-56 walk-strikeout ratio, leading the league in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs (nine) and RBIs (48). Crane, a 6-foot, 190-pound switch-hitter, exhibits patience and power from both sides with the hand-eye coordination to barrel up pitches consistently. Although he played mostly third base for the Pilots, Crane isn't considered to have enough range for the position at the next level. However, he's an average runner with average arm strength, suggesting he might be able to handle either corner outfield spot, depending upon how much the organization likes his bat."

Here is a rundown of the stats that Chas put up this summer:

• .344 avg (2nd in league)
• .600 slg (1st in league)
• .462 ob% (1st in league)
• 62 hits (tied for 4th in league)
• 180 at-bats
• 37 runs (2nd in league)
• 48 rbi's (1st in league)
• 15 doubles (tied for 2nd)
• 2 triples
• 9 home runs (1st in league)
• 108 total bases (1st in league)
• 41 walks (1st in league)
• 56 strikeouts
• 11 stolen bases
• .920 fielding %

Three ex-PHS baseball stars to join N.E. collegiate league

From the Seacoastonline.com
Three former Portsmouth High School baseball stars will be playing within a half-hour of their hometown fans – and one another – next summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

University of Maine shortstop Mike Fransoso of Portsmouth, Wake Forest pitcher Nate Jones of Greenland and Maryland outfielder Mike Montville of Portsmouth all signed contracts recently with NECBL teams. As amateur athletes, they will not be paid.

Jones and Montville will suit up for the Sanford Mainers, while Fransoso will be a member of the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide, a franchise that relocated from Lowell, Mass., earlier this fall.

“Hopefully, it will be a great rivalry,” said Fransoso, who batted .300 and drove in 30 runs as an impact freshman at Maine last spring. “It will be nice to play against Mike and Nate. I’ve never played against them. I’ve played with them a whole lot.”

Fransoso, Jones and Montville were three linchpins of a Portsmouth High School win streak that now sits at 63 games. All played roles in Class I championships in 2008 and ‘09, and Jones and Montville led the Clippers to the 2010 title before moving on to college.

The NECBL is a 12-team, wooden-bat circuit featuring some of the top collegiate freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the nation. Games are played nightly throughout June and July, and into August. In its 17 years of existence, it has produced more than 60 Major League players.

UW-Stevens Point Infielder Jirschele Returns for a Second Season

From the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – November 15th, 2010. The Rafters welcomed back another member from their inaugural season squad today by announcing that Justin Jirschele (UW-Stevens Point) will return for a second season. Jirschele joins LHP Brad Douthit as the other returning member of the 2010 roster that has been announced.

Jirschele, a junior infielder, appeared in 28 games for the Rafters last summer while batting .203 with 5 RBI before a shoulder injury forced him to be shut down for the remainder of the summer. He was a part of some early Fourth of July fireworks last year by scoring the game-winning run in a thrilling 4-3 walk-off win over the La Crosse Loggers on Sunday, July 4th. Tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, Jirschele singled and Michael Smith doubled to put runners at second and third. With one down Ryan Palermo lofted a fly ball just deep enough for Jirschele to carry home the winning run.

“We’re excited to have Justin back for the 2011 season,” said Rafters general manager Liz Kern. “He has a phenomenal work ethic and we see Justin being a leader for us in 2011.”

Last year, as a sophomore, Jirschele transferred from UW-Oshkosh to UW-Stevens Point and appeared in all 52 games for the Pointers, starting in 51 of them. He batted .319 with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 54 RBI, while carrying a .384 on-base percentage. His 66 hits ranked him third on the team in that category and his .957 fielding percentage demonstrated his solid fundamental skills in the field. As a freshman, Jirschele started in all 40 spring contests for UW-Oshkosh while batting .280 with 9 doubles, 27 RBI and a .359 on-base percentage.

“I am excited to play for the people of Wisconsin Rapids again,” commented Jirschele. “I am looking forward to being a part of another special team.”

A native of Clintonville, WI, Justin’s family ties to the Northwoods League and the game of baseball are very strong. His brother Jeremy played for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2004, while earning MVP honors, and was selected as Baseball America’s Silver Glove Award winner as a second-baseman that year. He was drafted in 2005 by the Kansas City Royals and played in their farm system until 2008. Justin’s father Mike is about to enter his 12th season as the manager of the Kansas City Royals Triple A affiliate, the Omaha Royals. Last season, Mike served as manager Ned Yost’s first base coach for the Major League club for the final month of the season, after Yost took over for the fired Trey Hillman.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. Reserve your 2011 season tickets today! For more information call (715) 424-5400 or visit www.raftersbaseball.com. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2011.

League Baseball To Hit in a New Vineyard Team

From the Vineyard Gazette
There’s nothing like a summer evening of baseball. The thwack of the bat hitting the ball, the smell of freshly cut grass wafting over the stands — this is the stuff of American tradition.

Now summer league baseball, long a presence on Cape Cod, may finally come to the Vineyard.

On Monday night, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee voted to grant a one-year license to the Carminucci Sports Group to begin a wooden-bat collegiate franchise team based at the high school’s new ball field.

The team would be part of a summer collegiate league such as the New England Collegiate Baseball League or the Cape Cod League. Many of the best division one and two baseball players in the country spend their summers in these leagues, and some go on to play in the major leagues. The Vineyard has hosted three Cape Cod League games at the high school in recent summers, drawing huge crowds of fans every time. A franchise on the Vineyard would mean 25 to 30 games throughout the summer.

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A look at Cape League Hall's 2010 Class

From the Cape Cod Times
The Cape Cod Baseball League Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Saturday at the Chatham Bars Inn. The event is sold out. Here's a look at the Class of 2010:

David Aardsma: Pitched for Falmouth in 2002 and was nearly perfect in 18 appearances: 3-0, seven saves, 0.68 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. Now a top reliever for the Seattle Mariners.

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Lunkers Hire Brown to Manage Pitchers in '11

From the Brainerd Area Lakes Lunkers
(Brainerd Lakes Area) - The Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers are proud to announce the hiring of Steven Brown from Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn. as the Pitching Coach for the 2011 season.

Brown, who is in his first year as the Pitching Coach for the FHU Lions, brings plenty of coaching and playing experience into the Lunkers dugout. Last spring, Brown was a coach at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn. and was head coach of the Nashville Panthers of the Tennessee Summer Collegiate League where he led the team to a league title in its inaugural season.

Originally from Southern California, Brown played most of his collegiate baseball at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. As a closer at TNU, Brown set records for single-season and career saves while earning 1st Team All-Conference and All-Region honors in both 2007 and 2008. Following his collegiate career, Brown signed a contract with the Rockford (Ill.) Riverhawks.

"Steven is a guy who will really boost our pitching staff," general manager Dustin Anaas said. "He has an impressive resume both as a player and a coach and I think that he will not only help our players become better ballplayers, but prepare them for successful careers in professional baseball."

The Lunkers are members of the Northwoods League one of the finest summer collegiate leagues in the nation which had more than 160 players drafted into professional baseball in 2010. For more information call the Lunkers office at 218-824-3474 or visit lunkersbaseball.com.

Stingers Announce Seven Returners for 2011

From the Willmar Stingers
WILLMAR, MN- The Willmar Stingers announced today that seven players will be back with the organization as it opens up the second season of Northwoods League baseball in Willmar. Pictured above left to right top row: junior shortstop Carter Bell (Oregon State University), junior catcher Anthony Bemboom (Creighton University), sophomore third baseman Mitch Delfino (University of California), junior first baseman Eduardo Gonzalez (Alcorn State University). Bottom row left to right: junior pitcher Michael Jahns (Northwestern University), junior pitcher Jacob Barnes (Florida Gulf Coast University), and freshman outfielder Sean Dwyer (Florida Gulf Coast University).

A portion of the off-season for the Stingers involves putting together a 30-player roster for the 2011 season, anchored by a group of returners from the previous season. “The organization is excited to have this group back from the inaugural team, as we feel we can build a solid team around them.” Co-owner Marc Jerzak said.

The Inaugural season finished with a 39-31 overall record, missing the playoffs by percentage points in the final days of the season. “The season was a success and it would have been nice to make the playoffs, however, we have some keys players coming back and we’ll be ready to compete,” added Co-owner Ryan Voz.

One of those key players will be Dwyer who was offered a professional contract to sign with the San Diego Padres late in the summer. He was drafted in the 15th by the Padres in early June, and negotiated throughout the summer. Dwyer ultimately decided to attend college and for the time being forego the opportunity to play pro ball. He will be draft eligible again following his junior year for the Eagles.

The Stingers 2011 schedule will be released soon and will include a 70-game schedule in 75 days during the upcoming summer. Prices for season tickets are $149 for reserved seat backs and $169 for box seat season tickets. For more information regarding the roster and upcoming season, please call 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.