Summer Collegiate Baseball Association

(NWL) - Scherzer Brilliant in Debut
April 30, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Max Scherzer is the talk of Major League Baseball today following his perfect performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks in his big league debut last night against the Houston Astros. With his appearance, the former La Crosse Logger becomes the 45th Northwoods League player to go on to Major League career and the first Logger to do so.

Scherzer replaced D-Backs starter Edgar Gonzalez with two outs in the third inning and his team trailing 6-2 to the Astros. The 6’3”, 215 pound right-hander struck out the opposing pitcher Jack Cassell to end the inning. Scherzer then tossed the next four innings as well, in perfect fashion, striking out seven and allowing no one to reach in 4 1/3 innings. His fastball was consistently in the mid-90s and topped out at 98 MPH. Scherzer eventually was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning after going 0-for-2 at the plate. The Astros held on for a 6-4 victory.

Scherzer pitched for the La Crosse Loggers in 2004 following his freshman year at the University of Missouri. The St. Louis native appeared in 17 games for the Loggers, mostly in relief, and finished with a 2-1 record with six saves and a 1.91 ERA. He struck out 50 batters in just 33 innings pitched. He was added as an injury replacement to the 2004 South Division All-Star Team for the game held in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Following his junior year in 2006, Scherzer became the second-highest draft pick of NWL alumni when he was taken 11th overall by Arizona. After holding out the entire 2006 season, he signed with the D-Backs just days before the 2007 draft. Before his call up on Sunday, he dominated the Pacific Coast League striking out 38 batters in 23 innings while allowing only three earned runs for Triple-A Tucson.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(CPL) - OBX Alum, Narron, Has Solid Day
April 24, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. - Former Outer Banks Daredevils pitcher, Sam Narron, came pretty close to perfection Wednesday. The 6-7, 200-pound lefty from East Carolina retired the first 23 Mississippi Braves batters he faced, and went on to grab a two-hit complete-game win for his Huntsville Stars, 9-1.

"I'd never taken a no-hitter that deep into the game before," Narron told MLB.com's Benjamin Hill. "As the game went on, everybody was just trying to keep the same routines. I had the same guy giving me a high five after every inning, and then went to sit on the same spot on the bench."

Narron took his no-hitter all the way into the eighth inning, where he surrendered a two-out triple by Diory Hernandez that rolled down the left-field line.

But Narron's work stretched beyond the mound that day, as he also went 2-for-3 with a double and a RBI for the Stars.

On the season thus far, Narron is 3-1 with a 3.24 ERA through four starts. In 25 innings pitched, he has given up just nine runs, all earned, on 17 hits. He has also walked just five opposing batters and struck out 12.

Narron pitched for the Daredevils in 2000, finishing the summer season with a 7-2 record and low 2.28 ERA. He pitched in 11 games and went 67 complete innings, allowing just 23 runs, 17 earned, on 58 hits, while walking 25 and striking out 33. He featured four complete games, including two shutouts, and his seven wins were tied for the most in the league that year.

He was drafted in the 15th round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, and later went on to make his major league debut on July 30, 2004.

The Outer Banks Daredevils are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Coastal Plain League Alumni Continue To Shine
April 23, 2008

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today that several of its professional alumni have had key performances lately.

Leading things off was the major league debut of John Bowker (Peninsula Pilots, 2002), who debuted with style on April 12 with the San Francisco Giants. In his first two games with the Giants, Bowker went 4-for-6 for a .667 average, with two home runs and seven RBIs. The two homers came in each of his first two major league games, making him the first-ever Giants player to accomplish that task. Bowker has gone on to add a third home run, against St. Louis on April 20, and is currently batting .323 with a double, a triple and three home runs. He also has racked up nine RBIs, four runs scored, 22 total bases and an impressive .710 slugging percentage.

Meanwhile, to say that Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds (Fayetteville SwampDogs, 2003) has started the 2008 major league season off on the right foot would be an understatement. Reynolds, who debuted in 2007, is currently batting .304 through 19 games, racking up 21 hits - of which three are doubles and six are home runs. Two of his homers came April 7th in the Diamondbacks' home opener, a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Furthermore, Reynolds has scored 19 runs, racked up 19 RBIs to go with 42 total bags, and is slugging .609.

Boston's Kevin Youkilis (Florence RedWolves, 1999) is keeping on pace for another solid year for the defending World Series Champion Red Sox. Currently, he is batting .354 through 21 games, with seven doubles, two triples and a pair of long balls. He also has 14 RBIs, 46 total bases, 15 runs scored, a .561 slugging percentage and an impressive .421 on-base percentage.

The Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman (Peninsula Pilots, 2003) played the role of hero for the home club as his walk-off homer gave Washington a 3-2 victory on Opening Day at their new $611-million stadium. Since then, Zimmerman has continued to be a key player for the Nationals, and currently is batting .225 through 21 games. Of his 20 hits, five have been doubles and another two were homers. He has eight runs scored and nine RBIs to go with 31 total bags thus far.

On the mound, St. Louis right-hander Todd Wellemeyer (Thomasville HiToms, 1999) is currently sporting a 2-0 record with a low 3.24 ERA. In four starts, the 6-3, 225-pound Wellemeyer has pitched 25 innings, allowing just nine runs, all earned, on 18 hits, while walking nine and striking out 26.

Elsewhere, Detroit's Justin Verlander (Wilson Tobs, 2002) hasn't had the start that many would expected, but last night's 10-2 win over Texas might just prove to be what the doctor ordered for the 6-5, 200-pound right-hander. Against the Rangers, he pitched six innings, giving up just one run on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. On the season, Verlander moves to 1-3 with a 5.93 ERA. He has pitched a total of 30 1/3 innings, surrendering 25 runs, 20 earned, on 28 hits. He has walked 14 and struck out 17.

Meanwhile, some other notables have taken place in the minor leagues as well.

Russ Adams (Durham Braves, 2000) was recently named the International League Batter of the Week. Adams, who debuted with Toronto in 2004, batted .417 on the week for the Syracuse Chiefs. He had 10 hits, including four doubles and a pair of home runs, to go with eight runs scored, six RBIs and six walks. He also sported an impressive .833 slugging percentage in that time. In Friday's 8-4 victory over Buffalo, Adams went 3-for-5, doubled twice and drove one deep over the wall to pick up three RBIs. Currently, Adams is batting .262 with 16 hits, four doubles, three homers, seven RBIs, 12 runs scored and 29 total bases. Even more notable is his OPS (on-base plus slugging), which is at .875.

Also notable was Marshall Hubbard (Outer Banks, 2002-03), who picked up Southern League Player of the Week honors for the first week of the season (April 4-14). Hubbard is currently batting .361 for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx (Double-A) with 22 hits, including eight doubles, a triple and three home runs. He has 17 RBIs to go with seven runs and 41 total bases. Hubbard also features a .429 on-base percentage, a .672 slugging percentage - and combined, an impressive 1.101 OPS.

* Writer's note: Alex Mondego helped contribute to this press release.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Martinsville To Battle Team USA
April 23, 2008

MARTINSVILLE, VA. - The Martinsville Mustangs are proud to announce the addition of an exhibition game to their 2008 schedule. The Mustangs will travel to Cary, N.C., to face Team USA at the Team USA Training Complex on Tuesday, July 1st at 5:00 p.m.

Team USA is made up of the Top Collegiate Players from across the country, including the very best underclassmen from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Southeastern Conference (SEC) and other top college conferences.

"We are extremely happy to be invited to play Team USA," said Mustangs General Manager Doug Gibson. "I know our players will be very excited to see how they match-up against the nation's best college players. "This will surely be a highlight of the summer and a once in a lifetime experience for some of our players," added Gibson.

Team USA is headquartered in Durham, N.C., and fields various national teams each summer, including the 2008 Olympic Team that will be competing in Beijing, China in mid-August. The July 1st game will take place at the Team USA Training Facility located in Cary, N.C. The complex includes a main stadium for games and auxiliary fields that are used for tournaments and practices.

"This game is a great way to kick off our Fourth of July week that includes home games on July 2nd and July 4th," added Gibson. "We are expecting a sell-out crowd for the July 4th game against Asheboro that will include an amazing post game fireworks show."

The Martinsville Mustangs are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - SwampDogs Name Gajtka New Director of Media Relations
April 18, 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville SwampDogs announced today that Matt Gajtka will join the team's front office as the new Director of Media Relations.

With the SwampDogs, Gajtka will broadcast all the team's games, home and away, over the airwaves on ESPN Radio AM 1230 and via the Internet through the Coastal Plain League's WebPass, which can be purchased at www.coastalplain.com. He will also maintain and author content on the SwampDogs Web site, generate media releases, work in advertising/sales, and play a key role in the team's public relations efforts.

Gajtka (pronounced GITE-ka) graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., in December 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism. While at Marshall, he called live radio play-by-play for eight different Division I sports, including Thundering Herd baseball.

The Weirton, W.Va., native spent last summer as an intern with the West Virginia Power, a Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers based in Charleston, W.Va. Gajtka's duties with the Power included producing video packages, handling on-field MC work, and providing the middle three innings of play-by-play for select home games.

"I'm excited and honored to begin my broadcasting career with the SwampDogs," Gajtka said. "I've had a passion for baseball since my childhood and I look forward to expressing it through my work here in Fayetteville."

An avid believer in the value of athletics in general, Gajtka prefers to play ice hockey, golf, and tennis; his favorite spectator sports are baseball and hockey. His role models in broadcasting are longtime Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Lanny Frattare and Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame play-by-play man Mike Lange.

"Growing up in the Pittsburgh market, I got exposure to some high quality sportscasters," Gajtka said. "Listening to them, I learned the importance of connecting with your audience, being informative, and above all enjoying yourself behind the microphone."

"Matt will be a great addition to our front office staff," said SwampDogs Director of Operations Darrell Handelsman. "His passion and excitement are unmistakable. He will be a great asset to the SwampDogs, not only as the "voice" of the organization, but as an ambassador of fun in Cumberland County."

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Grizzlies Announce Reading Program
April 17, 2008

GASTONIA, N.C. - The Gastonia Grizzles are pleased to announce the 2008 Home Run Reading Challenge presented by Gastonia Pediatric Associates.

The Grizzlies, who open their seventh season in the Coastal Plain League on May 28th, are partnering with Gastonia Pediatric Associates to bring their first ever reading program to Gaston County Title One Elementary schools.

"We are very thankful to Gastonia Pediatric Associates for helping us introduce our first ever reading program," said Assistant General Manager Jamie Curtis. "They have had a tremendous influence in Gastonia over the years and their participation in our reading program shows their continued dedication to Gastonia's youth."

Other sponsors include George Pappa's Liberty Lanes, Adventure Landing, and Texas Roadhouse.

The program begins Monday, April 14, 2008 and ends Friday June 13, 2008 and will reach over 300 classrooms averaging 23 students per classroom. During this period, students will have to opportunity to earn prizes for reaching certain reading levels. There are four levels for reading: first base, second base, third base, and home run. Each level is determined by each individual teacher based on his or her students current reading levels.

"The Grizzlies are extremely excited to bring the reading program to Gaston County schools," said Assistant General Manager Jamie Curtis. "We want to reach the community on a whole new level and we feel this is a perfect opportunity for us."

Every participating student and teacher will receive a free ticket to Reading Night at Sims Legion Park on June 10th as a thank you from the team. Fans who donate books at the front gate will receive $1.00 off General Admission tickets.

The Grizzlies are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former Pilot Outfielder, Bowker, Makes Historic MLB Debut
April 14, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO - When Giants rookie John Bowker strode to the plate Saturday afternoon to take his first-ever Major League time at-bat (at AT&T Park in San Francisco) his team was in need of an offensive spark.

The early 4-6 start for the San Francisco Giants, marked largely by offensive ineptitude, led to the decision to call up the 24-year old former Peninsula Pilot. He promptly singled off of St. Louis Cardinals starter, and fellow Coastal Plain League alum, Todd Wellemeyer ('99 Thomasville HiToms). By the end of the sixth inning he had led his new teammates in chasing Wellemeyer from the mound courtesy of a thunderous three-run homer into the San Francisco Bay (his third at-bat in the Majors). He finished the day 2-for-3 with a single, a homer and 3 RBIs in a game that his team squandered a five-run lead on the way to dropping an 8-7 decision to the Cards.

The next day, Sunday, he delivered a historic encore by becoming the first player in Giants history to homer in each of his first two games when (in the fourth inning) he launched a two-run blast into the right-field arcade off of Cardinals starter Joel Pinero. He added an RBI-single and a sacrifice fly to lead the home team to a 7-4 win, their fifth of the season.

In just two games of work as a member of the Giants, Bowker has tallied a line of 4-of-6 (.667 BA), two home runs and seven RBIs. The seven runs driven in puts him in second in that category among Giants players behind catcher Bengie Molina, who had played in 11 of the team's 13 games as of the end of play Sunday night.

In 2002, Bowker battled through an injury plagued season as a part-time rightfielder in Hampton collecting 11 hits in 55 at-bats following his freshman season at Long Beach State University. With his call-up from Triple-A Fresno, the Pilots now have more active alumni in the Major Leagues than any other CPL franchise. Bowker joins Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Rupe as former Pilots now competing in the 'Show.'

Overall, Bowker becomes the 28th former alum of the Coastal Plain League to go on to make his Major League Baseball debut, and the first of the 2008 MLB season. He is the third former Peninsula Pilot to debut in the Majors.

The Peninsula Pilots are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - War Memorial Renaissance To Continue With Addition Of New Scoreboard, Video Center And Sound System
April 10, 2008

HAMPTON, VA. - The Peninsula Pilots have finalized plans to install a new state-of-the-art scoreboard at Peninsula's War Memorial Stadium in Hamption, Va., this season. After nearly 18 months of proposal review, planning, design, sales and marketing for the privately financed initiative, Daktronics (a Brookings, S.D. company) was selected as the supplier for the $400,000 project. The structure will include a 36-foot long, 10-inning LED scoreboard with a speed-of-pitch display, a 19-foot LED color video/message center, backlit sponsor panels, a five-foot analog clock and a decorate steel truss framing the stadium name. Construction is set to begin immediately and the project's completion is slated for mid-May, in time for an unveiling at the 2008 USCAA National Championships hosted by the Northrop Grumman NN Apprentice School.

The new scoreboard structure, the first of its kind in the Coastal Plain League, will be built behind the left-center field wall. The existing scoreboard, originally installed in the early 1970's, will be converted to a billboard fram and mounting station for another high impact improvement, the Sportsound 1000 stadium audio system. The enhanced sound setup is scheduled for a simultaneous completion with the video/message center.

In order to get the project off the ground, the Pilots, with support from the newly reorganized Peninsula Stadium Authority, needed assistance from four key corporate partners. Those partners, BayPort Credit Union, Retail Alliance, W.M. Jordan Construction Co. and Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding will be prominently displayed flanking the video screen on backlit 4'x8' advertising panels.

Team VP and Head Coach Hank Morgan is clearly excited about the pending improvements, saying "we expect these projects to do more for the overall experience of Peninsula baseball fans since the original construction of War Memorial in 1948. The first word we expect to hear from people when they see and hear these improvements is 'wow!' Our plan is to use these enhancements to add to the information and interaction available to our fans on a nightly basis."

Since the Pilots brought summer-time baseball back to War Memorial in 2000 and formed a partnership with the Apprentice School and the City of Hampton, the stadium has experienced a gradual facelift designed to bring the facility up to present day fan and player standards. Among those enhancements are group picnic and party deck areas, a tiki bar, field level corporate boxes, a kid's zone featuring a wiffle ball field, new dugouts, a modern field lighting system, a new warning track, and upgrades to the field of play, public restrooms and clubhouse facilities.

The Peninsula Pilots are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(WCCBL) - WCCBL Hires Ken Wilson, Former Mariners Broadcaster To Lead League
March 24, 2008

WENATCHEE, WA. - The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, a leading summer collegiate league based in the Pacific Northwest, hired Ken Wilson as its first full-time president. Wilson will captain the growth-minded four-year-old league in an industry that is exploding with the popularity of college baseball and increasing demand for minor league entertainment.

"The WCCBL is looking to add new teams and establish itself as the top collegiate summer league in North America," said Wilson.

A long-time baseball broadcaster, Wilson was a member of the original Seattle Mariners broadcast team (1977-1982) with Hall of Famer Dave Niehaus. "I'm familiar with the Pacific Northwest and this gives me a chance to get back to my roots and be involved in baseball."

Wilson replaces Dan Segel, the president of the Corvallis Knights, as the League's president and is the WCCBL's third president, but its first full-time employee and non-member affiliated president.

Commissioner Jim Dietz and Segel helped the League build a solid foundation as volunteers. Both Dietz and Segel are stepping down and will continue to support the League as an advisory board member and board member, respectively.

"Hiring Ken Wilson to be the WCCBL's new leader is a league milestone, plain and simple," said past president Dan Segel. "With that said, we can't thank Coach Dietz enough for his efforts, counsel and commitment to the WCCBL. We're in a great spot thanks to an active board and extraordinary commissioner."

"There's no doubt Ken Wilson will take the WCCBL to new heights," continued Segel. "He's a baseball guy with an exceptional sense for the business end of the game. We're thrilled that Ken Wilson is taking over."

The eight-team league extends from Corvallis, Oregon to Kelowna, British Columbia and plays a 42-game schedule from early June to mid-August.

"This league has top college players and every year features a number of future major leaguers," said Wilson. "But the best part of the WCCBL is the sensational, inexpensive family entertainment that our clubs provide their communities."

Wilson announced Mariners' games for six seasons before moving on to broadcast for another 16 seasons with five other Major League teams including the Angels, Reds, A's and White Sox. Highlights of Wilson's broadcast career include announcing Pete Rose's record breaking 4,192nd hit; Cal Ripken's 2,130th consecutive game played; Kenny Rogers' perfect game; Gaylord Perry's 300th win; and George Brett's 3,000th hit.

Following a stellar big league broadcasting career, Ken founded and operated two highly successful minor league franchises, the River City (Missouri) Rascals and Gateway (Illinois) Grizzlies, and was instrumental in the development of state-of-the-art ballparks for both clubs.

Ken also spent twenty-two seasons as a broadcaster in the NHL. He was the Voice of the NHL on ESPN and Sportschannel America. For 20 years, Ken was the Voice of the St. Louis Blues. In addition, Wilson broadcast Washington State University basketball, Seattle Pacific University basketball, Big Eight basketball and St. Louis Rams football.

Most recently Wilson was the voice of Hawaii Winter Baseball and hosted a weekly show, Wilson On Baseball, on ESPN Radio in Honolulu.

For more information on the WCCBL, please visit www.wccbl.com.

(WCCBL) - Husky QB Jake Locker to play with Bells; OSU hosts Georgia before record Pac-10 crowd at PGE Park
March 3, 2008

WENATCHEE, WA. - University of Washington star quarterback Jake Locker has agreed to play baseball this summer with the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League.

"We are extremely excited to have Jake on the team," Bellingham general manager Dave Lewis stated. "Not only is he is a great athlete who will bring his skills to our talented roster, but he is another great local addition to the team."

Locker joins his cousin on the Bells 2008 roster.

Bells head coach Brandon Newell added, "Jake fits well with our philosophy of winning with local players. We have taken advantage of the hotbed this area has become for baseball talent by bringing in players from the area."

As a baseball player at Ferndale High School, Locker was named the Washington State 3A Most Valuable Player following his senior year, and was named to the All-State Team as a pitcher and outfielder.

Locker, a 2008 Heisman hopeful, was the 2007 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He established the modern record for rushing yards by a quarterback by amassing 986 yards in his redshirt freshman season.

"I am excited to play baseball this summer," Locker said. "There are a lot of exciting things happening with the Bells and I am going to have fun being a part of it all."

Husky football coach Tyrone Willingham supports Jake's decision to play baseball.

"Jake is such a great competitor and I completely support his decision to play baseball this summer," said Willingham, who was a second-team All-Big Ten selection as a Michigan State centerfielder. "He has always had, and will continue to have, a positive commitment to our program and to his teammates. That will not change. I don't believe that playing baseball this summer will have a negative impact on his development as a football player."

In other news:

The Oregon State Beavers of the Pac-10 hosted the Georgia Bulldogs of the SEC this past weekend at PGE Park - home of the AAA Portland Beavers.

OSU won the series by rallying on Sunday to beat the Bulldogs 5-4 before a Pac-10 record crowd of 11,166.

The three-game set drew 29,332.

11 WCCBL alums played for the defending champion Beavers vs. Georgia including catcher Erik Ammon (Corvallis Knights), infielder Brett Casey (Corvallis Knights), infielder Drew George (Bend Elks), outfielder Koa Kalalehoe (Bend Elks), pitcher Blake Keitzman (Corvallis Knights), infielder Lonnie Lechelt (Kelowna Falcons), pitcher Greg Peavey (Corvallis Knights), pitcher Jorge Reyes (Moses Lake Pirates), pitcher Kraig Sitton (Spokane RiverHawks), outfielder Braden Wells (Corvallis Knights) and shortstop Joey Wong (Bend Elks).

For more information on the WCCBL, please visit www.wccbl.com.

(NWL) - Hunter, Pepperdine to Visit Minnesota
February 27, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. - One of the more highly-touted players to ever step foot on a Northwoods League field is returning to NWL territory this weekend. Brett Hunter will lead the Pepperdine Waves into the Metrodome Friday for the annual Dairy Queen Classic hosted by the University of Minnesota. Tulane and TCU are the other schools participating in the event.

Hunter pitched for the Alexandria Beetles in 2006 and spent last summer anchoring the pitching staff for Team USA where he led the team with a 0.66 ERA. Heading into this year he gained Preseason First Team All-American honors from "Baseball America". The same publication currently projects him to be selected tenth overall in this year’s draft. Hunter was named WCC Pitcher of the Week following a strong six-inning performance in a season-opening 3-2 win over Wake Forest on Saturday. The hard-throwing right-hander went 4-2 with 1.53 ERA pitching for Alexandria in ’06.

Hunter is schedule to start for Pepperdine on Friday in the tournament opener against Tulane. Game time is set for 12:15 PM CST.

Many other Northwoods League alumni will be involved in the three-day tournament including a pair of All-Stars from the 2007 season. Third baseman Nate Hanson will suit up for the host Golden Gophers and outfielder Eric Thames will make a return trip to the Midwest for Pepperdine. Hanson won the NWL batting title a year ago hitting .363 for the Mankato MoonDogs. Thames was second in the League with 43 RBI last summer for the La Crosse Loggers.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(WCCBL) - Baseball America's college preview issue features Oregon State, WCCBL alums collect pre-season honors
February 24, 2008

WENATCHEE, WA. - Baseball America's college preview issue featured back-to-back National Champion Oregon State on its cover. Two-year WCCBLer sophomore pitcher Jorge Reyes of the 2007 WCCBL champion Moses Lake Pirates was pictured on the cover with returnee senior pitcher Mike Stutes at Goss Stadium.

The preview named freshman Greg Peavey (pictured) of Oregon State the Pac-10's top newcomer. Peavey pitched for the Corvallis Knights last summer. He posted a 1.31 ERA over 9 appearances and collected 3 saves. Greg was named the WCCBL's #2 prospect by Baseball America.

Junior first baseman Dillion Baird of University of Arizona was Baseball America's third rated top newcomer to the Pac-10. Baird played first base for the Wenatchee AppleSox last summer hitting .299 with 3 HR and 19 RBI and was named second-team All-WCCBL.

Former Kitsap BlueJacket Bradley Boyer of University of Washington was named to BA's Pac-10 All-Conference team at second base. Jorge Reyes was named the Pac-10's #4 prospect (2009 draft).

Cal Poly SLO's Brent Morel was named to BA's Big West All-Conference team at third base. Morel, a junior from Bakersfield, California, played the last two summers for the Knights and was the team's MVP in 2006. Corvallis Knights redshirt sophomore reliever Kevin Castner of Cal Poly SLO and the Bend Elks senior starter Marco Grifitani of UC Davis were named the Big West's #8 and #10 top prospects, respectively (2008 draft).

Ex-Bend Elk and Aloha Knight Matt Hibbitts of New Mexico was named to BA's Mountain West All-Conference team at second base. The senior infielder from Portland, Oregon played for Bend in 2004 and with the Knights in 2006. He hit .341 with 7 HR and 44 RBI last spring with the Lobos.

Aloha Knights alum Matt Hague of Oklahoma State was named to BA's Big 12 All-Conference team at third base. Hague, a senior from Kent, Washington, was a two-way star for the Knights in the summer of 2005. Hague was also named the Big 12's #7 prospect (2008 draft).

Baseball America named Kevin Coddington of University of Illinois at Chicago the Horizon League's top newcomer. Coddington, a junior catcher from West Linn, Oregon, hit .261 with 6 doubles and 17 RBI last summer for the Moses Lake Pirates and was named All-WCCBL honorable mention. Coddington was also named the Horizon League's #2 prospect (2008 draft).

Junior infielder Jesse Ayala of the 2007 WCCBL champion Moses Lake Pirates transferred from University of Nevada, Reno to South Dakota State. He was named BA's third rated top newcomer to the Summit League.

Senior pitcher Matt Fitts of Lewis-Clark State College was named pre-season NAIA Pitcher of the Year and the #1 prospect in the NAIA (2008 draft) by Baseball America. Fitts pitched last summer for the Corvallis Knights. He was also named to the NAIA All-Conference team. Senior infielder Greg Biagi of South Dakota State and senior outfielder Brent Wyatt of Lewis-Clark State College were also named to the NAIA All-Conference team at shortstop and outfield, respectively. Biagi played for the Spokane RiverHawks the last two summers and Wyatt played shortstop for Wenatchee in 2005 and 2006.

Zach Mandelblatt of Pomona-Pitzer was named the #3 prospect (2008 draft) in NCAA DIII. Mandelblatt, a junior outfielder from Lake Oswego, Oregon, led the League in doubles (14), triples (4) and total bases (73) last summer for Wenatchee. He was named first-team All-WCCBL.

For more information on the WCCBL, please visit www.wccbl.com.

(CPL) - Pilots Owner Henry Morgan Named 2008 Bud Metheny Award Recipient
February 18, 2008

NORFOLK, VA. - The Coastal Plain League would like to congratulate Peninsula Pilots' owner Henry Morgan on being honored as the recipient of the 2008 Bud Metheny Award. Morgan is the second recipient of the award with ties to the CPL, as the late friend and former Outer Banks Daredevils owner Warren Spivey won the award in 2001.

"Congratulations to Henry for this very prestigious award," said Coastal Plain League President and Commissioner Pete Bock. "The Coastal Plain League is very proud of his efforts with contributions and commitments in the Peninsula area. He, personally, and the entire Peninsula Pilots organization are to be commended for their donations and support of many local charities, sports organizations, local schools and others."

(The below story was featured on www.odusports.com)

Local Peninsula businessman Henry Morgan, who has devoted much of his life and resources to area youth baseball activities, was honored as the 31st recipient of the Bud Metheny Award at the GTI Systems, Inc. "Meet the Stars" banquet, on Friday Jan. 25th at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside as part of the annual Greenwich Kitchens/ODU Baseball Clinic weekend.

Baseball Hall of Famer and award winning sportscaster Joe Morgan of the Cincinnati Reds was the keynote speaker and clinician.

"Henry Morgan strongly represents the true ideal of the Bud Metheny Award," said former ODU standout and Hall of Famer Wayne Gomes. "Mr. Morgan has spent numerous years coaching baseball at the Little League level as well as AAU. He is what baseball is and should be about in our community."

Morgan has raised/donated nearly $100,000 on behalf of Peninsula Pilots batboy Kevin Eadie and the Niemann-Pick Type C cause known as the Ara Parseghian Medical research Foundation/ Kevin Eadie Fund over the past four-plus years. He has also implemented a program to encourage reading throughout the Peninsula's school systems.

Morgan has parlayed Peninsula Pilots activities into fundraisers and donations for many non-profit organizations like the Red Cross, York High School band, local youth cheerleading teams, the 9-11 firefighters and more. His construction business has donated time and materials to nearly every high school and Little League field on the Peninsula.

He has sponsored two local high school players participate in a barnstorming baseball tour of Cuba on a Christian missionary trip. During his Little League coaching days, Morgan brought Legion teams to tournaments in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Cooperstown, N.Y., all of which he funded personally.

Morgan currently owns the Peninsula Pilots of the Coastal Plain League which is designed to allow college players to hone their skills for 56 additional games in the summer, as well as continue their exposure to professional scouts.

Morgan heads two small construction businesses in Isle of Wight and Suffolk. He first became involved in youth league coaching in 1979 as he handled a Hampton-Wythe Little League team. He eventually became president for two years, and then presided over a three-time A-League that had grown to 10 teams by the time he resigned In 1989. He also coached in the Phoebus Senior League and the Hampton Post 31 American Legion team in the 1990's.

By 2001, Morgan had been appointed to the Peninsula Stadium Authority and quickly became its chairman. He was instrumental in triggering the drive to construct the proposed stadium in Newport News and also contributed financially to that project. During that period, Morgan became interested in the Coastal Plain League and eventually resigned from the Authority to obtain the college team. The league that operates for three summer months and uses wooden bats. Under his direction, many stadium improvements have been made above and beyond what the Authority could afford.

In all, Henry Morgan still loves working with young people. He and his wife Sue have two adult children, Hank and Kara, and four grandchildren.

PREVIOUS BUD METHENY WINNERS
1978 Dave Rosenfield General Manager, Norfolk Tides, Co-Founder of ODU Clinic
1979 George Kotarides President, Milton's Pizza
1980 Ed Nagourney Rices Nachman Dept. Store, Co-Founder of ODU Clinic
1981 Bud Metheny Former Old Dominion baseball coach
1982 George McClelland Former Executive Sports Editor, The Virginian Pilot/Ledger-Star newspapers
1983 Charlie Sugg Real Estate Assessor, City of Norfolk
1984 Don Fett President, Waymar, Inc.
1985 Clyde McCullough Former major league scout
1986 Abe Goldblatt Sportswriter, The Virginian Pilot/Ledger Star
1987 Richard J. Davis President, Tidewater Professional Sports, Inc.
1988 Harry Postove Major League Scout
1989 Hank Foiles Foiles Insurance, former major leaguer
1990 Lewis D.Hirschler Hofheimer's Inc.
1991 Richard Alexander Umpire
1992 Bob Rathbun Former sports anchor,WTKR TV WTAR Radio
1993 Sandra Pickin Founder of the Peninsula Muscular, Dystrophy Benefit Baseball Tournament
1994 John T. Callahan Former President of Tidewater Baseball League
1995 Gary Wright Tidewater Summer League, AAU
1996 Paul Fraim Mayor of Norfolk
1997 Roy L.Burton, Jr. Founder of Willard-Lakewood Athletic, Association & the Granby Booster Club
1998 Paul Vestal President Greenbrier Athletic Assoc.
1999 Ken Young President, Norfolk Tides Baseball Team
2000 Lester Bangs Local Baseball Scout
2001 Warren Spivey President Spivey Rentals
2002 Bill Swan Former Head Baseball Coach at Virginia Wesleyan, Former Asst. Coach at ODU.
2003 Tim Miller Chairman ACS Systems & Engineering
2004 Luke Newman President of Greenwich Kitchens Center
2005 Pat Baker Local Dentist
2006 Tony Zontini Coach/teacher
2007 Towny Townsend Coach/teacher

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - Eight NWL Umpiring Alumni Graduate with Honors
February 14, 2008

ROCHESTER, MN. - The Northwoods League announced today that eight of the League's umpiring alumni have been selected among the top 50 in this year’s class of aspiring professional umpires. The eight are 2007 NWL umpires Garret Corl, Tyler Hensley, Ed Leopold, Brian McCoy, Ivan Mercado, Matt Mullins, and Chris Nguyen as well 2006 umpire Rob Calvert.

Umpires seeking a career as an umpire in Major League affiliated professional baseball must attend a month-long training in January at one of the two umpire schools in Florida, Harry Wendelstedt School for Umpires and Jim Evans Academy of Professional Umpiring.

The top 25 graduates from each of the two umpire schools attend the 10-day PBUC (Professional Baseball Umpire Corps) Evaluation Course from March 8-18. These top 50 umpires are then ranked at the end of the Course and, depending upon the number of open jobs, are offered professional contracts in the affiliated Minor Leagues. There are 220 Minor League umpires striving to ascend the ranks to become one of 70 Major League umpires.

At the end of the 2007 season, 35 former Northwoods League umpires were in Minor League Baseball, accounting for 16% of all Minor League umpires, and were represented in all 15 Minor Leagues.

Besides the obvious goal of improving the players, the Northwoods League's 68-game schedule and high-level of competition are a tremendous benefit to the umpires.

"The thing I picked up that really helped me at school was probably game speed," 2007 NWL Umpire Brian McCoy explained. "I also learned how to interact with a partner for an entire summer and how to handle arguments with managers."

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(WCCBL) - Brett Brothers Buy The Bellingham Bells
January 29, 2008

WENATCHEE, WA. - The Bellingham Bells Baseball Club has been acquired by a group led by Bobby Brett and his brother, Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett. The Bells were sold by Tony Larson, who had owned the team since 2001.

The Brett family currently operates four successful sports franchises including the Spokane Indians Baseball Club, the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club, the Tri-City Dust Devils Baseball Club and the High Desert Mavericks Baseball Club.

"We are excited to become a part of the Bellingham community," said Bobby Brett, the Bells new managing partner. "Joe Martin Stadium, with its recent renovations, is a very nice ballpark, and we look forward to providing the people of Bellingham affordable family entertainment in that ballpark."

The new ownership group also announced the team’s new general manager and field manager. Dave Lewis, who served as the general manager of the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers for the past eight years, will be the Bells new general manager and a minority owner.

"It is a privilege to re-join Brett Sports as a partner in the new Bells ownership," stated Lewis. "I look forward to becoming a part of this community and a very bright future for the Bells."

Brandon Newell, a scout for the Milwaukee Brewers and former baseball player for Nooksack High School, University of Washington and New York Mets minor league teams, will serve as the Bells Field Manager.

Newell stated, "I am honored to help usher in a new era of Bells Baseball. We will have a great team this season, headlined by many local players. We want to be successful, and also showcase the great talent the Bellingham area has developed."

"When you look at Dave, Brandon, and the rest of the ownership group, there is a whole lot of experience going into this organization," said Brett.

Brett stressed that there are certain hallmarks to Brett Sports teams that you will see with the Bells. "We believe in creating a great family-friendly environment, delivering unsurpassed customer service, and having success on the field."

The new Bells ownership group has already had positive discussions with the City of Bellingham regarding the team’s use of Joe Martin Stadium. As part of a revised facility use agreement, the Bells have agreed to spend a minimum of $50,000 on stadium improvements within two years.

"I want to thank the City of Bellingham and its Parks and Recreation department for their attitude toward our purchase of the team and I look forward to a productive partnership between the Bells and the City," said Brett.

The Bellingham Bells are a member of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League, a wood bat summer baseball league. The Bells have a long and storied history dating back to the leadership of Joe Martin in the early 1940’s.

Read more about the Bells new ownership group in the Bellingham Herald and Wenatchee World.

For more information on the WCCBL, please visit www.wccbl.com.

(NWL) - New Northwoods League Store Debuts Online
January 10, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, MN. - Offering a wide array of official league apparel, the new Northwoods League Store debuted online this week with a full stock of quality t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies available for order immediately. NorthwoodsLeagueStore.com is powered by BallparkDigest.com.

August Publications and NWLfan.com are teaming up with the Northwoods League to offer logo apparel for 23 summer collegiate baseball teams (14 current franchises and nine former teams) from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and North Dakota.

“We look forward to providing Northwoods League fans quality logo apparel at reasonable prices through the new online store,” said August Publications founder and CEO Kevin Reichard. “Our relationship with the League, the teams and its fans through our NWLfan.com website has been fun and gratifying. Working with the League to offer an appealing and comprehensive online apparel store is a natural step forward for us.”

The full line of clothing and apparel representing past and present Northwoods League teams is geared for all ages, from adult men, women and unisex, to youth, toddlers and infants.

"We are excited to begin our new online store in association with August Publications and their subsidiaries,” said Dick Radatz, Jr., President of the Northwoods League. “They have helped promote the League in many ways, and this will just continue and add to the wonderful relationship that we have.”

For more information on the Northwoods League please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(CPL) - Coastal Plain League Announces 2008 Schedule
December 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today its schedule for the 2008 season. Now heading into its twelfth season, the CPL features 14 teams across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

The regular season starts on Wednesday, May 28th and runs through Tuesday, August 5th. Key dates include the 2008 CPL All-Star Fan Fest and Game on July 21st and 22nd, and then on the weekend of August 7th-9th (Thursday-Saturday), will be the 2008 Coastal Plain League Petitt Cup Championship Tournament. The locations for both events will be announced in early 2008.

The 14 teams will be broken into three divisions (North, South and West) just like in 2007. However, there will be a new look to the South as the Wilson Tobs will return and join the Columbia Blowfish, Fayetteville SwampDogs, Florence RedWolves and Wilmington Sharks.

The North will feature four clubs in the Edenton Steamers, the Outer Banks Daredevils, the Peninsula Pilots and the Petersburg Generals. Finally, the West will be highlighted by four returning clubs and one new franchise in the Forest City Owls. The Owls will join the Asheboro Copperheads, the Gastonia Grizzlies, the Martinsville Mustangs and the Thomasville HiToms.

All together, each team will play a 56-game schedule, with a large concentration on divisional games. In addition, the schedule will remain a split-format one, with 28 games per club in the first half and another 28 in the second half.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - Northwoods League Releases 2008 Schedule
December 13, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - Today the Northwoods League released the complete 2008 season schedule. Once again the 14 team League will play a 68 game regular season schedule, followed by two rounds of best-of-three playoffs to decide the League Champion. The 2008 season marks the 15th season of the Northwoods League.

The 2008 season begins on Thursday, May 29th and wraps up on Monday, August 11th, with the six-day postseason beginning immediately on Tuesday, August 12th. If the NWL Championship Series goes to a game three, the Championship Season would end on Sunday, August 17th.

One of the highlights of the 2008 schedule is the 14th Annual Northwoods League All-Star Game, which will be hosted by the Madison (WI) Mallards for the third time in team history and first time since 2003. Festivities are being planned for a two-day event which will conclude with the game itself at Warner Park on Monday, July 14th.

The first rematch of the 2007 NWL Championship Series will happen on the biggest day of the year for the Eau Claire Express. On July 4th, the defending champion St. Cloud River Bats will return to Carson Park in Eau Claire, the site of their series-clinching victory. The Express have set their single-game attendance record on July 4th for three consecutive years, including 5,659 fans at the ballpark on Independence Day 2007.

Go to http://www.northwoodsleague.com/2008nwlschedule.htm to view the complete 2008 Northwoods League Schedule.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com

(CPL) - Tobs COO, Mike Edwards, Steps Down
December 7, 2007

WILSON, N.C. - Mike Edwards, the Chief Operating Officer of the Wilson Tobs, has stepped away from his position effective today. He will remain with the team in an advisory role. Edwards plans to focus his attention on his PhD in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from North Carolina St. University, which he has been working towards since leaving his post as Tobs' General Manager in 2006.

Edwards, a native of Princeton, North Carolina, served as Wilson's GM for three seasons from 2004-06, and oversaw three playoff teams. Several players signed by Wilson have moved on to the professional ranks and enjoyed success, most notably Kevin Pucetas of the 2005 Tobs, who was named South Atlantic League (Class A) pitcher of the year in 2007 while pitching for the Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco). In addition to success on the field, Edwards also had success off the field as attendance rose each of Edwards' three seasons, and the Tobs were named the CPL "Organization of the Year" in 2005, a season in which Edwards also oversaw the CPL All-Star game at Historic Fleming Stadium.

After moving from General Manager to COO in 2006, Edwards transitioned the team to his replacement, Ben Jones, aiding the 2007 Tobs staff in producing a record-setting attendance total this past summer.

"I feel privileged to have been able to work with, and learn from somebody so accomplished and respected in the baseball world," said Tobs' general manager Ben Jones. "The leadership and commitment that Mike has shown to this team and to our town will not be over looked or forgotten."

In addition to Wilson, Edwards served as an executive in the Cleveland Indians organization for six seasons with the Burlington (NC) Indians, Columbus (GA) Redstixx and Lake County (OH) Captains. He was named "Executive of the Year" for the Appalachian League both in 1999 and 2000.

He will continue to reside in Wilson with his wife, Melissa, and daughter Molly.

The Wilson Tobs are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit, www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former RedWolf, Youkilis, Earns First Rawlings Gold Glove
November 7, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League celebrated another first in the history of the league when former Florence RedWolves and current Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis won a Rawlings Gold Glove after the 2007 Major League season.

The Gold Glove was the first for Youkilis in his four-year career on the big stage, and marks the first time ever a Coastal Plain League alum went on to win a Rawlings Gold Glove. The voters for the Rawlings Gold Glove consisted of the American League managers and coaches.

Surprising enough is that Youkilis won the award just a year after switching from third base to first. For Boston in 2007, he put together 135 errorless games and accounted for 1,094 errorless innings for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

"It's definitely quite an accomplishment, just winning a Gold Glove," Youkilis told MLB.com's Alex McPhillips. "Coming up as a third baseman and trying to work so hard to make it as a third baseman and trying to improve on my defense there, and to step in and play first base last year ... And now, this year, to have a great year there and win a Gold Glove, means so much to me."

Even more impressive is his achievement of a 1.000 fielding percentage at first, which was the first time since 1984 when San Diego's Steve Garvey recorded the same feat.

In fact, Youkilis could break the all-time Major League record of 193 consecutive errrorless games at first - set by Garvey from June 26, 1983-April 14, 1985 - sometime next April. He currently has an active streak of 190 games.

As a member of the RedWolves in 1999, Youkilis batted .284 with four doubles, one triple and a pair of home runs. He scored 17 runs and racked up 16 RBIs, while having an on-base percentage of .424, a slugging percentage of .373 and featured 31 walks. Numbers like those helped earn him a spot on the South CPL All-Star team and later he was named to the CPL All-Decade Team.

The Florence RedWolves are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Zimmerman Foundation Looks To Help Strikeout MS
November 6, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - Current Washington Nationals third baseman and former Peninsula Pilots standout Ryan Zimmerman will be on hand this weekend as the ziMS Foundation, named after Zimmerman and of which he serves as President, holds its second annual Golf Tournament to raise awareness and money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

For Zimmerman, the fight to find a cure hits close to home as his mother, Cheryl, was diagnosed with MS 12 years ago. Both of Zimmerman's parents, Keith and Cheryl, serve on the foundation's Board of Directors.

According to the ziMS Foundation's website, www.zimsfoundation.org, Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, potentially debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis is widely believed to be an autoimmune disease, a condition in which your immune system attacks components of your body as if they're foreign.

In multiple sclerosis, the body mistakenly directs antibodies and white blood cells against proteins in the myelin sheath, a fatty substance that insulates nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This results in inflammation and injury to the sheath and ultimately to the nerves that it surrounds. The result may be multiple areas of scarring (sclerosis). Eventually, this damage can slow or block the nerve signals that control muscle coordination, strength, sensation and vision.

Multiple sclerosis affects an estimated 300,000 people in the United States and probably more than 1 million people around the world, including twice as many women as men. Most people experience their first signs or symptoms between ages 20 and 40.

Multiple sclerosis is unpredictable and varies in severity. In some people, multiple sclerosis is a mild illness, but it can lead to permanent disability in others. Treatments can modify the course of the disease and relieve symptoms.

The foundation held its first golf tournament last fall and helped raise close to $70,000 to find a cure for MS. This weekend's golf tournament is already sold out, but there are a few remaining tickets for the Gala Friday night. The Gala will start at 6 p.m. with dinner, silent and live auctions and music by the Hotcakes. Tickets are $75 and those interested in the Gala can find out more information by emailing zimsfoundation@msn.com or calling toll-free at 1-866-721-9467.

While with the Pilots during the summer of 2003, Zimmerman batted .331 in 40 games started. Of his team-high 47 hits, eight were doubles, one was good for a triple, while another was a home run. He had 12 runs scored and 19 RBIs to go with 60 total bases, a .423 slugging percentage, a .394 on-base percentage and three stolen bags. Also that season, Zimmerman started at third base for the North CPL All-Star team. He was later named to the Coastal Plain League All-Decade Team, which featured the best 26 players (by position) from the first 10 years of the CPL.

For more information on the ziMS Foundation, please visit www.zimsfoundation.org. For more information on Multiple Sclerosis, please visit http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/DS00188.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former RedWolves, Current Red Sox Win World Series
October 29, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - For the second time in four years, the Boston Red Sox are World Series Champions, winning by the score of 4-3 Sunday night to complete a series sweep of Colorado.

On the rosters for both the Red Sox and Rockies in the 2007 MLB World Series were three Coastal Plain League alums, all RedWolves. On Boston was Kevin Youkilis and Kyle Snyder, while Ryan Speier pitched for Colorado. Youkilis (Florence RedWolves, 1999) went 2-for-9 in the World Series with three runs scored and an RBI. He also featured two doubles and was walked three times.

In the American League Division Series sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Youkilis went 3-for-12 for Boston with a double, a homer, three runs scored, two RBIs and a walk. Then in the ALCS, he batted .500 (14-of-28) with 10 runs scored, seven RBIs, a double, a triple and two home runs.

He played in 145 games during the regular season for the Red Sox. He featured a .288 average with 152 hits. Of those, 35 were doubles, two were for triples and 16 were long ball shots to go with 85 runs scored and 83 RBIs. Furthermore, Youkilis racked up 239 total bags, was walked 77 times, stole four bases, and had an on-base percentage of .390 and a slugging percentage of .453.

As a RedWolf, Youkilis batted .284 in 1999 with four doubles, a triple and a pair of home runs. He also scored 17 runs and tallied 16 RBIs, while featuring an on-base percentage of .424 and a slugging percentage of .373. He was also walked 31 times. Youkilis was named to the South CPL All-Star team, where he started at third base. Most recently, he was named to the Coastal Plain League All-Decade Team after the CPL celebrated its 10th Anniversary season in 2006.

For Youkilis, the Series win was his second championship with the Red Sox as he was a member of the team in 2004 as well.

Snyder (Raleigh RedWolves, 1997) took the place of Boston starter Tim Wakefield in the World Series after Wakefield announced that he would be sidelined due to a painful right shoulder.

Although he didn't see action in the World Series, Snyder went 2-3 with a respectable 3.81 ERA during the 2007 regular season for the Red Sox. In 54 1/3 innings pitched, the 6-8, 215-pound righthander surrenderd just 29 runs, 23 earned, on 45 hits, while also walking 32 and striking out 41.

After being drafted seventh overall in the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft by Kansas City, Snyder went on to make his Major League debut on May 1, 2003 with the Royals. This was his second season with Boston.

While with the Raleigh RedWolves, he pitched in six contests, earning a 3.00 ERA with no decisions. He pitched six innings, giving up three hits, two earned runs, walked three and struck out eight. He held opposing batters to a low .150 average. That year, Snyder helped Raleigh capture the first Coastal Plain League Championship after defeating Wilson, 2-0, in a best-of-three series.

Meanwhile, Speier (Florence RedWolves, 2000) appeared in relief for the Rockies in game one of the World Series. He faced three batters with the bases loaded in the fifth and walked all three.

Although he didn't make an appearance in the NLDS, he pitched one inning of scoreless baseball while striking out one to earn the save in Colorado's 3-2 11-inning win over Arizona in game two of the NLCS.

Speier pitched a total of 18 innings for the Rockies in 2007. In that time, the 6-7, 210-pound righthander has surrendered eight runs, all earned, on 20 hits, while walking eight and striking out 13. He currently sports a 4.00 ERA and 3-1 record.

While with Florence in 2000, Speier posted a 2-1 record with a low 0.31 ERA. In 29 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up only two runs, one earned, on 15 hits with 10 walks and 39 strikeouts.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Another RedWolf, Snyder, To Appear In World Series
October 24, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced Wednesday that yet another former alum will be on one of the rosters for the 2007 Major League World Series.

Kyle Snyder, who played for the Raleigh RedWolves in 1997, will take the place of Boston starter Tim Wakefield. Wakefield announced Tuesday that he will be sidelined due to a painful right shoulder. Snyder joins former RedWolves Kevin Youkilis (Boston) and Ryan Speier (Colorado) in the World Series.

Snyder went 2-3 with a respectable 3.81 ERA during the 2007 regular season for the Red Sox. In 54 1/3 innings pitched, the 6-8, 215-pound righthander surrenderd just 29 runs, 23 earned, on 45 hits, while also walking 32 and striking out 41.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(WCCBL) - WCCBL announces DeMarini All-Performance and Rawlings Gold Glove teams
October 23, 2007

WENATCHEE, WASH. - On the eve of the MLB World Series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox - showcasing two alums of WCCBL clubs, Rockies' starting pitcher Jeff Francis (Bellingham Bells) and Red Sox starting centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (Bend Elks) - the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League announced its 2007 DeMarini All-Performance and Rawlings Gold Glove teams. The awards honor the league's top hitters and fielders by position. This year's teams featured four players who excelled both offensively and defensively and were named to both teams; Wenatchee third baseman Hawkins Gebbers (pictured) of Biola, Corvallis first baseman Jim Murphy of Washington State, Moses Lake outfielder Steve Tinoco of Long Beach State and Wenatchee outfielder Zach Mandelblatt of Pomona-Pitzer.

DeMarini All-Performance

OF: Zach Mandelblatt (Pomona-Pitzer), Wenatchee AppleSox - .331
OF: Steve Tinoco (Long Beach State), Moses Lake Pirates - .331
OF: Zach Kim (San Francisco), Moses Lake Pirates - .327
1B: Jim Murphy (Washington State), Corvallis Knights - .319
2B: Curtis Van Wyck (Edmonds CC), Wentachee AppleSox - .352
SS: Derek Poppert (San Francisco), Bend Elks - .321
3B: Hawkins Gebbers (Biola), Wenatchee AppleSox - .328
C: Tyson Van Winkle (Gonzaga), Spokane RiverHawks - .336
DH: Drew George (Oregon State), Bend Elks - .326
DeMarini All-Performance selections are based on highest batting average at each position.

Rawlings Gold Gloves

OF: Zach Mandelblatt (Pomona-Pitzer), Wenatchee AppleSox - 1.000
OF: Ryan Davis (Vanderbilt), Wenatchee AppleSox - 1.000
OF: Steve Tinoco (Long Beach State), Moses Lake Pirates - 1.000
1B: Jim Murphy (Washington State), Corvallis Knights - 1.000
2B: Brandon Decker (San Diego State), Kitsap BlueJackets - .960
SS: Doug Cherry (Washington), Bellingham Bells - .948
3B: Hawkins Gebbers (Biola), Wenatchee AppleSox - .992
C: Kevin Coddington (Univ. of Illinois at Chicago), Moses Lake Pirates - .996
P: Mark Triolo (San Diego State), Bellingham Bells - 1.000
Gold Glove selections are based on fielding percentage (ties were broken by total chances).

The WCCBL is dedicated to player development, player exposure and to providing affordable summer entertainment to its member communities. For more information on the WCCBL, please visit www.wccbl.com.

(CPL) - Pair of RedWolves To Play In World Series
October 22, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - Now that the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies have punched their respective tickets for the 2007 Major League World Series, there will be two former Coastal Plain League players - both Florence RedWolves - looking to help their respective club capture the title.

The Red Sox feature former Florence player Kevin Youkilis, while the Rockies house a Red Wolf of their own in pitcher Ryan Speier. Boston and Colorado will begin the World Series on Wednesday at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Youkilis (Florence, 1999) played in 145 games during the regular season for the Red Sox. He featured a .288 average with 152 hits. Of those, 35 were doubles, two were for triples and 16 were long ball shots to go with 85 runs scored and 83 RBIs. Furthermore, Youkilis racked up 239 total bags, was walked 77 times, stole four bases, and had an on-base percentage of .390 and a slugging percentage of .453.

Speier (Florence RedWolves, 2000) has pitched a total of 18 innings for the Rockies in 2007. In that time, the 6-7, 210-pound righthander has surrendered eight runs, all earned, on 20 hits, while walking eight and striking out 13. He currently sports a 4.00 ERA and 3-1 record. Although he didn't make an appearance in the NLDS, he pitched one inning of scoreless baseball while striking out one to earn the save in Colorado's 3-2 11-inning win over Arizona in the NLCS Friday night.

While with Florence in 2000, Speier posted a 2-1 record with a low 0.31 ERA. In 29 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up only two runs, one earned, on 15 hits with 10 walks and 39 strikeouts.

For more information on the 2007 World Series, please visit: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/ps/y2007/index.jsp.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former Petersburg Star Takes A Swing To Defeat ALS
October 17, 2007

PETERSBURG, Va. - Anthony Bocchino, the 2001 Coastal Plain League Hitter of the Year is coming back to the area where he played summer baseball to join in the fight to D'Feet ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).

Bocchino, now a financial analyst with Bear Sterns in New York, recently became aware that a friend he had made during the summer he played for the Petersburg Generals has been diagnosed with ALS. On Saturday October 20th, Anthony along with his wife Danielle and his mother Nancy, will travel south from their home in Brooklyn to participate in a Walk to D'Feet ALS being held at Bryan Park in Richmond, Virginia. The event's goal is to raise $150,000 for ALS research.

In 2001, Bocchino led the CPL in hitting with a .378 average and set a league record with 68 hits; a record which stood for five years until being broken by Jimmy Gallagher of Peninsula in 2006.

As a follow up to his hot hitting summer in Petersburg, Bocchino went on to finish fifth in the country in NCAA Division I batting average for the Marist Red Foxes in 2002. That spring, Bocchino was drafted in the tenth round of the MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After four years of minor league baseball, Bocchino accepted a position on Wall Street and is eagerly awaiting the birth of his and Danielle's first child in early 2008.

For more information on how you can get involved in the Walk to D'Feet ALS, please visit http://www.alsa.org/walk/default.cfm.

The Petersburg Generals are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former Tob, Mastny, Notches ALCS Victory
October 16, 2007

BOSTON - Lost in the shuffle of a wild Fenway finish on Saturday night was another piece of Tobs history. Former Wilson pitcher Tom Mastny notched his first postseason win in relief for the Cleveland Indians.

Mastny, who was 3-5 with a 1.43 ERA for the Tobs in 2001, pitched a perfect bottom of the tenth for the Indians to preserve a 6-6 tie, then watched his offense explode while Boston relievers Eric Gagne, Javier Lopez and Jon Lester imploded, allowing seven runs in the top of the 11th as Cleveland evened the series at one game apiece.

If the pressure of extra innings in the postseason wasn't enough for the 6-6 righthander, Mastny was brought in to face the teeth of the Boston order.

Mastny calmly dispatched some of the most feared hitters in postseason history, inducing a groundout from David Ortiz, and fly ball outs from both Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell.

The difficult task took Mastny just 11 pitches, and after the game he summed up how he felt about facing three vaunted hitters with so much on the line.

"I really didn't have a choice did I? It's what we play for. It's exciting. It happened to be the heart of their order."

Despite the seven-run lead, Mastny was lifted in the bottom of the 11th for Cleveland closer Joe Borowski.

Mastny, who played his college ball at Furman and spent his first full season in the big leagues in 2007, was making his second appearance of the post season. After sitting out the ALDS against the Yankees, he has appeared in both games against Boston, pitching two shutout innings in Cleveland's 10-3 game one loss Friday night.

Mastny is the second former Tob to get a taste of the postseason, as Justin Verlander of Detroit made four starts, including two in the World Series against St. Louis, last season.

Verlander also became the first Tobs pitcher to notch a postseason win, beating Oakland on October 11, 2006, also in game two of the American League Championship Series.

After a travel day Sunday, the ALCS resumes tonight at 7:00 eastern time as Mastny's Indians host Boston in game 3. The winner of the series will take on the winner of the NLCS match up between the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado leads the series 3-0 heading into Monday night's game four from Denver.

The Wilson Tobs are a member franchise of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - CPL Alums Battle It Out in ALCS and NLCS
October 13, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - As fans watch the remaining four teams vie for a spot in the 2007 Major League World Series, they will notice some familiar names and faces from the Coastal Plain League.

The American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians pits former CPL players Kevin Youkilis of Boston and Tom Mastny of Cleveland. Meanwhile, in the National League Championship Series, Ryan Speier of the Colorado Rockies matches up against Mark Reynolds of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Youkilis (Florence RedWolves, 1999) played in 145 games during the regular season for the Red Sox. He featured a .288 average with 152 hits. Of those, 35 were doubles, two were for triples and 16 were long ball shots to go with 85 runs scored and 83 RBIs. Furthermore, Youkilis racked up 239 total bags, was walked 77 times, stole four bases, and had an on-base percentage of .390 and a slugging percentage of .453.

In the American League Division Series sweep of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Youkilis went 3-for-12 for Boston with a double, a homer, three runs scored, two RBIs and a walk. Thus far in the ALCS, he is 2-for-4 with a walk and three runs scored as the Red Sox hold a 1-0 series lead over the Indians after a 10-3 win in game one Friday night.

Mastny (Wilson Tobs, 2001 / Wilmington Sharks, 2002) pitched in 51 games during 2007, finishing the regular season with a 7-2 record and a respectable 4.68 ERA. In 57 2/3 innings pitched, the 6-6, 225-pound righthander gave up 63 hits and 30 runs, all of which were earned, while walking 32 and striking out 52. In the ALCS on Friday night against Boston, Mastny pitched two innings of one-hit baseball, while striking out two.

Like Youkilis, Mastny was also named to the Coastal Plain League All-Decade Team. In two years in the CPL, he had a career record of 7-5 and an impressive career ERA of 1.40. He pitched a total of 96 1/3 innings and allowed only 17 runs, 15 earned, on 62 hits with 22 walks and 107 strikeouts. He was also a pitcher on the North CPL All-Star team in 2002 and currently ranks in the Top 10 all-time in complete games (5) and strikeouts (107) in a career in the CPL.

While with Florence in 2000, Speier posted a 2-1 record with a low 0.31 ERA. In 29 1/3 innings pitched, he gave up only two runs, one earned, on 15 hits with 10 walks and 39 strikeouts.

Reynolds (Fayetteville SwampDogs, 2003) batted .279 on the season with 20 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs, 62 runs scored and 62 RBIs after making his Major League debut on May 16, 2007. Against the Chicago Cubs in the NL Division Series, Reynolds started all three games at third base, going 2-for-10 with a home run, two runs scored, an RBI and two walks. Thus far in the NLCS, he is 1-for-8.

In 2003, Reynolds batted .196 in 16 games - 15 of them starts for the SwampDogs. He had 11 hits, including a double and three homers to go with 10 runs scored and nine RBIs. Furthermore, he had 21 total bases, a .375 slugging percentage, six walks, a .318 on-base percentage and two stolen bases.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - River Bats' Jerzak Named Executive of the Year
October 12, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - The Northwoods League announced that Marc Jerzak, Vice President of the St. Cloud River Bats, has been named 2007 Executive of the Year. The award, which was decided by a vote of team officials at the league's annual fall meetings last week in Green Bay, WI, is given annually to the league's outstanding executive.

“Marc has worked his way up the ladder and now been rewarded by his peers for his outstanding efforts. It is an honor he is truly deserving of,” said Dick Radatz, Jr., Northwoods League President.

Jerzak, 28, recently completed his sixth season in St. Cloud and seventh in the Northwoods League overall. He began as an intern for the Alexandria Beetles in 2001 before spending the following three years with the River Bats as Assistant General Manager. He was promoted to General Manager in 2005 and held that title until the spring of this year when he took on the role of Vice President.

“This award celebrates a tremendous year and is a direct reflection of the entire River Bats organization,” Jerzak said. “The 2007 achievements were truly a team effort. Joel Sutherland, Ryan Voz and the entire staff all contributed to make the 2007 season a success.”

Jerzak, along with River Bats’ Owner/General Manager Sutherland and Vice President Voz, began the 2007 season by successfully moving the franchise into a new ballpark and finished the season as Northwoods League Champions for the third time in the team’s 11 year history.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(CPL) - Parra Named New Fayetteville Assistant Coach
October 2, 2007

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Fayetteville SwampDogs already have the all-time winningest coach in the Northwoods League history.

This month, the SwampDogs added the third winningest coach in Northwoods League history. The SwampDogs are pleased to announce that Dave Parra will join the SwampDogs staff as an assistant coach under Darrell Handelsman in the summer. In addition, he will handle the recruiting of the 2008 Fayetteville SwampDogs. The wealth of experience and knowledge that Parra brings will only help the SwampDogs grow.

Prior to joining the SwampDogs staff, Parra spent six years as a head coach and two years as an assistant coach in the Northwoods League. He got his first head coaching job in 2001 with the Brainerd Mighty Gulls. In his only year with Brainerd he lead the Mighty Gulls to the First Half championship. He then spent the next three years as the head coach for the Rochester Honkers. After three successful seasons in Rochester, he coached two seasons for the Duluth Huskies. In 2006, Parra led the Huskies to a league-record 26 wins in the first half of the season. In his six total seasons as a head man in the NWL, Parra amassed 213 wins.

Interestingly enough, before getting his first head coaching job, Parra spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Waterloo Bucks under Darrell Handelsman. In 2000, Handelsman and Parra combined forces to propel the Bucks to the league championship series.

"I'm really excited to reunite with Dave; I think we work very well together" said Head Coach Darrell Handelsman. "Dave's experience as a player, assistant coach and head coach in the NWL will be invaluable here."

Parra has already begun to recruit for the 2008 season. In the next month, the SwampDogs will be announcing several key returnees along with many new players from colleges that have never sent players to Fayetteville.

"In 1999 and 2000, Darrell and I had two successful seasons in Waterloo and I think our coaching philosophies mesh very well," said Parra.

As far as recruiting is concerned, Parra explained that, "we have a number of players already committed to play in Fayetteville next year." In addition, he also noted that many of the 2007 SwampDogs are expected to return for the 2008 season.

When opening night 2008 rolls around next May, the SwampDogs will have 633 head coaching wins in summer collegiate baseball sitting in the same dugout.

The Fayetteville SwampDogs are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - NWL Announces Offensive Players of the Year
October 1, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - The Northwoods League is pleased to announce the recipients of the league’s newest award, the Offensive Player of the Year presented by Rawlings. This award is given to the player at each position who had the best batting average.

To be eligible a player would’ve needed to have enough plate appearances at a given position to qualify for a batting title. In 2007 it took at least 180 plate appearances to be listed among the league leaders.

It’s no surprise that the 2007 Northwoods League Batting Champion, Mankato’s Nate Hanson (Minnesota), earned the award for third baseman. Hanson finished the season with a .363 average but was actually slightly better when playing third base where he hit .365. The league’s second and third best hitters, Wisconsin’s Darin Ruf (Creighton) and Brainerd’s Andy Dirks (Wichita State) who both hit .347, also saw a slight improvement in at bats while in the game at their natural position. Dirks hit .351 as an outfielder and Ruf batted .348 at first base.

To honor their achievement the eight award winners will receive an engraved bat from Rawlings. The complete list of 2007 Northwoods League Offensive Players of the Year is below.

C Danny Benedetti, Thunder Bay Border Cats, Irvine Valley Junior College, .279
1B Darin Ruf, Wisconsin Woodchucks, Creighton University, .348
2B Joe Bonadonna, Duluth Huskies, University of Illinois, .265
SS Adam Yeager, St. Cloud River Bats, University of Cincinnati, .272
3B Nate Hanson, Mankato MoonDogs, University of Minnesota, .365
OF Andy Dirks, Brainerd Blue Thunder, Wichita State University, .351
OF Tim Dellwo, Alexandria Beetles, Southern Arkansas University, .331
OF Daniel Robertson, Green Bay Bullfrogs, Concordia University at Irvine, .321

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com

(NWL) - Muniz Pitches For First Place Mets
September 26, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - Carlos Muniz accelerated through the New York Mets minor league system in the final weeks of the 2007 season and made his Major League debut Tuesday night in a 9-8 loss to the Washington Nationals. The 2002 Alexandria Beetles hurler became the second former Beetles pitcher to advance to the big leagues this September.

In his Major League debut Tuesday, Muniz pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief of Tom Glavine with the Mets trailing 6-2. He returned for the seventh and retired just one batter while two others he allowed to reach eventually scored against his replacement, reliever Jorge Sosa. Despite the loss the Mets enter play Wednesday two games ahead of Philadelphia for first place in the National League East.

Muniz, who played his college ball at Long Beach State in California, spent nearly the entire ’07 season in Double-A with the Binghamton Mets of the Eastern League. There he was the closer going 2-4 with 23 saves and a 2.45 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. The 6’1” 180 pound righty was promoted to Triple-A in time for the New Orleans Zephyrs playoff run in the Pacific Coast League where he allowed two runs in 9 2/3 innings. Muniz helped the Zephyrs defeat Nashville in four games before being swept by Sacramento in three games in the Championship Series.

In 2002, Muniz signed with the Beetles in June during the Northwoods League season following his junior year with the Dirtbags at Long Beach State. He made a huge impact on the Beetles rotation going 5-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 7 starts pitching a total of 47 innings. The Mets drafted him the following June in the 13th round. Muniz didn’t advance higher than class A ball in his first four years in the minor leagues. Another former Beetle, 2001 pitcher Josh Newman debuted for the Colorado Rockies two weeks ago.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com

(CPL) - Former RedWolf, Owen, Wins Sterling Award
September 25, 2007

FLORENCE, S.C. - Former Florence RedWolves pitcher Dylan Owen was honored by the New York Mets recently.

Each year, the Mets recognize the organization's minor league stars with the Sterling award, emblematic of the Most Valuable Player at each of the minor-league levels.

Former Sterling Award winners include Darryl Strawberry, Todd Hundley, Jason Isringhausen, Jose Reyes, David Wright, and others.

Righthander Dylan Owen was named the 2007 Cyclones' Sterling Award winner, thanks to a dominant season in which he led the New-York-Penn League in both wins (9) and ERA (1.49). Owen closed the season like a thoroughbred. In his last six starts (including the Playoffs), he allowed just one earned run over 34.0 innings. Overall, he allowed one run or less in 11of his 15 appearances, and pitched 5.0 or more innings in 13 of his 14 starts.

He began the season with five consecutive wins before taking his only loss, then won his last five decisions. In one spectacular outing, Owen took a no-decision, despite tossing 7.0 three-hit innings and racking up a season-high 11 strikeouts, without issuing a walk (9/5 vs. LOW). Owen went 3-0 against Staten Island in three regular-season games (two starts). In 13.0 innings against the Yankees, he allowed eight hits, three runs, all earned, and three walks, while striking out 14. Owen was named to the 2007 NYPL All-Star Team, and pitched one scoreless inning for the National Leaguers on August 14th at Hudson Valley’s Dutchess Stadium. He was also named the NYPL Pitcher of the Week for the week ending August 26th.

In the regular season, opponents hit just .197 against Owen, and he struck out 69 batters, while walking just 12. His 0.87 WHIP was best among Brooklyn starters, and he did not allow a home run this season. Owen went 4-1 with an 0.57 ERA in six games at KeySpan Park, and 5-0 with a 2.20 ERA in eight games on the road. He also went 1-0 in the Playoffs, pitching 5.0 shutout innings in Game Two of the Semifinals against the Yankees on September 10th.

Owen played in Florence during the summer of 2006. There, he pitched 66 2/3 innings in nine starts for the RedWolves, compiling a 6-0 record and low 0.81 ERA. Owen gave up only nine runs, six earned, on 45 hits to go with 17 walks and 78 strikeouts.

The Florence RedWolves are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit, www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Daredevils Name Lombardi New GM
September 18, 2007

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. - Daredevils’ owner Marcus Felton made it official this week that Larry Lombardi has accepted the position as the new general manager of the Outer Banks Daredevils, which plays in the Coastal Plain League. Lombardi will begin his responsibilities on September 18th.

Lombardi is looking forward to his general manager responsibilities with the team. The new GM’s first order of business will be to meet the current team sponsors and host families, in addition to reaching out and recruiting other local business owners for their help and support for the Daredevils 2008 season. Lombardi said, “we want to reach a new level of sponsorship in 2008.”

Lombardi is not new to the game of baseball. With baseball as his passion, Lombardi was a baseball coach for 14 years at Georgetown Preparatory School, located in North Bethesda, Maryland. Many of his players at Georgetown Prep went on to play at the D1 college level and major league teams drafted three of those players.

In 1989, he was instrumental in starting the DC MEN’S SENIOR BASEBALL, www.dcmsbl.com, and an adult amateur baseball league, based in the Washington, DC metro area. Today, the DCMSBL has over 1500 players and five different adult age leagues. His company, Sports League Management, LLC, manages all the administrative and business aspects of these various leagues. In 1997, he was selected as an inaugural inductee to the Men’s Senior Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Larry and his wife, Jessica, have lived in Corolla for the past three years. They have three grown adult sons and one grandson.

The Outer Banks Daredevils are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit, www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Fayetteville Named CPL Organization of the Year
September 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today that the Fayetteville SwampDogs have been selected as the 2007 CPL Organization of the Year.

The SwampDogs were selected after all 15 teams in the league - their general managers, head coaches and players - and the league office had voted on various areas of concentration regarding the past season.

”We are pleased to present this honor to Fayetteville,” said Coastal Plain League President and Commissioner Pete Bock. “Lew (Handelsman), Darrell (Handelsman) and their whole staff did a wonderful job all-around to make 2007 a successful one for the SwampDogs. We are happy to recognize the entire Fayetteville organization, as well as the community and their fans with this honor.”

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - CPL Flavor In Bricktown Showdown
September 18, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - Coastal Plain League fans will recognize a few former players during the Bricktown Showdown Triple-A Championship on Tuesday night between the International League Champion Richmond Braves and Pacific Coast Champion Sacramento River Cats.

CPL alums Buddy Hernandez and Ryan Basner will be in the bullpen for Richmond, while Landon Powell is on Sacramento as a catcher.

Hernandez (Wilmington Sharks, 1999-2000) is 9-3 with a low 3.13 ERA in 47 games for Richmond. In 74 2/3 innings pitched, the 5-9, 170-pound righthander has given up only 30 runs - 26 earned - on 76 hits while walking 18 and striking out 71.

Basner (Florence RedWolves, 2001) is currently 4-5 with a 4.31 ERA for the Braves. He has pitched in 29 games, including four starts, and racked up a total of 79 1/3 innings. In that time, the 6-3, 225-pound righty has allowed 43 runs - 38 earned - on 88 hits. He has also walked 26 and struck out 70.

Powell (Wilmington Sharks, 2001), who started the 2007 season in Double-A Midland, is batting .294 through four games for the River Cats, with five hits, including three dingers. He's racked up 14 total bases to go with three runs scored and three RBIs. While with Midland, Powell .292 through 60 games and featured nine doubles, a pair of triples and 11 home runs. He had 46 runs scored and 39 RBIs.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com

(CPL) - Former Tobs Pitcher, Pucetas, Wins Minor League Most Spectacular Pitcher Award
September 17, 2007

WILSON, N.C. - Former Wilson Tobs Pitcher Kevin Pucetas recently won "Most Spectacular Pitcher Award" presented by Minor League Baseball.

The "Most Spectacular Pitcher Award", presented by Minor League Baseball goes to the eligible pitcher with the lowest regular season ERA in a full-season league.

Kevin Pucetas was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 2006 MLB Draft out of Limestone (SC) College. Pucetas, a 22-year-old righthander for the Augusta Green Jackets of the South Atlantic League, the Single A affiliate of the Giants, received the honor after compiling a 1.86 ERA over 27 appearances spanning 145 1/3 innings in 2007. Furthermore, Pucetas had 104 strikeouts while only giving up a free pass to 21 batters.

Pucetas was an integral part of Wilson’s success for the 2005 season. While with Wilson, Pucetas was lights out by posting a 7-2 record with a 1.82 ERA over 79 innings pitched as a starter and reliever. Also, Pucetas had two complete games and two saves while holding batters to a .234 batting average.

The Wilson Tobs are a member franchise of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Former Shark, Raynor, Named South Atlantic League MVP
September 17, 2007

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Former Wilmington Sharks outfielder John Raynor was recently named Most Valuable Player of the South Atlantic League.

Raynor, now a Greensboro Grasshopper, the Single A affilliate of the Florida Marlins, lead the league this summer with an impressive 110 runs scored. He also finished second in the league with a .333 batting average.

As a Sharks player in 2005, Raynor served as a great team leader and an important asset. That summer, he batted .282 with 33 hits, including five doubles and a pair of home runs. Raynor also tallied nine RBIs and 18 runs scored to go with 44 total bases and a .387 on-base percentage. He also was a perfect 14-of-14 in stolen bases.

Furthermore, Raynor started in centerfield for the National CPL All-Stars, helping the squad to a 5-3 victory over the American team. He was also the winner of the 2005 CPL All-Star Home Run Derby.

"Right away I could tell that Raynor was going to be a valuable asset to our team and I knew he had a bright future" said Sharks Assistant GM Chris Reavis, who was the game-day operations manager the year Raynor played with the Sharks.

Raynor was also a four year standout at UNC-Wilmington.

The Wilmington Sharks are a member of the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - Sanchez, Thames Each Named Top Prospect
September 17, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - Alexandria Beetles third baseman Victor Sanchez (San Diego) and La Crosse Loggers outfielder Eric Thames (Pepperdine) each recently earned the honor of top prospect in the Northwoods League according to a pair of national baseball publications. Baseball America released its top 10 list led by Sanchez, and Perfect Game Crosschecker announced their top 25 headed by Thames. Duluth Huskies pitcher Zach Von Tersch (Georgia Tech) was rated in the top three in each list.

Sanchez joined the Beetles fresh out of Gahr High School in Norwalk, California and quickly adjusted well to his new surroundings. His average slipped below .300 in the final week of the season, and he finished hitting at .275 with 3 home runs and 18 RBI in 42 games. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 25th round and as expected didn’t sign. He’s currently enrolled at the University of San Diego for his freshman year.

Thames, a draft-eligible sophomore, went in the 39th round to the New York Yankees but turned down a contract offer and played the entire season with the Loggers. He completed the summer with a .295 average, 20 extra-base hits, 14 steals, and 43 RBI. Thames is back at Pepperdine for his junior year with the Waves.

Von Tersch was recognized as the number two prospect by PGCrosschecker.com and number three by Baseball America. The freshman right-hander went 6-3 with a 2.32 ERA striking out 75 in 78 innings for the Huskies. Duluth teammate Kyle Blair (San Diego) was rated number two in the Baseball America list after his 3-3, 2.81 ERA performance in 42 innings heading into his freshman season with the Toreros.

The complete prospect lists can be found below:

PGCrosschecker.com top 25

1) Eric Thames, OF, La Crosse (Pepperdine)
2) Zach Von Tersch, RHP, Duluth (Georgia Tech)
3) Dallas Cawiezell, RHP, Alexandria (Valparaiso)
4) Justin Walker, LHP, La Crosse (Lamar)
5) Kyle Blair, RHP, Duluth (San Diego)
6) Victor Sanchez, 3B, Alexandria (San Diego)
7) Darin Ruf, 1B, Wisconsin (Creighton)
8) Nate Hanson, 3B, Mankato (Minnesota)
9) Chad Dawson, RHP, Mankato (Indiana State)
10) Craig Fritsch, RHP, Rochester (Baylor)
11) Blake Martin, LHP, Wisconsin (Louisiana State)
12) Tony Sanchez, C, Battle Creek (Boston College)
13) Brett Jackson, OF, La Crosse (California)
14) Matt Fields, RHP, Thunder Bay (Gonzaga)
15) Willy Kesler, RHP, Wisconsin (Lamar CC)
16) Andy Marks, LHP, Duluth (Kansas)
17) Isaac Morales, LHP, St. Cloud (Cal State-LA)
18) David Sappelt, OF, Battle Creek (Coastal Carolina)
19) Dave Roberts, RHP, Green Bay (Long Beach State)
20) Aaron Senne, OF, Rochester (Missouri)
21) Andy Dirks, OF, Brainerd (Wichita State)
22) Kole Calhoun, LHP/OF, Eau Claire (Yavapai)
23) Randy Molina, 1B, Madison (Stanford)
24) Brandon Wikoff, 2B, Madison (Illinois)
25) Mike Morrison, RHP, Rochester (Cal State-Fullerton)

Baseball America top 10

1) Victor Sanchez, 3B, Alexandria (San Diego)
2) Kyle Blair, RHP, Duluth (San Diego)
3) Zach Von Tersch, RHP, Duluth (Georgia Tech)
4) Craig Fritsch, RHP, Rochester (Baylor)
5) Eric Thames, OF, La Crosse (Pepperdine)
6) Justin Walker, LHP, La Crosse (Lamar)
7) Dallas Cawiezell, RHP, Alexandria (Valparaiso)
8) Chad Dawson, RHP, Mankato (Indiana State)
9) Blake Martin, LHP, Wisconsin (Louisiana State)
10) Andy Marks, LHP, Duluth (Kansas)

(NWL) - NWL Announces Rawlings Silver Glove Winners
September 14, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - The Northwoods League, in conjunction with Rawlings, has announced the recipients of the 2007 Silver Glove Award. The Silver Glove is awarded annually to the League's "Finest in the Field", recognizing the top fielders at each position.

A total of ten players will receive the award this year due to a tie at the pitcher position. The Duluth Huskies, Mankato MoonDogs, and St. Cloud River Bats all have two players that earned the honor. Three of the Silver Glove recipients also were named to the Postseason All-Star team last month, including Duluth second baseman Joe Bonadonna (Illinois), Mankato third baseman Nate Hanson (Minnesota), and Alexandria outfielder Josh Upchurch (Florida Gulf Coast).

The winners are selected based on final official fielding statistics compiled by league statistician Sports Ticker, a Cheshire, Connecticut based sports statistical service company.

The 2007 Rawlings Silver Glove Award Winners are:

Catcher Eric Nielsen, Madison Mallards, Purdue University
First Base Tony Plagman, Duluth Huskies, Georgia Institute of Technology
Second Base Joe Bonadonna, Duluth Huskies, University of Illinois
Third Base Nate Hanson, Mankato MoonDogs, University of Minnesota
Shortstop Travis Hendrix, Waterloo Bucks, University of Northern Iowa
Outfielder Josh Upchurch, Alexandria Beetles, Florida Gulf Coast University
Outfielder DJ Belfonte, St. Cloud River Bats, University of Nebraska
Outfielder Pat Colwell, Eau Claire Express, San Diego State University
Pitcher (tie) Buddy Baumann, St. Cloud River Bats, Missouri State University
Pitcher (tie) Matt Mossey, Mankato MoonDogs, North Dakota State University

(NWL) - Lefty Newman Called Up By Rockies
September 13, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - Former Alexandria Beetles pitcher Josh Newman joins the growing list of Northwoods League alumni to play in the Major Leagues. Newman made his debut for the Colorado Rockies Wednesday night in the club’s 12-0 win at Philadelphia. Newman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the victory for the contending Rockies who begin the day 2 ½ games out of the National League Wild Card.

Newman pitched for the Beetles in their inaugural season in 2001. The then freshman from Ohio State went 3-3 in 11 games, starting 10 of them and finishing with a 3.78 ERA in 69 innings. The 6’1” 200 pound left-hander becomes the second player from that Beetles team to advance to the big leagues joining current Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeremy Accardo.

Newman has been a relief pitcher in the Rockies farm system for his entire professional career. Pitching this year for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, Newman was 3-2 with a 4.06 ERA in 62 innings. The Portsmouth, Ohio native made 55 appearances and struck out 49 batters. The Rockies selected Newman in the 19th round of the 2004 draft.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(CPL) - Hardy Named Carolina League POTY
September 10, 2007

MARTINSVILLE, VA. - Former Martinsville Mustangs pitcher, Rowdy Hardy was named the 2007 Carolina League Pitcher of the Year last week after a stellar season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Kansas City Organization also tabbed Hardy as their 2007 Organizational Pitcher of the Year.

Hardy, who spent the 2005 summer in Martinsville, finished the regular season with a 2.48 ERA and a 15-5 record on the mound for the Kansas City High A Affiliate. In 167 innings of work Hardy allowed only 144 hits and 16 walks, holding opponents to a .239 batting average against while striking out 91.

While a member of the Mustangs, Hardy finished the summer with a 6-4 record and low 1.87 ERA. He pitched 77 complete innings, surrendering 32 runs, 16 earned, on 73 hits. Hardy also walked 22, while striking out 52.

The Martinsville Mustangs are a member of the Coastal Plain League, which features 15 teams across the Carolinas and Virginia. For more information on the CPL, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(NWL) - Two NWL Alumni Join MLB Ranks
September 7, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN. - The expanded rosters in September have given two former Northwoods League pitchers their first crack at the big leagues. Lefty Willie Collazo and righty Lance Broadway each received the much anticipated phone call earlier this week. For Collazo, a 1999 member of the Waterloo Bucks, the journey to Major Leagues was a bit longer than that for Broadway, a 2004 star for the Wisconsin Woodchucks.

Collazo made his Major League debut Wednesday for the New York Mets with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Cincinnati Reds. In his seventh season in the Minor Leagues, the 5’9” 170 pound Puerto Rican was 6-5 with four saves splitting time as a starter and a reliever for the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. The former Florida International hurler had a 2.46 ERA in 98 2/3 innings. In Waterloo in 1999, Collazo went 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA in 11 starts for the Bucks. The then Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College standout was second in the Northwoods League in wins (9) and strikeouts (82) and fourth in innings pitched (86 1/3). Collazo was a 10th round draft choice by the Atlanta Braves in 2001.

Broadway has yet to make his debut for the Chicago White Sox but when he does it could be the start of a very special career for one of the most dominant pitchers in Northwoods League history. For the Woodchucks in 2004, the 6’2” 210 pound Dallas native went 5-1 leading the league with a 1.80 ERA and 95 strikeouts in just 65 innings. His NWL highlight came when he no-hit the Alexandria Beetles on June 25th of that year with a 15 strikeout performance. The following June the White Sox selected Broadway out of Texas Christian University in the 1st round with the 15th overall pick. In his third year in the minors, Broadway went 8-9 with 4.65 ERA in 27 starts for the Charlotte Knights of the Triple-A International League.

For more information on the Northwoods League, please visit www.northwoodsleague.com.

(CPL) - Edenton's McKellar Breaks CPL Career Wins Record
August 2, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today that Edenton pitcher Coleman McKellar of Francis Marion broke the league record for most wins by a pitcher in a career last night.

McKellar, who had tied the record of 13 earlier in the season, picked up career win number 14 Wednesday night in Outer Banks. The Steamers defeated the Daredevils, 6-0, giving McKellar his third win of the 2007 season.

With the win, McKellar surpasses Buddy Hernandez (Wilmington 1999-2000) and Aaron Martin (Fayetteville 2006-07) – both of whom have 13 career wins – as the all-time career wins leader in Coastal Plain League history.

The 6-1, 200-pound junior righthander earned a 7-2 record with the Steamers in 2005 and then went 4-1 in 2006. So far in 2007, he is 3-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA through five appearances – four of them starts – on the mound. McKellar has pitched 27 innings this season, giving up only one unearned run on 18 hits, while walking three and striking out 11.

For more information on the Coastal Plain League please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - Peninsula Pilots' Skipper Reid Named Assistant Coach At Army
July 19, 2007

HAMPTON, VA. - The Peninsula Pilots announced today that head coach Matt Reid has accepted an assistant coaching position at the United States Military Academy at West Point and will resign his position with the Pilots effective immediately.

Reid, who is the longest tenured head coach in franchise history, will be tasked with hitting and infield instruction, as well as share recruiting responsibilities with the Black Knights. He replaces Nick Schnabel at Army, who was named assistant head coach at Liberty University.

"It was an unbelievable experience working for Henry and Hank [Morgan]," said Reid. "The last two seasons we were very successful in building a quality ball club. It is a great organization to be a part of, both on an off the field."

The former UNC-Asheville assistant finished his Peninsula career with the most wins in franchise history while compiling a 58-38 record in two seasons.

"We are overjoyed that he has been given this opportunity," said Pilots' general manager Hank Morgan. "That's a very special place he's going to and he will be a great fit there."

Morgan continued, "We're very happy Matt has used this opportunity with the Coastal Plain League to move on through the coaching ranks."

Last summer, Reid guided Peninsula to a franchise record 37 wins and lead the club to the championship game of the 2006 Petitt Cup Tournament where the Pilots fell to Thomasville, 6-1.

Reid is the second Pilots coach to leave the club this season, joining former pitching coach Chris Francis, who was named assistant coach at Mansfield University earlier this month.

Reid's successor is expected to be announced later this week.

The Peninsula Pilots compete in the Coastal Plain League. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit www.coastalplain.com.

(CPL) - National CPL All-Stars Defeat American Squad, 9-3
July 17, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The National CPL All-Stars strung together five runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to break a seesaw battle and defeat the American CPL All-Stars by the score of 9-3 Tuesday night at Capital City Stadium in Columbia, S.C.

The National squad jumped out to an early 2-0 lead when Thomasville's Kyle Roller (East Carolina) singled down the right-field line to score Thomasville's Chris Swauger (The Citadel) and Asheboro's Rob Lyerly (Campbell).

The American team, however, would answer in time, scoring three runs over the first three innings to take a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the first, Fayetteville's Dominic Altobelli (Illinois) doubled down the line in right and then later scored off a single to left by Frank Pesanello (Northeastern) of Petersburg. An inning later, National starter Justin Lilly (Campbell) of Outer Banks) gave up a pair of singles and walked one to load the bases for the American squad. Another walk to Gastonia's Zac Kennedy (NW Shoals C.C.) would bring in Brett Mieras (Creighton) of Martinsville to make it 2-2.

New Bern pitcher Chris Gloor (Quinnipiac) came in to start the third and retired the side rather quickly. The 6-6, 260-pound lefty would go on to pitch two innings of hitless baseball, while striking out three.

The American All-Stars would take the lead in the bottom half of the third when Brian Conley (Towson) of Edenton connected on a one-out single through the right side and then advanced when Mike Lyon (Northeastern) of Petersburg reached first on an error by the third baseman. Conley and Lyon would move up to second and third on a passed ball, and Conley would later score the go-ahead run when Mieras reached on an error by the shortstop.

In the top of the fifth inning, Edenton's Tony Kostelnik (Point Park) led off with a single to second. He later advanced to third on a double by Wes Hobson (Appalachian State) of Gastonia and scored off a groundout double-play by Florence's Nick Liles (Western Carolina) to tie the game at 3-3. In the bottom of the fifth, Peninsula's Michael Bowman (VMI) pitched a hitless inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced to later pick up the win for the National team.

The National squad would then score the game's last six runs in the sixth and seventh innings to close the door on the American team.

Thomasville's Rich Poythress (Georgia) led off the sixth with a walk and then scored off a triple to left-center field by Edenton's Kevin Mattison (UNC-Asheville). Kyle Bowley (USC-Upstate) of Spartanburg then hit a ground-rule double to right to score Mattison. Another base hit, this time by Thomasville's Richard Jones (The Citadel), advanced Bowley to third. Jones stole second before Brent Weiss (George Mason) of Wilmington singled to center field and later advanced on the throw to score both Bowley and Jones. Hobson singled to left next, scoring Weiss to give the National All-Stars a 8-3 advantage. They would tack on one more in the seventh when Bowley singled up the middle to score Poythress from second.

After the game, the League honored the Rawlings Offensive and Defensive Players of the All-Star Game. Bowley took home the Rawlings Offensive Player trophy after going 2-for-3, with a ground-rule double two RBIs and a run scored. Meanwhile, Hodges was selected as the Rawlings Defensive Player of the Game. The 6-2, 190-pound junior righthander exhibited strong command and pitched one inning, surrendering only one hit, while walking none and striking out one.

The Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

(WCCBL) - WCCBL Commissioner Jim Dietz announced the league's
2007 All-Star teams as selected by the East and West head coaches
July 11, 2007

WENATCHEE, Washington - The West All-Star team features six players from the host Bellingham Bells including league ERA leader Paul Applebee of University of California, Riverside and WCCBL co-Player of the Week Stephen Fife of University of Utah. Applebee is 2-0 over 4 starts and has posted the league’s lowest ERA for starting pitchers at 0.68. Fife is also 2-0 over 4 starts and his ERA is a miniscule 0.69.

The East team showcases nine Moses Lake Pirates including ace pitcher Dale Reneau of Oral Roberts and WCCBL co-Player of the Week outfielder Steve Tinoco of Long Beach State. Reneau leads the league in strikeouts with 37 and is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA over 4 starts and 5 appearances. Tinoco’s .325 batting average is eighth best in the league.

The league’s second annual All-Star event sponsored by Nike is scheduled for July 16-17 in Bellingham, Washington. The All-Star game is Tuesday, July 17 at Joe Martin Field. Game time is 7 pm (gates will open early). Fans are welcome to watch batting practice, which will be followed by a homerun derby featuring a slugger from each WCCBL team.

Visit wccbl.com for more league information and to check out the East and West All-Star teams.

(NWL) - Gorzelanny, Neshek Up For Final Vote
Former NWL Pitchers Looking To Make First All-Star Game
July 2, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN - A pair of former Northwoods League hurlers are awaiting the results of the Monster All-Star Final Vote to award one additional player from each league with a trip to the 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star in San Francisco next Tuesday, July 10th.

Tom Gorzelanny is a left-handed starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He suited up for the St. Cloud River Bats in 2001. This season Gorzelanny is 8-4 in 17 starts with a 3.05 ERA. He's tossed 112 innings and has 70 strikeouts to go along with 33 walks.

Pat Neshek is a right-handed reliever for the Minnesota Twins and he pitched in the Northwoods League for the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2000. In 38 appearances this season Neshek is 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA. He's pitched 39.1 innings and has allowed only six runs while striking out 47 and walking just 12 batters.

(NWL) - Reigning MVP Navarro Jr., Signs With Angels
Tigers Sign 2006 NWL Batting Champ
June 27, 2007

ROCHESTER, MN - The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club has announced that Efren Navarro, Jr. (UNLV) has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Angels selected Navarro, Jr. in the 50^th round of the 2007 MLB First Year Player Draft with the 1,450^th pick. Navarro Jr., will play for Los Angeles of Anaheim’s rookie league affiliate, the Tempe Angels of the Arizona League.

A three-year veteran with the Honkers and the 2006 Northwoods League MVP, Navarro, Jr. was having another great season. As of June 24, he had played in 15 games and was hitting .408 with an on-base percentage of .532.

“I’m ready, excited and nervous,” said Navarro, Jr. “Ever since I was little getting drafted has always been a dream of mine, and now the time is here.”

Navarro, Jr. left the team on Monday. In his last game in a Honkers uniform, he went 3-for-3 with a double and a run scored in a losing effort at Duluth. “I’m excited to move on but I am going to miss playing in Rochester,” said Navarro, Jr.

Worth Agrees To Terms, Other Top Picks Debut

The 2006 Northwoods League Batting Champion is in Lakeland, Florida today signing his professional contract. Shortstop Danny Worth (Pepperdine) of the Alexandria Beetles was a second round selection and 91^st pick overall by the Detroit Tigers in this month's draft. Worth, known best for his defense, won the NWL batting title with a .341 average last year. He also stole 29 bases to go along with the league's second best slugging percentage at .450. Worth will report directly to High Class A ball with the Lakeland Tigers of the Florida State League.

The two Northwoods League Alumni selected ahead of Worth in this year's draft have both begun their professional careers. The 52^nd pick overall Matt Mangini (Oklahoma State) is hitting .278 with three doubles through five games with the Everett AquaSox of the Class A Northwest League. Mangini is in the Seattle Mariners organization after being drafted in the compensatory portion of the first round. The third baseman played for the Thunder Bay Border Cats in 2005 batting .342 with 20 extra-base hits and 45 RBI during the 'Cats Northwoods League Championship season.

Jordan Zimmerman (Wisconsin-Stevens Point) made his pro debut Monday with two scoreless innings in relief for the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Class A New York-Penn League. Zimmerman went in the second round of the draft, 67^th overall to the Washington Nationals. The righty was 4-2 with a 1.01 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 80.1 innings for the Eau Claire Express in 2006.

(WCCBL) - Beavers win College World Series while alum Jorge Reyes of the Moses Lake Pirates is named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player
June 24, 2007

Omaha, NE - The Oregon State Beavers of the Pac-10 beat North Carolina of the ACC 9-3 Sunday night to sweep the Tar Heels in the College World Series championship series. With the victory, the defending champs are the first team to repeat in Omaha since the LSU Tigers in 1996-1997.

WCCBL alum Jorge Reyes of the Moses Lake Pirates was named Most Outstanding Player at the 2007 College World Series. Reyes tossed 12 1/3 innings and won both his CWS starts vs. Cal State Fullerton and North Carolina. The freshman from Warden, Washington gave up one run vs. Fullerton and three vs. the Tar Heels in game one of the championship series. The frosh finished the season 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA over 11 starts and 24 appearances. Reyes struck out 64 over 81 1/3 innings pitched and the opposition hit only .239 off Jorge.

Oregon State finished 10-14 in the Pac-10 and was unranked entering the post-season. The Beavers beat host Virginia of the ACC in their regional and swept Michigan of the Big Ten at home in their Super Regional. OSU went on to go undefeated in Omaha beating Fullerton, Arizona State, UC Irvine and UNC twice.

Reyes is scheduled to report to Moses Lake once the Beavers return. He's slated to either start in the Pirates home series with Kelowna June 29-July 1 or back in Corvallis at Goss Stadium vs. the Corvallis Knights on Tuesday, July 3.

In six appearances with the Pirates last summer, Reyes was 0-1 with a 2.19 ERA over 12 1/3 innings.

(NWL) - Terry Ryan Heads All-Star Banquet
Minnesota Twins General Manager Will Speak
June 22, 2007

MANKATO, MN - The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is proud to announce they will be hosting the 2007 Northwoods League All-Star Banquet on Tuesday, July 10, at the Best Western in Mankato at 6:00 pm. Guest speakers will be highlighted by Minnesota Twins General Manager Terry Ryan along with Northwoods League President Dick Radatz, Jr., MoonDogs Owner and President Joe Schwei, and MoonDogs General Manager Kyle Mrozek. The banquet will also feature the Northwoods League North and South Division All-Stars.

Terry Ryan has been the Vice President and General Manager of the Minnesota Twins since 1994. In 2002, the Twins were named Organization of the Year by Baseball America and Sportsticker, and Ryan was named Executive of the Year by Sporting News, a feat he repeated in 2006. In addition to the awards given by the Sporting News, Baseball America named Ryan Executive of the Year in 2004 and the Negro League Baseball Museum honored Ryan with their 2006 Rube Foster Award for best Major League Baseball executive. Ryan is the head of a Twins organization that has won four out of the last five American League Central Division Championships.

Dick Radatz, Jr. is the co-founder and current president of the Northwoods League. Prior to starting the Northwoods League, Radatz worked for the Los Angeles Dodgers as an administrative assistant, and for the Boston Red Sox in several positions, including General Manager of the Red Sox New York-Penn League team, manager of the business operations for the Red Sox Spring Training, and as General Manager of the Red Sox Florida State League team, where he was named Executive of the Year. Radatz also served as the Assistant Director of Operations for Michigan Special Olympics.

MoonDogs Owner Joe Schwei spent five seasons as General Manager of the