The Beloit Snappers have finalized their upcoming 2008 home schedule. 2008 will be the Snappers' 27th season of baseball in Beloit. For the fifth consecutive season the Snappers will open up right here at beautiful Pohlman Field. Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 3rd against the Kane County Cougars at 6:30 pm. The Snappers will play a four game series against Kane County from April 3rd to April 6th.
The Snappers will play 16 home games in the month of April, including three weekend series against the Kane County Cougars (April 3-6), Fort Wayne Wizards (April 11-13), and the in-state rival Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (April 18-20).
Pohlman Field will also host a rematch of the Midwest League Finals with the Snappers taking on the West Michigan Whitecaps July 16th through July 18th. Last season the Whitecaps defeated the Snappers in Game Five of the Midwest League Championship Series to claim their second consecutive title. Beloit will look to avenge this loss during the three game series in July.
The Snappers will host the Peoria Chiefs (Chicago Cubs' affiliate) for two series here at Pohlman Field (May 16-18 and August 9-12). Last season the Chiefs were managed by former Chicago Cub and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
The Snappers close out the regular season at home for an eight game homestand against both the Kane County Cougars (August 25-28) and the Burlington Bees (August 29-September 1).
Beloit will also have 15 fireworks display(s) this season presented by Melrose Pyrotechnics. Fireworks dates are as follows:
- Saturday, May 17th at 6:30 pm (vs. Peoria Chiefs)
- Friday, May 23rd at 6:30 pm (vs. Burlington Bees)
- Saturday, May 24th at 6:30 pm (vs. Burlington Bees)
- Thursday, June 12th at 7:00 pm (vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels)
- Friday, June 27th at 7:00 pm (vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels)
- Saturday, June 28th at 7:00 pm (vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels)
- Friday, July 4th at 7:00 pm (vs. Clinton LumberKings)
- Friday, July 18th at 7:00 pm (vs. West Michigan Whitecaps)
- Saturday, July 19th at 7:00 pm (vs. Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)
- Friday, August 1st at 7:00 pm (vs. Lansing Lugnuts)
- Saturday, August 2nd at 7:00 pm (vs. Lansing Lugnuts)
- Saturday, August 9th at 7:00 pm (vs. Peoria Chiefs)
- Friday, August 15th at 7:00 pm (vs. Swing of the Quad Cities)
- Saturday, August 30th at 7:00 pm (vs. Burlington Bees)
- Sunday, August 31st at 5:00 pm (vs. Burlington Bees)
Individual game tickets will be on sale starting March 3, 2008. Season tickets for the 2008 season are now available by phone at 608-362-2272, The Official Website of the Beloit Snappers, or at the Pohlman Field box office located at 2301 Skyline Drive in Beloit.
The Snappers' 2008 promotional schedule will be released as soon as it is finalized.
The Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, released the team's complete 2008 schedule as well as a new logo commemorating the 15th Season of Trenton Thunder Baseball on Thursday.
The 15th Season logo features Waterfront Park's signature cupola and brick façade that adorn the stadium's picturesque front. The 15th Season logo was designed by Studio Simon, the same designers who worked with the Thunder to create the new primary logo, alternate logo and word marks that were unveiled last August.
The 2008 season will begin on April 3 in Binghamton, NY as the Thunder will face the Binghamton Mets (NY Mets). The Thunder will begin the home schedule on April 10 at 7:05 PM as they host the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals). The Thunder will once again play weekday night games starting at 7:05 PM. Sunday games will again start at 1:05 PM with the exception of Sunday, July 13 and Sunday, August 31 which will start at 6:05 PM. The team's two Saturday games in April will start at 1:05 PM with all other Saturday games beginning at 7:05 PM.
The Thunder have scheduled five mid-week day games. On Wednesday, April 11 and Wednesday, May 14 the games will begin at 11:05 AM and be known as "NJEA Educational Days". The Thunder offer baseball themed lesson plans for teachers to download at trentonthunder.com. The games on Thursday, June 26, Monday, July 14 and Thursday, July 31 are being called "Day Camp Days" and will begin at 12:05 PM.
The Thunder began play in 1994 and will celebrate their 15th Season in Trenton in 2008. The 2008 promotional and giveaway schedule will be released soon and more details concerning the 15th Season Celebration will be announced at a later date.
Season Tickets and Group Outings are on sale now by calling 609-394-3300 or fans can visit The Trenton Thunder*Baseball Team for more information.
New Britain, CT - The Minnesota Twins today announced their 2008 Minor League managerial and coaching assignments, and the New Britain Rock Cats will have a new Field Manager and Pitching Coach for the 2008 Eastern League season.
Bobby Cuellar, a former big league Pitcher who spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates as their Bullpen Coach, will come to New Britain to manage the 2008 Rock Cats. The 55-year-old resident of Alice, TX has already enjoyed a distinguished career as a Pitching Coach with three different organizations (Seattle, 1995-96; Montreal, 1997-2000; and Minnesota/Rochester, 2002-2005) where he helped guide three Pitchers (Randy Johnson, 1995; Pedro Martinez, 1997; and Johan Santana, 2004) to the Cy Young Award. Mr. Cuellar last managed at Single-A Wausau (Seattle/AL) in the Midwest League during the 1986-87 seasons. A right-handed Pitcher at the University of Texas , Cuellar helped the Longhorns to three College World Series appearances before being selected by the Rangers in the 29th round of the 1974 Draft. He made his major league debut with Texas in 1977; his brief MLB career concluded that same year with a 0-0 record and 1.29 ERA. Cuellar will be the 13th Field Manager in New Britain franchise history.
Cuellar replaces 41-year-old Riccardo Ingram, a Lilburn, GA native who served as the Rock Cats Field Manager for the 2006 and 2007 Seasons. An articulate and accessible gentleman, Ingram has been promoted to the Triple-A level where he will serve as Hitting Coach for the Rochester Red Wings in the International League. In this new assignment, Ingram will be reunited with Red Wings' manager Stan Cliburn; the two collaborated in the same capacities in New Britain in the 2003 Season. Ingram was credited for his instruction of future Minnesota stars C Joe Mauer (2006 American League Batting Champion) and 1B Justin Morneau (2006 American League MVP).
Steve Mintz, a 38-year-old resident of Leland, NC , will join Cuellar and serve as the Rock Cats' Pitching Coach in 2008. Selected as a Catcher by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1995 Draft, Mintz was later converted to Pitcher and enjoyed a 12-year professional career on the hill. He pitched briefly in the big leagues for both San Francisco (1995) and Anaheim (1999), appearing in a total of 17 MLB games and compiling a 1-2 career record. He has served for the last six seasons as the Pitching Coach at lower levels (Rookie League/Gulf Coast Twins; Single-A Beloit) in the Minnesota farm system.
Mintz replaces Gary Lucas, who served for two seasons (2006-2007) as the Rock Cats' Pitching Coach. The 53-year-old Lucas has been assigned the 2008 Pitching Coach duties at Single-A Beloit, a little closer to his Rice Lake, WI home.
Floyd Rayford, the 50-year-old resident of Silver Spring, MD who played 7 years in the Baltimore and St. Louis organizations, will return in 2008 for his fourth season as New Britain 's Hitting Coach. Under Rayford's tutelage, the Rock Cats led the Eastern League in Hitting last season with a Team Batting Average of .277.
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A, Eastern League affiliate of the American League's Minnesota Twins. The Rock Cats will open their 2008 Season - the franchise's 26th straight year of professional baseball in New Britain - against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox affiliate) on Thursday, April 3rd. Many good seats remain available for Opening Day/2008 and all 70 other 2008 Season games scheduled for play at New Britain Stadium. Fans interested in securing tickets may do so by visiting the Stadium Box Office between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM (Monday-Friday) or by calling the Rock Cats at (860) 224-8383 or visiting the club's website at rockcats.com: Home.
OMAHA - The Omaha Royals announced today that Werner Enterprises, Inc., an Omaha-based global transportation services company will be the presenting sponsor for the 2008 baseball season. Werner Enterprises was the presenting sponsor for the 2007 season which was the first of its kind for the club. Werner Enterprises' sponsorship will be evident both at Rosenblatt and in the community. Once again the season will feature fireworks, on-field promotions and charitable activities, all in celebration of the 40th season of Omaha Royals baseball in Omaha.
"The Omaha Royals have some terrific plans for this 40th season to make it a memorable year for everyone and an opportunity to see some really good baseball. Werner Enterprises' commitment to the team and to our marketing efforts is something we really appreciate. We are excited to be working with a company of their stature," said Alan Stein, President of the Omaha Royals.
The Omaha Royals have set some aggressive goals to raise the level of entertainment and their commitment to the community. The Royals plan to include Friday night fireworks, more of Casey's antics, non-stop promotional activities during games and the likelihood that someone new could get "pied" this season. The number of special events to raise awareness - and money - for various charities throughout the Omaha area will continue and is expected to increase during the 2008 season.
Sponsorship of the Omaha Royals is a natural fit for Werner Enterprises, whose name - and distinctive fleet of trucks - is well grounded in the roots of American commerce. "I was impressed with the 2007 season," said Greg Werner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Werner Enterprises. "The Omaha Royals made a special effort to display such commitment to the community and to the fans that I can only anticipate a more successful season next year."
Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is a premier transportation and logistics company, with coverage throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. Werner maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, with offices throughout North America and China. Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United States, with a diversified portfolio of transportation services that includes dedicated, medium-to-long haul, regional and local van capacity, expedited, temperature-controlled and flatbed. Werner's Value Added Services portfolio includes freight management, truck brokerage, intermodal, load/mode and network optimization and freight forwarding. Werner, through its subsidiary companies, is a licensed U.S. NVOCC, a TSA approved Indirect Air Carrier and an IATA Accredited Cargo Agent.
Werner Enterprises' common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the symbol WERN. The Werner Web site address is Werner Enterprises.
The Omaha Royals will start its 40th season as the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A affiliate with the season and home opener on April 3, 2008 when they host Albuquerque.
The Royals provide quality, family-oriented entertainment at a family-friendly cost. A member of the prestigious Pacific Coast League, the Royals drew more than 326,000 fans to 68 home dates at Rosenblatt Stadium in 2007, the club's 20th consecutive season of drawing more than 300,000 fans. Omaha is one of just thirty top-tier cities to play host to Triple-A baseball (other cities include Sacramento, Memphis, New Orleans, Austin and Portland
West Sacramento, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics today named River Cats Manager Tony DeFrancesco as their third base coach for the 2008 season. DeFrancesco led the Sacramento River Cats to three PCL Championships in his five-year tenure with the team, capping his run by winning the 2007 PCL and Triple-A Championships last month.
During DeFrancesco's five years at Sacramento, the River Cats compiled a 413-307 record and won four Pacific Coast League Southern Division titles and three PCL titles (2003-04; 2007). The 44-year-old DeFrancesco has spent the last 14 seasons managing in the A's minor league system. He was named the 2003 Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year and also earned The Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year award after guiding the River Cats to a 92-52 regular season mark. Both managers in River Cats' history (DeFrancesco and current A's manager Bob Geren) are now with Oakland.
"The entire River Cats organization is thrilled for Tony and his family," said Alan Ledford, President, GM and COO of the River Cats. "His extraordinary record of success with the River Cats speaks for itself.
"On behalf of the River Cats and all of our fans we would like to congratulate Tony and thank him for all he has accomplished."
DeFrancesco will join Ty Van Burkleo (hitting), Ron Romanick (bullpen), Don Wakamatsu (bench), Tye Waller (first base) and Curt Young (pitching) on Manager Bob Geren's coaching staff next season.
DeFrancesco's 14-year minor league managerial record, which includes stops with the A's Arizona Rookie League team (1994), Short-A Southern Oregon (1995-96), Single-A Visalia (1997-98), Double-A Midland (1999-2002) and Sacramento stands at 935-831.
A former catcher, DeFrancesco was a ninth round selection of the Boston Red Sox in the 1984 June Draft and spent eight seasons in the minor leagues with the Boston and Cincinnati organizations. A graduate of Suffern (NY) High School, DeFrancesco played three seasons at Seton Hall University.
The Oakland A's and Sacramento River Cats expect to name a replacement for DeFrancesco in the coming months.
ROUND ROCK - In a continual effort to help show support for the country's Armed Forces, the Round Rock Express recently raised more than $10,000 for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which serves the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
The Express donned special patriotic jerseys as part of Round Rock's Military Appreciation Night on June 23. Those jerseys were then autographed and auctioned off to the public with all of the proceeds going directly to the fund.
With the auction's close, fans helped to raise $10,626.21 for the fund marking the most successful online auction to date for the Express, which began offering online auctions during the 2007 season.
"We take pride in being able to give back to those soldiers and soldiers' families who give so much to us," said Round Rock president Jay Miller. "We've found ways to support our armed forces in the past, but with the help of the online auctions, we were able to connect our fans to something really special this year."
The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a leader in supporting the men and women of the Armed Forces and their families. Started in 2000 under the auspices of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, and established as an independent not-for-profit organization in 2003, the Fund has provided close to $60 million in support for the families of military personnel lost in service to our nation and for severely wounded military personnel and veterans. These efforts are funded entirely with donations from the public, and hundreds of thousands of individuals have contributed to the Fund.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend to get in the Halloween spirit? This is the last weekend of Terror Park at Cooper Stadium! It has been a lot of fun and there has been a great turnout so far. Tonight's hours are 7:30 PM to 10 PM and on Friday and Saturday the hours are 7:30 PM to Midnight.
Baseball America announced that four more Clippers are going to test the free agent market, outfielder Brandon Watson, closer Chris Booker, pitcher Winston Abreu and pitcher Beltran Perez.
Brandon Watson (right) drew national media attention when he broke a 95-year-old International League record when he hit in 43 consecutive games from May 1st thru June 17th. Watty finished third in the league in hitting with a .313 average.
Chris Booker (left) saved 30 ball games, the third highest total in Columbus history. Book allowed just one earned run after the All-Star break.
Winston Abreu (3-0, 1.20 ERA, 5 SV) nearly broke a 45-year-old International League record when he struck out 21 hitters over nine innings. The record is 22 strikeouts by Columbus Jets Bob Veale in 1962. The 30-year-old right-hander followed that feat by pitching nine innings of no-hit ball over six appearances. Winnie struck out 14.1 batters per nine innings.
Beltran Perez, a 25-year-old starting pitcher, was 6-6 with a 4.37 ERA in 22 games with Harrisburg and 1-1 and 1-1 with a 7.27 ERA with Columbus last season.
The Washington Nationals added right-handed pitcher Garrett Mock, left-handed pitcher Justin Jones, first baseman Josh Whitesell and outfielder Roger Bernadina. Nationals Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.
The 6-foot-4 Mock is currently participating in the Arizona Fall League. Mock, 24, fanned 7.5 batters per 9.0 innings and finished 2-7 with a 5.12 ERA at three levels in the Nationals' system in 2007. He entered the season ranked by Baseball America among the Nationals' top 12 prospects. Mock, Arizona's third-round selection in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, was acquired by Washington with left-handed pitcher Matt Chico on August 7, 2006 as part of the deal that sent Livan Hernandez to the Arizona. He is 25-28 with a 4.48 ERA in four professional seasons.
Jones, 23, went 11-8 with a 3.72 ERA in 22 games at three levels in Washington's system this season. Selected from Minnesota by the Nationals in the minor-league phase of the '06 Rule 5 Draft, Jones' 11 wins ranked third in Washington's minor-league system in '07. The Cubs' 2nd-round selection in the '02 First-Year Player Draft, Jones is 31-27 with a 3.39 ERA during his six-year professional career, during which he has averaged 7.9 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched. He is a boyhood friend of Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
The 25 year-old Whitesell is coming off a season in which he hit .284 and set career bests with 21 home runs, 74 RBI and an astounding .425 on-base percentage in 119 games with Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Not only did Whitesell rank second in the Eastern League in on-base percentage, he ranked among organization leaders in home runs (tied for third) and RBI (fourth). He was also voted the best defensive first baseman in the Eastern League as part of Baseball America's annual polling of league managers. A sixth-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Whitesell is a career .270 hitter with 105 doubles, 79 home runs and 269 RBIs in five seasons as a pro.
Bernadina made his Triple-A debut with Columbus this season, but spent the majority of the 2007 campaign with Harrisburg, where he hit .270 (100-for-371) with 15 doubles, six home runs and 36 RBI in 97 games. Bernadina posted a .340 Eastern League on-base percentage en route to a career-best 40 stolen bases which not only led all Nationals minor leaguers, but ranked second in the Eastern League. The 23 year-old Bernadina is a career .250 hitter who owns an on-base percentage of .340 and 139 stolen bases in six professional seasons.
MLB reports...
Trade talk: The Nationals are in trade talks on a daily basis, but one guy who is not on their list to acquire is Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp. While he is a very good center fielder, Crisp has a career .329 on-base percentage, which is not appealing to the Nationals.
Crisp, who was in a slump during the American League Championship Series against the Indians, found himself on the bench for Games 6 and 7. The Red Sox played Jacoby Ellsbury in those two games instead.
The Nationals are looking for a middle-of-the-order bat and a leadoff hitter for the long haul.
Maxwell house: For now, the Nationals don't see Justin Maxwell as the starting center fielder next year, but, according to general manager Jim Bowden, he will compete for the job in Spring Training.
"We project him to be in Double-A, but we are open [to anything]. This a very young talented player with great makeup," Bowden said. "I'm always open to competition. We didn't expect Ryan Zimmerman to be in the big leagues this quickly."
Maxwell is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League and is hitting .190 (8-for-42) with a home run and three RBIs entering Wednesday's action, but he looked impressive during a short stint with the Nationals last month.
Bench player: Bowden indicated that he wanted Tony Batista back with the Nationals. Batista was outrighted to Columbus, but choose to become a free agent instead.
Batista was a pleasant surprise off the bench, leading the Nationals in pinch hits and RBIs.
"Tony knows we want him back here. He did a great job off the bench. We'll see how it plays out," Bowden said. "He knows this is a good fit for him. He liked playing for Manny Acta. He likes D.C. I hope that he comes back."
Nick Johnson update: Former Clipper Nick Johnson hasn't played a game since Sept. 23, 2006, after breaking his right leg in a collision with right fielder Austin Kearns at Shea Stadium.
After the bone healed, Johnson started taking fielding and hitting practice by June, but his hip would not allow him to move to his left properly on ground balls or hit pitches on the outside part of the plate.
Right after the All-Star break, Johnson had an MRI and bursitis was found inside the hip, and he was given cortisone shot to relieve the pain. But Johnson continued to have problems fielding ground balls and ended up having minor hip surgery last August.
Johnson said his hip is feeling better, but he can't do any hard pounding for another two months. He vows, however, that he will play baseball in 2008. He said he needs Spring Training to get into baseball shape.
"I'm doing therapy. The leg is getting stronger and the hip feels a lot better," Johnson said. "There is still no pounding on it. I have to be patient with that. I have to do what I need to do to get back on the field.
Minor League News 10/28
Midwest League
