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**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:52 PM

Benny Castillo Named Canaries Hitting Coach

SIOUX FALLS, SD (November 12, 2007) - The Sioux Falls Canaries have hired Benny Castillo to be the team's hitting coach for the 2008 American Association baseball season.

"Benny is a great addition to our coaching staff," said Canaries Manager Steve Shirley. "He brings great experience to the table and will be a valuable asset to us this season."

Castillo began his managerial career in with the Duluth-Superior Dukes in the Northern League. In his first year as manager, Castillo led the Dukes to the Northern League Central Championship, and was named the Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America. Since then, Castillo has spent time as a manager for the Sioux City Explorers (2001-02), the Florida Marlins short-season Jamestown Jammers (2003-04), the independent Golden Baseball League's Yuma Scorpions (2005-06), and the Detroit Tigers' rookie team in the Gulf Coast League (2007). In his time as a manager with both the Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers, Castillo also served as their Extended Spring Training Coordinator.

Prior to beginning his coaching career, Castillo spent 11 years playing in the minor leagues, including spending parts of four seasons as an outfielder for the Sioux Falls Canaries. Originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1986, Castillo opted to play one season at Oklahoma State University before turning pro in 1987. During his 11 year career, Benny played for four different major league organizations, reaching as high as Double-A.

The professional move to Sioux Falls is a homecoming for Castillo who has lived in the city with his wife, Julie, and his daughter, Bailey, since 1996. While living in Sioux Falls, Castillo has received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Augustana College in 2000, and in one month he will receive a Masters in Teaching from the University of Sioux Falls.

"After talking with Steve Shirley and Canaries General Manager Matt Hansen, I knew that this was the right job for me," said Castillo. "Not only will I get to work with a great organization, but this job will also allow me to spend more time at home with my family."

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:53 PM

Pelicans Soaring with Off-Season Pickup

The Pensacola Pelicans announced today the acquisition of infielder Will Lewis from the Coastal Bend Aviators.

Lewis began his professional career in 2003 with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, having made stops with the Helena Brewers (Rookie), Beloit Snappers (A), and West Virginia Power (A).

"Will is a solid defensive player who knows how to handle the bat," said Pelicans Manager Mac Seibert. "He will add some depth to our already good infield next season."

With the Aviators in 2007, Lewis was a mainstay at the second base position. In 73 games, he batted .273 with 16 doubles, 5 home runs, and 32 RBI. The former Texas Christian standout finished the season with 21 multiple-hit games.

The Pels are happy to have Lewis in their home dugout for the upcoming season. In 2007, the second baseman posted some of his finest numbers against Pelican pitching. In 18 games, Lewis hit .353 with 11 runs scored, 2 home runs, and 15 RBI.

Lewis will help bolster a strong Pelicans infield, including returning starters Ricardo Cordova, Bo Williams, American Association All-Star Trino Aguilar, and American Association Rookie of the Year Cesar Aranguren.

Pels Notes: 2008 season tickets are on sale by calling 850-934-8444.

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:54 PM

Sports Announce 2008 Schedule

The Shreveport Sports will open the 96 game baseball season on May 8th at El Paso as the 2008 schedule was announced today. The Sports will open their sixth home season at Fair Grounds Field on Tuesday, May 13th against Grand Prairie, one of the two new teams in the American Association.

The 48-game home schedule will include eight Thursday games and seven home games on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesdays. The Sports will play 11 games at home in May, June and August with 15 home games at Fair Grounds Field in July. Six of the other nine teams in the league will play the Sports at Fair Grounds Field with Pensacola appearing 13 times, El Paso and Fort Worth nine times, St. Paul seven, Grand Prairie six games and Lincoln four.

The American Association has added two teams this season in Grand Prairie, Texas and Wichita, Kansas. However, the league will remain a ten-team two division league. Along with the Shreveport Sports, Pensacola, Fort Worth, El Paso and Grand Prairie will make up the Southern Division. The Northern Division will consist of Wichita, Lincoln, Sioux City, Sioux Falls and St. Paul.

The Sports will close out the home season on August 19th with the final regular season game at Sioux Falls on August 23rd. The playoffs are set to begin on August 25th.

-pick up home schedule-

May 13-15 Grand Prairie

May 16-18 El Paso

May 23-25 Grand Prairie

May 30-June 1 St. Paul

June 10-12 Pensacola

June 16-18 Fort Worth

June 26-29 Pensacola

July 1-3 Fort Worth

July 7-10 St. Paul

July 11-13 El Paso

July 23-26 Lincoln

July 31-Aug 2 Pensacola

Aug 3-5 Fort Worth

Aug 14-16 Pensacola

Aug 17-19 El Paso

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:55 PM

Explorers Unveil 2008 Schedule

SIOUX CITY, IA - The Sioux City Explorers begin their 16th season on Wednesday, May 7th with a three-game road trip to the expansion Wichita Wingnuts. The X's open up Lewis & Clark Park for the 2008 season just three days later when the Wingnuts come to town on Saturday, May 10th. The Explorers first home stand includes two games with Wichita, three with St. Paul, and three with Fort Worth.

The Sioux City Explorers 2008 season will feature a 96 game season format with 48 of those games being played right here at Lewis & Clark Park with an equal number of games to be played on the road. The schedule is made up of 77 games with division opponents and 19 games for the X's out of division. From the South Division, Sioux City will travel to Grand Prairie and Pensacola while El Paso, Shreveport, and the 2-Time American Association Champion Fort Worth Cats will all visit Lewis & Clark Park in 2008. The 2007 American Association All-Star game is set for July 22nd at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, MN and will feature the American Association North Division All-Stars against the South Division All-Stars.

A minimum of Four Post Game Fireworks displays have already been planned after the home games on July 3rd and 4th with the Lincoln Saltdogs being in town on the 3rd and the Sioux Falls Canaries taking on the X's on the 4th. Traditionally the 3rd and 4th of July have been great nights for baseball in Sioux City with one of the best fireworks shows in the region put on by Lantis Fireworks. In addition to the 3rd and 4th, Fireworks have been scheduled for Opening Night (May 10th) and Fan Appreciation Night (August 23rd).

The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball is a 10-team league with five teams in the North Division and five in the South Division. Lincoln, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, St. Paul, and Wichita make up the North while El Paso, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Pensacola and Shreveport cover the South Division.

KEY 2008 DATES FOR THE SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS

Saturday, April 26 American Association spring training camp opens

Wednesday, May 7 Explorers open 2008 season in Wichita, KS

Saturday, May 10 Explorers Home Opener vs. Wichita (Post Game Fireworks Extravaganza)

Saturday, June 28 End of the first half

Friday, July 3 Fireworks Extravaganza

Saturday, July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza

Tuesday, July 22 American Association All-Star game in St. Paul, MN

Saturday, August 23 End of regular season (Fan Appreciation Night - Post Game Fireworks Display)

August 25-30 Divisional Playoff Series - first half champion vs. second half champion

September 2-7 American Association Championship Series

Your hometown Sioux City Explorers will kick off the 2008 season on May 7th in Wichita, KS against the Wichita Wingnuts. Following three games with the "Wingnuts", the Explorers will travel home to open Lewis & Clark Park for the 2008 season on May 10th with a two game set against the Wingnuts, with the first pitch set for 7:05 PM.

--- GREAT 2008 SEASON TICKET & MINI PLAN PACKAGES ON SALE NOW BY CALLING (712) 277-WINS (9467) ---

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:56 PM

Cats release 2008 schedule

The Fort Worth Cats announced today its schedule for the 2008 season. An Independence Day game at LaGrave Field highlights the Cats' 96-game schedule. The Cats open the season at home May 8 against the Sioux Falls Canaries.

The American Association will consist of 10 teams this season. The Cats will play in the South Division with El Paso, Grand Prairie, Pensacola and Shreveport. The North Division will be made up of Lincoln, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, St. Paul and Wichita.

In September, the Cats became the first team in modern independent baseball history to win three consecutive titles, capturing the Central League title in 2005, followed by back-to-back championship trophies in the American Association, one of the premier minor leagues in all of baseball.

Fort Worth Cats 2008 schedule

Date Opponent

May 8 vs. Sioux Falls

May 9 vs. Sioux Falls

May 10 vs. Sioux Falls

May 11 vs. Sioux Falls

May 12 vs. Lincoln

May 13 vs. Lincoln

May 14 vs. Lincoln

May 16 @ Sioux City

May 17 @ Sioux City

May 18 @ Sioux City

May 19 @ Wichita

May 20 @ Wichita

May 21 @ Wichita

May 22 @ Wichita

May 23 @ St. Paul

May 24 @ St. Paul

May 25 @ St. Paul

May 26 vs. Shreveport

May 27 vs. Shreveport

May 28 vs. Shreveport

May 30 vs. Grand Prairie

May 31 vs. Grand Prairie

June 1 vs. Grand Prairie

June 3 @ Pensacola

June 4 @ Pensacola

June 5 @ Pensacola

June 6 vs. El Paso

June 7 vs. El Paso

June 8 vs. El Paso

June 9 vs. El Paso

June 10 @ Grand Prairie

June 11 @ Grand Prairie

June 12 @ Grand Prairie

June 13 vs. Pensacola

June 14 vs. Pensacola

June 15 vs. Pensacola

June 16 @ Shreveport

June 17 @ Shreveport

June 18 @ Shreveport

June 19 @ Pensacola

June 20 @ Pensacola

June 21 @ Pensacola

June 23 vs. Grand Prairie

June 24 vs. Grand Prairie

June 25 vs. Grand Prairie

June 26 @ El Paso

June 27 @ El Paso

June 28 @ El Paso

July 1 @ Shreveport

July 2 @ Shreveport

July 3 @ Shreveport

July 4 vs. Wichita

July 5 vs. Wichita

July 6 vs. Wichita

July 7 vs. Pensacola

July 8 vs. Pensacola

July 9 vs. Pensacola

July 10 vs. Pensacola

July 11 @ Grand Prairie

July 12 @ Grand Prairie

July 13 @ Grand Prairie

July 15 vs. Wichita

July 16 vs. Wichita

July 17 vs. Wichita

July 18 vs. Pensacola

July 19 vs. Pensacola

July 20 vs. Pensacola

July 22 All-Star Game @ St. Paul

July 24 @ Pensacola

July 25 @ Pensacola

July 26 @ Pensacola

July 27 @ Pensacola

July 28 vs. Shreveport

July 29 vs. Shreveport

July 30 vs. Shreveport

July 31 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 1 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 2 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 3 @ Shreveport

Aug. 4 @ Shreveport

Aug. 5 @ Shreveport

Aug. 7 @ St. Paul

Aug. 8 @ St. Paul

Aug. 9 @ St. Paul

Aug. 10 @ Sioux City

Aug. 11 @ Sioux City

Aug. 12 @ Sioux City

Aug. 13 @ Sioux City

Aug. 14 vs. El Paso

Aug. 15 vs. El Paso

Aug. 16 vs. El Paso

Aug. 17 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 18 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 19 vs. Grand Prairie

Aug. 21 @ El Paso

Aug. 22 @ El Paso

Aug. 23 @ El Paso

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:57 PM

AirHogs Release 2008 Inaugural Season Schedule

GRAND PRAIRIE-The Grand Prairie AirHogs of the American Association released the schedule for their 2008 inaugural season on Wednesday. The team will play a 96-game season, with the first game at St. Paul on Thursday, May 8. The AirHogs' home opener will take place on Friday, May 16 against the Wichita Wingnuts. The schedule also features an Independence Day home game against the Pensacola Pelicans.

Grand Prairie will be a member of the Southern Division, along with the El Paso Diablos, Fort Worth Cats, Pensacola Pelicans and Shreveport Sports. The Lincoln Saltdogs, St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers, Sioux Falls Canaries and Wichita Wingnuts make up the Northern Division.

The schedule will be split into two halves, with the second half starting on July 1. There will be two best-of-five playoff series starting August 25, with the winners of each half facing off. The league's All-Star Game will take place on July 22 at St. Paul.

"With the schedule in place, our inaugural season is coming closer into view," AirHogs Vice President/General Manager David Burke said. "The 2008 season should be an exciting one, and we're looking forward to all 48 home games."

For more information on season tickets, please contact the AirHogs front office at 972-504-9383 or visit Airhogs Baseball :: Grand Prairie, TX - Home.

GRAND PRAIRIE AIRHOGS 2008 SCHEDULE

May: 8-11 at St. Paul; 13-15 at Shreveport; 16-18 vs. Wichita; 19-22 vs. El Paso; 23-25 at Shreveport; 27-29 vs. Pensacola; 30-31 at Fort Worth.

June: 1 at Fort Worth; 3-5 vs. El Paso; 6-8 at Pensacola; 10-12 vs. Fort Worth; 13-15 vs. Sioux Falls; 16-18 at Pensacola; 20-22 vs. Shreveport; 23-25 at Fort Worth; 26-29 at Lincoln.

July: 1-3 vs. El Paso; 4-6 vs. Pensacola; 7-10 at El Paso; 11-13 vs. Fort Worth; 14-16 vs. Shreveport; 18-20 at Sioux Falls; 22 All Star Game at St. Paul; 23-26 vs. El Paso; 28-30 at Pensacola; 31 at Fort Worth.

August: 1-2 at Fort Worth; 3-5 vs. Pensacola; 7-9 at El Paso; 10-13 vs. Shreveport; 14-16 vs. Sioux City; 17-19 at Fort Worth; 21-23 at Pensacola.

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 09:58 PM

2008 Lincoln Saltdogs Schedule Announced

LINCOLN, NEB. - The Lincoln Saltdogs can officially turn their attention to their eighth season now that the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball has released its 2008 schedule. As it moves into its third year, the American Association will once again be comprised of 10 teams but with two new franchises as the Wichita (Kan.) Wingnuts and the Grand Prairie (Texas) Airhogs join the ranks of one of the nation's premier Independent baseball league. The new season will begin Wednesday, May 7 and will run through Saturday, August 23. The playoffs will begin on August 25.

For the third-consecutive year, Lincoln will kickoff its 96-game slate down south in a familiar setting. Once again, the Saltdogs will start at Pensacola with a four-game series that opens on Thursday, May 8. The Florida panhandle has been good to the Dogs, who are 7-1 all-time against the Pelicans in their two previous season-opening series. Unlike the past two years in which Lincoln has made three stops before returning home, they will make just two with a series at Fort Worth wrapping up the trip.

The 2008 home opener at Haymarket Park is set for Friday, May 16 against Pensacola, who will be making its first-ever trip to Lincoln. The series with the Pelicans is a part of a nine-game homestand for the Saltdogs, who will also host Sioux Falls and Wichita during the stay. In addition to tradition rivals such as St. Paul, Sioux City and Sioux Falls, other teams slated to make stops in the Capital City during the first half are Shreveport, El Paso and Grand Prairie.

In July, the Saltdogs will host their annual Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular but it won't be the only time fireworks are featured at Haymarket Park. The popular Pepsi Fireworks Fridays will continue during each homestand. Also in July, the American Association All-Star Game will be held July 22 at Midway Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. The Saltdogs will resume play the day after the all-star game with their longest road trip of the season, which will take them to Shreveport and El Paso. After that swing through the south, Lincoln will play 13 of their next 16 games at home. The Dogs conclude the season on the road at St. Paul and at Wichita.

Information on Season and Group ticket packages is available now by calling 402-474-BALL (2255) or by visiting online at saltdogs.com: Home. Once again, the Saltdogs are offering the Flex-Pack ticket package that allows fans to purchase a minimum of six tickets to use whenever they wish based on availability. Start times for home games Monday through Saturday will remain at 7:05 p.m., while Sunday start times will be announced at a later date.

The American Association consists of North Division teams Lincoln, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, St. Paul and Wichita. The South Division is made up of Fort Worth, Pensacola, El Paso, Grand Prairie and Shreveport.

2008 LINCOLN SALTDOGS SCHEDULE

FIRST HALF

5/8 Thu. at Pensacola

5/9 Fri. at Pensacola

5/10 Sat. at Pensacola

5/11 Sun. at Pensacola

5/12 Mon. at Fort Worth

5/13 Tue. at Fort Worth

5/14 Wed. at Fort Worth

5/15 Thu. OFF DAY

5/16 Fri. Pensacola

5/17 Sat. Pensacola

5/18 Sun. Pensacola

5/19 Mon. OFF DAY

5/20 Tue. Sioux Falls

5/21 Wed. Sioux Falls

5/22 Thu. Sioux Falls

5/23 Fri. Wichita

5/24 Sat. Wichita

5/25 Sun. Wichita

5/26 Mon. OFF DAY

5/27 Tue. at Sioux City

5/28 Wed. at Sioux City

5/29 Thu. at Sioux City

5/30 Fri. at Sioux Falls

5/31 Sat. at Sioux Falls

6/1 Sun. at Sioux Falls

6/2 Mon. at Sioux Falls

6/3 Tue. St. Paul

6/4 Wed. St. Paul

6/5 Thu. St. Paul

6/6 Fri. Shreveport

6/7 Sat. Shreveport

6/8 Sun. Shreveport

6/9 Mon. OFF DAY

6/10 Tue. at Wichita

6/11 Wed. at Wichita

6/12 Thu. at Wichita

6/13 Fri. at Sioux City

6/14 Sat. at Sioux City

6/15 Sun. at Sioux City

6/16 Mon. OFF DAY

6/17 Tue. El Paso

6/18 Wed. El Paso

6/19 Thu. El Paso

6/20 Fri. Sioux City

6/21 Sat. Sioux City

6/22 Sun. Sioux City

6/23 Mon. at St. Paul

6/24 Tue. at St. Paul

6/25 Wed. at St. Paul

6/26 Thu. Grand Prairie

6/27 Fri. Grand Prairie

6/28 Sat. Grand Prairie

6/29 Sun. Grand Prairie

6/30 Mon. OFF DAY

END 1ST HALF

SECOND HALF

7/1 Tue. at Sioux City

7/2 Wed. at Sioux City

7/3 Thu. at Sioux City

7/4 Fri. at St. Paul

7/5 Sat. at St. Paul

7/6 Sun. at St. Paul

7/7 Mon. Sioux City

7/8 Tue. Sioux City

7/9 Wed. Sioux City

7/10 Thu. Sioux City

7/11 Fri. at Wichita

7/12 Sat. at Wichita

7/13 Sun. at Wichita

7/14 Mon. OFF DAY

7/15 Tue. Sioux Falls

7/16 Wed. Sioux Falls

7/17 Thu. Sioux Falls

7/18 Fri. St. Paul

7/19 Sat. St. Paul

7/20 Sun. St. Paul

7/21 Mon. OFF DAY

7/22 Tue., All-Star Game @ St. Paul

7/23 Wed. at Shreveport

7/24 Thu. at Shreveport

7/25 Fri. at Shreveport

7/26 Sat. at Shreveport

7/27 Sun. at El Paso

7/28 Mon. at El Paso

7/29 Tue. at El Paso

7/30 Wed. OFF DAY

7/31 Thu. Sioux City

8/1 Fri. Sioux City

8/2 Sat. Sioux City

8/3 Sun. OFF DAY

8/4 Mon. Wichita

8/5 Tue. Wichita

8/6 Wed. Wichita

8/7 Thu. at Sioux Falls

8/8 Fri. at Sioux Falls

8/9 Sat. at Sioux Falls

8/10 Sun. St. Paul

8/11 Mon. St. Paul

8/12 Tue. St. Paul

8/13 Wed. St. Paul

8/14 Thu. Sioux Falls

8/15 Fri. Sioux Falls

8/16 Sat. Sioux Falls

8/17 Sun. OFF DAY

8/18 Mon. at St. Paul

8/19 Tue. at St. Paul

8/20 Wed. at St. Paul

8/21 Thu. at Wichita

8/22 Fri. at Wichita

8/23 Sat. at Wichita

END 2ND HALF

**truebluefan** · 11-14-2007, 10:00 PM

The North Shore Honu held on for the 7-5 victory over the Waikiki BeachBoys in a seven-inning contest this afternoon at Waipahu's Hans L'Orange Park.

Mat Gamel buoyed North Shore (22-10-1) at the plate, going 3-4 with a double and 2 RBIs and a run scored.

Fellow Honu hitter Brad Corley chipped in two hits, including a solo home run in the fifth inning, and drove in two runs on the afternoon. North Shore scored runs in four of the six innings in which it batted, and a four-run outburst in the third frame provided enough of a cushion for the HWB West Division champions.

The BeachBoys (15-16-1) brought home four runs in the sixth inning to make things interesting, as Jermaine Mitchell singled in a run, and Justin Sellers followed with a two-run single. Josh Womack came home on a wild pitch, and pulled Waikiki to within 6-4.

Trailing 7-4 in the top of the seventh frame, the BeachBoys did their best to rally, as Jeff Kindel drove in Dan Murphy with a two-out double to deep right-center field. But with runners on first and third, Honu reliever Takashi Kamoshida (1.09 ERA, 4 saves) got Michael Wilson to strike out on a high fastball to end the game. Sean Walker (1-0, 3.52 ERA) picked up the victory after tossing three innings of scoreless relief through which he surrendered two hits.

BeachBoys starter Josh Sullivan (1-4, 6.33 ERA) took the loss after surrendering five runs on six hits through 2 1/3 innings.

Both squads have tomorrow off, and then play six straight games (Tues. through Sun.) leading up to the Nov. 19 league championship game between the North Shore Honu and either the Waikiki BeachBoys or Honolulu Sharks.

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