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**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:05 PM

United League Baseball

[SIZE="4"Colts Unveil All-Star Logo[/size]

SAN ANGELO, Texas - The Colts have released the logo for the 2008 All-Star game. As previously announced, United League Baseball and the Golden Baseball League have agreed to a partnership, where the two leagues will face off against each other in an All-Star exhibition for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The 2008 All-Star game will take place at Foster Field in San Angelo on Tuesday, July 15th. The teams will consist of 20-man rosters, one from the GBL, with eight teams in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and Western Canada, and the other from the ULB, with six teams in Texas and Louisiana. The Colts are very excited about the event, after coming off an amazing 2007 season, in which the team recorded its highest attendance since 2001.

Tickets for the All-Star game will go on sale at the Colts ticket office April 1st. All-Star game festivities will be announced in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to the Colts website for more information on upcoming events.

The San Angelo Colts are a part of a six-team league that make up United League Baseball. The independent league has teams located in San Angelo, Laredo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Rio Grande Valley, Texas as well as Alexandria, Louisiana, and began play in the 2006 season.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:06 PM

The Schaumburg Flyers will be hosting FlyersFest on Sunday, February 17. This annual event offers a great opportunity to renew summer acquaintances, meet some Flyers and have a little baseball fun. This family friendly event will once again be held at the elegant Eaglewood Resort and Spa, located just minutes from Alexian Field. The 2008 edition of FlyersFest will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and advance tickets cost just $5 and $7 at the door.

Flyers manager Steve Maddock is anxious to start his second season at the helm and will be available for autographs and to discuss the upcoming season. Additionally there will be some Flyers players available for autographs. A Flyers event wouldn't be complete without an appearance by Bearon, who will be on hand to meet and greet all the fans.

The Pepsi Inflatable Bullpen will give you an opportunity to test your fastball and additional kids games will be available. FlyersFest will also feature a silent auction, a goodie bag for all children and entertainment. Food and beverage will be available for sale, as will Flyers merchandise.

To purchase tickets you can stop by the Alexian Field Ticket office or call the Flyers at (847) 891-2255. Tickets will also be available at the door. Eaglewood Resort is located at 1401 Nordic Road, Itasca 60143.

Tickets are also available for the 2008 season. The Flyers open the season at Alexian Field with a 6:20 p.m. game on May 15 vs. the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:07 PM

Flyers Sign Three For 2008

The Schaumburg Flyers announced the signing of former big league outfielder Jermaine Allensworth. Allensworth, a former Purdue University standout, was a first round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1993. He joined the big league club in 1996, also playing for the Bucs in 1997 and the start of the 1998 season before being traded to the Kansas City Royals. He ended his 4-year stint in the big leagues with the Mets in 1999. 2008 will be his 14th season in professional baseball and his fifth season in the Northern League. Allensworth played for Joliet in '04 and '05 and for Gary in '06 and '07, earning a championship ring with the RailCats last season.

Patrick "Peanut" Williams was also signed to a 2008 contract by the Flyers after spending 2007 playing for Orange County (Golden) where he hit .344 (4th) with 15 doubles and 13 HR. The 30 year old is entering his 13th season of professional baseball, originally signed by the Mariners in the sixth round of the 1996 draft.

Jim Popp rejoins the Flyers in 2008 after spending the entire 2007 on injured reserved. Jim, a powerful right handed pitcher should be a fantastic addition after dominating the Frontier League for the Washington Wild Things from 2004-2006. As the Wild Things closer during this time Popp contributed with 38 saves and 161 strikeouts.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:08 PM

Outlaws announce new hitting coach

CHICO, CA - With the Chico Outlaws player roster already featuring several new names, the team's field staff also added a newcomer Wednesday with the announcement that Chris Corso has been hired as hitting coach for the upcoming 2008 season.

Manager Jon Macalutas, who served as the Outlaws hitting coach during the team's first three seasons, adds Corso to a staff that includes newly-named pitching coach Reece Borges and Indrick Wilson, the lone holdover from Mark Parent's 2007 coaching staff.

Corso has had a unique baseball career, with stints as a player, coach and bat manufacturer. A Bay Area native who now resides in Chico, Chris was a two-time all-conference catcher at Cal State Hayward before signing with the Florida Marlins in 1994. Corso played one season with the single-A Kane County Cougars before injuries forced hit to miss the entire '95 season. Chris served as catching coach for Cal State Hayward prior to joining the independent Western Baseball League's Salinas Peppers in 1996, but was hurt again and saw limited action. Corso finished his career in 1998 with the WBL's Western Warriors (managed by former Chico Heat skipper Charley Kerfeld), then founded Sandlot Stiks, a wood bat manufacturing company supplying many minor league players. Over the past several years Chris has continued to produce bats as well as develop a variety of coatings and stains for wood decks and counters.

The Outlaws begin defense of its Golden Baseball League crown May 22 in Yuma, Arizona, with the home opener at Nettleton Stadium slated for May 30 against last year's championship series opponent, the Long Beach Armada.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:09 PM

Bolts Hitting Coach Joins Baltimore Orioles Staff

Crestwood, IL - The 2007 Frontier League Champion Windy City ThunderBolts professional baseball team has announced the resignation of their hitting coach, Ronnie Deck. Deck is leaving the ThunderBolts to accept a position as the bullpen catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. A former catcher for the Richmond Roosters, he will be one of three former Frontier League players serving as Major League bullpen coaches in 2008, joining the Detroit Tigers' Scott Pickens (Chillicothe Paints and Florence Freedom) and the San Diego Padres' Ben Risinger (Springfield Capitals).

Under Deck's guidance, the ThunderBolts set team records for team batting average (.279), runs scored (566), and stolen bases (160) while finishing with the franchise's first winning record in their nine seasons of existence. Deck help guide Windy City to the Central Division title and Frontier League championship. Four of Deck's hitters, shortstop Wes Long, first baseman Philip Hawke, outfielder Michael Coles, and third baseman Josh Horn were voted to the Frontier League All-Star Game this season.

Deck made his professional coaching debut with the ThunderBolts this season following a seven-season playing career, including two seasons in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. He advanced as high as the double-A level with the Devil Rays. A graduate of Oklahoma Christian University, Deck was named a GTE Academic All-American as a catcher.

Deck also served as Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for Oglethorpe University in 2006 and Assistant Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, in 2007.

"It is a tremendous opportunity for Ronnie Deck. He has paid his dues in the game at just about every level, and is now going to see the rewards of his hard work," commented former ThunderBolts field manager Andy Haines. "Being able to get in the big leagues in any capacity is a rare opportunity. As much as I know he is going to enjoy being in big league stadiums every night, I know how much he'll miss the one and only Standard Bank Stadium. He loved being a Thunderbolt and was an asset for our players and myself"

"My time with the Windy City was one of the highlights of my career, and I'll be a ThunderBolts fan for life because of my experience there," said Deck. "The relationships I built in the summer of 2007 were instrumental in my landing the job with Baltimore."

The Windy City ThunderBolts are entering their tenth season as members of the Frontier League. The ThunderBolts play at Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood and will look to defend their Frontier League Championship starting next May. For more information, please contact the ThunderBolts at 708.489.2255 or visit Windy City Thunderbolts.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:10 PM

Beach Bums Receive Two Pitchers From Amarillo

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums have announced a trade with the Amarillo Dillas of the United League that will send pitchers Josh Myers and Matt Lawrence to Traverse City for a player to be named.

Myers is a 6'3" 185-pound right-hander who pitched collegiately at the University of Virginia before being signed by Amarillo at the end of last season. In Amarillo, Myers pitched a complete game shutout in his first professional start and followed it up by pitching 8 innings of 3-run baseball in his next start. His final stat line was 1-0, with a 1.56 ERA in 17.1 innings, with 6 walks, 12 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .215 average.

Myers was equally as effective out of the University of Virginia bullpen during his college career where he compiled a 5-1 record and 1.43 ERA in 50.1 innings, with 19 walks, 44 strikeouts, while only giving up 38 hits. Myers' college career was highlighted by a 0.00 ERA in 16.2 innings his senior year. University of Virginia pitching coach Karl Kuhn described Myers as a "talented pitcher with a great arm, good slider, and a really, really, really deceptive motion."

Lawrence is a 6'0" 200-pound right hander out of Woldorf, Maryland, who was the closer for Bellhaven College. After finishing his career at Bellhaven in 2007, Lawrence signed with the Shreveport Sports of the American Association. In Shreveport, Lawrence had a 1.80 ERA in 5 innings, with 5 walks and 6 strikeouts before being traded to Amarillo. After arriving in Amarillo, Lawrence saw action in 4 games for a total of 7 innings with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .286 average.

"These two pitchers are a great pick-up for our club," said Jason Wuerfel, the Beach Bums' Director of Baseball Operations. "Myers combines a good arm with a quirky motion that keeps hitters off balance, and I expect him to compete for a spot in our starting rotation. Lawrence was the anchor of his pitching staff in college and he has an above average breaking ball; he should help provide depth to our bullpen."

For more insider information on this trade and other Beach Bums' player moves, check out the Official Beach Bums Blog at Traverse City Beach Bums.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:10 PM

Arnett, Mcmurran Join Miners

MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have signed third baseman/outfielder Brad Arnett and right handed pitcher Jake McMurran for the 2008 season.

Both Arnett and McMurran played their college ball at Missouri Baptist University and spent the summer of 2007 playing for the NBC World Series Champion Havasu Heat. Two of their teammates on the Heat were current Miners Drew Moffit and Nick Starnes.

Arnett hit .520 with an .840 slugging percentage to win MVP honors in the NBC World Series. With the Heat in 2007, Arnett hit .432 overall with 15 doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 10 stolen bases. He was an all-American at MBU where he hit .373 with five home runs his senior season.

"Everyone I have spoken to has told me that Brad can just flat swing the bat," Miners Manger Mike Pinto said. "He has hit successfully everywhere he has played, and we are glad to add him to the Miners this season."

McMurran went 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA with his submarine delivery with the Heat. He struck out 41 batters while walking only nine and holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

As a closer at MBU he went 4-2 with four saves in 13 games in 2007. While in college he earned all-America and all-conference honors in the American Midwest Conference.

"The scouting report on Jake is he is a hard thrower from down under," Pinto said. "He lives on the inner half of the plate and is a flat out competitor. We will most likely use him in the latter part of the ballgame to compliment Travis (Hope)."

The Miners have now announced the signing of four players this month including pitchers Jon Bjelland and Nick Starnes last week.

"Mike has done a great job putting together the roster over the last two years," Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said, "and I'm excited to see the results on the field this summer."

The Miners home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 24 at 7:05 p.m. For the latest Miners news and updates, visit Southern Illinois Miners.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:12 PM

Paints' Mason excited about solid nucleus returning in 2008

While many folks are shoveling snow, stocking firewood and watching basketball games, Chillicothe Paints' manager and director of baseball operations, Mark Mason, is busy heating up the telephone lines in preparation for the upcoming 2008 Frontier League season.

"I'm very excited about starting my second year in Chillicothe," commented Mason. "I'm more comfortable already than I was last year, and I think that our returning players will feel more comfortable with me."

The Paints will welcome no less than 18 returnees to spring training on May 6th, including the team's three top sluggers, shortstop, Travis Garcia (.307, 19 HR, 70 RBI); third baseman, Adrian Cantu (.303, 13 HR, 61 RBI); and catcher, Dan Cummins (.289, 8 HR, 42 RBI). Two-year vet, Paul Rutgers(.254, 5 Hr, 41 RBI), along with outfielders, Travis Storrer (.262, 5 HR, 46 RBI)and Gavin Ng, (.265, 19 SB), plus designated hitter, J. T. Thomas (.265, 4 HR, 43 RBI) will also return.

"Garcia's accomplishments and awards speak for themselves," said Mason. "Cantu was a warrior last year, playing at a high level despite battling a variety of injuries, and Cummins is arguably the best catcher in our league. I think that Rutgers can return to his hitting form of 2006, and I really like the way Thomas approaches the game of baseball."

In addition, FL All-Star pitcher, Ryan Flanigan (9-2. 1.28 ERA), Brian McCullough (4-2, 2.01 ERA), and Daryl Arreola (3-4, 3.19 ERA) head up a list of nine seasoned pitchers that will return. Flanigan pitched this winter in the Columbia League as a starter and was named to the league's All-Star Team.

On the down side, pitchers' Perry Cunningham, Brian Marshall and Eric Teall, plus infielder, Evan Sobel have all decided to retire.

Cunningham and his wife, Pam, have relocated to Pennsylvania where Perry has accepted full time employment. Teall was recently married and is beginning a new career in law enforcement.

"Perry, after a rough start, really gutted it out and performed well the second half of last season. He will be missed. And, Teall leaves very big shoes to attempt to fill," noted Mason.

Nagging injuries led to Marshall's and Sobel's decision to hang up the cleats, according to Mason.

"We definitely are scouting to find quality starting pitching and a closer, but overall, I feel very good about the nucleus that we have returning on the pitching staff, and some of the new candidates that will be coming into spring training."

"We were quality hitters last year when leading off an inning, but we were terrible with runners on base," he explained. "The more runners that were on base, the lower our averages dipped. That has to change."

Other returnees from the '07 Paints' that finished second in the FL East Division race include; first baseman, Jon Poterson; outfielder, Josh Miller; catcher, Kevin Butler; pitchers, Bryan Johnson; Justin Drabek; Aaron Gamboa, Jason Quarles, Bill Schmeider and Landon Sinclair.

Mason noted that he is pleased that long time bench coach, Marty Dunn will return for his 16th season with the Paints and he stressed the team will employ a hitting coach as well this coming season.

"We have to have more offensive punch this year. We have to get better and I have always said that if you are not trying to get better, you'll surely get worse."

Mason said he has invited some highly touted prospects to spring training this year, including former Kent State University First Team All-American second baseman, Drew Saylor and All Conference-USA first baseman, Brendan Murphy from Marshall University.

"We will start spring training with an open mind. I am very pleased that we have so many returnees, but there are no guarantees. We'll continue to look at possible future trades, and acquisitions, and do whatever it takes to put a winning team on the field for the southern Ohio fans."

The Paints open the 2008 season at home on Wednesday, May 21st against the Washington Wild Things. Season tickets, U-Pick-'Em Mini-Ticket Plans, and Group Outings can be reserved and purchased at the Paints' Gift Shop, located at 59 N. Paints St. in Chillicothe, or by calling (740) 773-TEAM (8326).

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:13 PM

Beach Bums Tognetti Retires

TRAVERSE CITY, MI - The Traverse City Beach Bums have announced the retirement of pitcher Phil Tognetti.

Tognetti was a key member of the Beach Bums' bullpen in the first half of 2007 and was eventually put in the starting rotation due to several injuries in the pitching staff. In 11 relief appearances, Tognetti had a 1-0 record with a 1.33 ERA in 27 innings, walking 7 and striking out 20 while holding opponents to a .204 average. Tognetti also made 10 starts for the Beach Bums last summer, and finished his rookie campaign with a 2-3 record, 4.16 ERA, 71.1 innings, and 48 strikeouts.

"Our organization was sad to learn that Phil will not be returning in 2007," said Beach Bums Director of Baseball Operations Jason Wuerfel. "Phil is a competitor, and when injuries plagued our pitching staff last year, he stepped up and helped fill the void in the starting rotation even though he is better suited as a reliever. The grit and determination he showed on the mound shows that he will have just as much success in whatever career path he chooses."

Tognetti played collegiately for the University of Michigan from 2002-2005 before joining the Beach Bums in 2007. At Michigan, Tognetti compiled a 13-10 record in 69 games, 18 of which were starts, going 173 total innings with a 4.68 ERA, walking 67 and striking out 91.

Tognetti plans to start his own personal training business this off-season.

**truebluefan** · 01-17-2008, 08:14 PM

Pride Reorganizes Front Office

Nashua Pride Officials today announced that Courtney Hollis has been named Assistant General Manager, Beverly Taylor the Director of Baseball Administration and Nick Travalini the Manager of Media and Community Relations. The Pride also announce the hiring of Sales Director Cliff Jacques and Group Sales Manager Shaela Walsh.

Courtney Hollis, a Boston College alum, started off as an intern with the Pride during the 2006 season focusing on day to day business operations. Hollis then joined the Pride full-time just prior to the 2007 season as the Pride's accountant handling the Pride's finances and overseeing game day operations. Hollis will now be managing the business operations of the Pride, alongside Pride General Manager Chris Hall.

Bev Taylor is the longest tenured employee of the Nashua Pride. Bev was hired for Ticket Operations by the Pride during the teams inaugural 1998 season. Bev has since worn many hats for the Pride, and will transition into Director of Baseball Administration, where she will be in charge of most baseball operations.

Cliff Jacques comes to the Pride with 16 years of experience as the Marketing Director at the New England Dragway. As Marketing Director, Jacques was responsible for all sponsorship sales and marketing as well as organizing and booking shows at the dragway. As the Pride's Sales Director, Jacques will be in charge of all facets of sales and sponsorships.

Shaela Walsh, a Western New England College Alum, joins the Pride after spending the past 4 years with the Lowell AHL franchise, first with the Lock Monsters and then the Devils. Walsh interned for the Lock Monsters in 2004 and 2005 and was hired by the Devils in 2006. Walsh worked as a Sales Assistant and as the Street Team Coordinator. As the Pride's Group Sales Manager, Walsh will be spearheading the team's group sales campaign.

Nick Travalini, a University of New Hampshire Alum, started off as a Pride intern in the summer of 2006. Travalini was hired fulltime just prior to the 2007 season as the Media Relations Manager. Travalini, now the Media and Community Relations Manager, will be responsible for expanding the Pride's role in the Greater Nashua Community as well as taking on an expanded role in the teams marketing and handling media relations.

The Nashua Pride Professional Baseball Club, entering its eleventh season, provides a fun, affordable, community-based and fan-friendly source of sports entertainment. The 2007 Can-Am League Champions will be participating in its third year of play in the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball.

For more information call 603-883-BALL (2255), or visit Welcome to NashuaPride.com.

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