Hardy Named Royals Minor League Pitcher Of The Year
Wilmington, DE - The ace of the 2007 Wilmington Blue Rocks pitching staff earned another stripe on Tuesday, as left-hander Rowdy Hardy was selected by the Kansas City organization as the Alex George Royals Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Along with Hardy, former Wilmington shortstop Mike Aviles was chosen by the Royals front office as the system-wide Player of the Year, his second such honor.
Hardy dominated the Advanced Class A Carolina League with a 15-5 mark and a stingy 2.48 ERA in 26 appearances for the Rocks. The 25-year-old Dallas, TX native led the circuit in victories, complete games (three) and innings pitched (167.0) en route to being tabbed as the Carolina League's Pitcher of the Year at season's end. Additionally, the Royals organization named the Austin Peay State University product the Blue Rocks Pitcher of the Year last August.
Meanwhile, Aviles had a fine season at Triple-A Omaha, hitting .296 with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs in 133 games for the O-Royals. The 26-year-old infielder also won Kansas City's Minor League Player of the Year award in 2003 while playing rookie ball for the Arizona Royals. A Blue Rock for one season, Aviles spent 2004 on the Riverfront, posting an impressive .300 batting average to go along with six home runs and 69 RBIs in 126 games.
Dunedin, FL - The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the Dunedin coaching staff for the 2008 season. Omar Malave will return as Manager of the Dunedin Blue Jays, along with Darold Knowles (Pitching Coach), Paul Elliott (Hitting Coach), and Andrew Muccino (Trainer).
OMAR MALAVE enters his 5th consecutive season as Manager of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Malave began his coaching career at Medicine Hat in 1990. From 1991 - 1995, he had stints managing in the Gulf Coast, Pioneer, and South Atlantic Leagues. While managing in Knoxville of the Southern League in 1997, Malave was awarded the Bobby Mattick Award of Excellence in Player Development. He went on to coach and later manage in Syracuse over the next two years. In 2004, he was appointed to Manager of the Dunedin Blue Jays. In his 18th year coaching within the organization, Malave celebrated his 1,000th win on June 9th against the Jupiter Hammerheads. In 3 of his 4 seasons with Dunedin, Malave led the Jays to the playoffs. In 2007, he led the Dunedin Blue Jays (A) of the Florida State League to a 72-68 overall record. In the last month of the season, the Jays were within striking distance of a playoff spot.
DAROLD KNOWLES, enters his 3rd consecutive season as Pitching Coach of the Dunedin Blue Jays. The 2008 season will mark Knowles 47th season in professional baseball. He began his coaching career in 1981 spending 7 years as a minor league instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as pitching coach at the Major League level in 1989 and 1990. After spending the following two seasons coaching in the Phillies minor league system, he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates where he spent five seasons as the club's Class AAA pitching coach. In December of 2005, he was appointed as pitching coach for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League.
PAUL ELLIOTT, returns as Hitting Coach of the Dunedin Blue Jays for the 2008 season. Elliott joined the Blue Jays organization in 1996 as a coach in Medicine Hat of the Pioneer League. He spent the following two years as a coach in Knoxville and then Hagerstown before returning to Medicine Hat to make his managerial debut in 1999. After managing for two years at Medicine Hat, he went on to manage at Auburn, Charleston and Pulaski. In 2004, he was assigned to Dunedin of the Florida State League as a coach. The 2008 season marks his fifth year with the club.
ANDREW MUCCINO, enters his 3rd season as Athletic Trainer of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Prior to arriving in Dunedin, Muccino served with the Blue Jays Rookie Advanced affiliate in Pulaski and with the Blue Jays Single A affiliate in Lansing. The 2008 season will mark his 5th season with the Blue Jays organization.
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a Class A (Advanced) Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Dunedin opens the 2008 season at the Clearwater Threshers, Thursday, April 3rd. The Home Opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 5th at Knology Park against the Fort Myers Miracle.
For more information or to purchase your Dunedin Blue Jays Tickets call the Blue Jays Offices at 727-733-9302 or visit the website at Dunedin Blue Jays: Home.
For up-to-date information on the Dunedin Blue Jays including features, press releases, and promotions, visit our website at Dunedin Blue Jays: Home and sign up for the Dunedin Blue Jays' free email newsletter, The Inside Pitch.
The Brevard County Manatees Booster Club will have a meeting this Friday at 6:00 pm at the Perkins on Wickham Rd. Please link up in the meeting room in the back.
- Those individuals interested in being a bat boy/bat girl should send their name and contact information to info@spacecoaststadium.com. Please include name, age, telephone number and email address. Please type the text BAT BOY/GIRL in the subject line. We will be contacting all interested applicants. Bat Boys must be 14 years of age and have proof of age. No exceptions.
- Spring Training Tickets go on sale this Saturday at Space Coast Stadium.
- Season Ticket Holders that have paid off their season tickets may pick up their tickets on the 4th floor of Space Coast Stadium.
- Season Ticket Holders, make sure that you do not lose your season ticket holder card that is provided. It will not be replaced. The card is good for a free appetizer at TGI Friday's of Melbourne (corner Evans Rd and US 192) when you purchase an entree, and will admit you free to all Manatees road games.
- With the NY Giants upset over the GB Packers this weekend, there are no picks left that correctly have the NE Patriots and the NY Giants in the Super Bowl as part of our Super Bowl Pick 'Em Contest. A couple of you do have the NE Patriots winning it:
Rob Saunderson picked NE over Seattle, 27-24
Pete Fazzini picked NE over Dallas, 31-24
Karen Sexton picked NE over New Orleans, 28-17
Steve Hebert picked NE over Seattle, 27-18
To award one prize., we'll get the four people listed here to send us their predicted outcome of the Super Bowl. The person that is closest to the game's total points without going over will will a four-pack of tickets to the 2008 FSL All-Star Game. So, Rob, Pete, Karen and Otter Steve, you have until noon on Saturday the day before the Super Bowl to send us your pick. In the event of a tie, the email that was received the earliest will be declared the winner.
- Manatees staff member Kylee Hanish has joined the staff of the Huntsville Stars, the Milwaukee Brewers AA affiliate in the Southern League. Good luck, Kylee, and as always, Rock On! Ticket inquiries should now be directed to Kyle Smith or Dan Covey at (321) 633-9200 x3007 or x 3003.
- 2008 Manatees individual game tickets and 2008 FSL All-Star Game individual and group tickets will go on sale this Saturday at 9:00 am.
The Visalia Oaks are pleased to announce a return to Westcoast Broadcasting Inc. and KJUG AM 1270 radio for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons. Oaks Baseball had been broadcast on KJUG AM 1270 during the 2003-2006 seasons. Last season, 96.1FM was the flagship station for Oaks broadcasts.
OAKS BROADCASTS
In 2008, all 140 Oaks games (plus playoffs) will be broadcast live on KJUG AM 1270 and over the internet at oaksbaseball.com. In addition to the live broadcasts, the Player of the Week Show, Oaks Call of the Game and numerous other features will air on KJUG and sister stations KJUG-106.7FM and Z-104.9FM throughout the season. Future updates on the Oaks multi-media network can be found on oaksbaseball.com and kjug.com. Josh Rogol and Dan Besbris return for a second season as the Oaks radio broadcast team.
STRONGER SIGNAL ON KJUG 1270 AM
KJUG AM 1270, Visalia-Tulare's Classic Country Station, is one of three radio stations owned and operated by Westcoast Broadcasting Inc of Visalia. A benefit to Oaks fans will be KJUG's stronger signal, which reaches listeners from Fresno to northern Kern County. The 5,000 watt signal has a CUM audience of more than 13,000 listeners.
"We're thrilled to return Oaks Baseball to KJUG," said Oaks President Tom Seidler. "The improved signal is good news for Oaks fans throughout the Central Valley, and it's terrific for us to partner with another local business."
The Daytona Cubs are pleased to announce the return of Chicago Cubs Minor League insider InsidetheIvy.com, the definitive source for Chicago Cubs Minor League coverage. InsidetheIvy.com will sponsor the "Down on the Farm Report" for every Cubs' post-game show, heard locally on WELE-1380 AM and around the world at Daytona Cubs Baseball - www.daytonacubs.com. InsidetheIvy.com will also be the exclusive sponsor of every extra innings Daytona Cubs game. Editor-in-Chief Steve Holley will also join broadcasters Derek Ingram, Seth Millhoan, and Brian Chapman once a week to break down the entire Cubs organization during the season.
"Steve Holley's knowledge of the Cubs Minor League system is unparallel to any other person in the business," said Derek Ingram, Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Daytona Cubs. "His contributions to our broadcasts have made for a great partnership and we look forward to having him in the fold once again this year."
InsidetheIvy.com features comprehensive articles, interviews and prospect rankings for all levels of the minor-league system. Holley said he is excited to share his knowledge once again this year with Cubs fans about the farm system.
Daytona is currently the only team in the Florida State League to host a call-in post game show following every game. All fans are encouraged to interact with the broadcasters via phone calls or e-mails.
You can catch all the action of all 140 Daytona Cubs baseball games on WELE-1380 AM locally and around the world at Daytona Cubs Baseball - www.daytonacubs.com. This year 's home opener is April 3 against the Brevard County Manatees. General Admission and VIP season tickets are on sale now as well as Flex Packs, starting as low as $55 for 10 tickets. Please call (386) 257-3172 or visit us at Daytona Cubs Baseball - www.daytonacubs.com for more information.
Burlington, IA (January 21, 2008) - The New Year is off to a fast start as the 5th Annual Friends of Community Field/Burlington Bees Winter Banquet was a big hit on Saturday night. Despite sub-zero temperatures outside, a record-turnout of 179 guests gathered at the Great River Convention and Events Center adjacent to Catfish Bend Casino for food, fun, and to hear from keynote speaker Al Hrabosky. Between the tickets, auctions, and raffle, this year's event raised just over $11,000 for the stadium capital improvement fund.
"We're extremely pleased with the turnout on Saturday night and the results of this year's event," Bees General Manager Chuck Brockett said. "Al Hrabosky did a nice job as our speaker and was great in making time and signing autographs for everyone that wanted to meet him. Hopefully this is a sign of how excited everyone will be when Opening Day arrives in April."
Each element of the fundraiser did better than ever before. The live auction raised $7,500 thanks largely to a generous package offered at the last moment by Hrabosky himself. He offered four box seats to a Cardinals game, the chance to watch batting practice on the field, a visit to his TV booth, a tour of Busch Stadium, and a $100 credit to the "Al Hrabosky Ballpark Saloon" across the street from Busch Stadium. As the bidding grew, so did the package as autographed baseballs from Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Whitey Herzog, Tony LaRussa, Lou Piniella, and Ron Santo plus an overnight stay in St. Louis. As the bidding grew, Al stepped up and offered to let both bidders have the package if they would commit a final bid of $1,750 and both agreed. The silent auction raised another $2,390 with baskets of local goods and gift certificates and the highest bid on autographed items went for a package that included and autographed bat and base from Royals All-Star Mike Sweeney who rehabbed with the Bees in 2006. There was also a raffle that included a wide variety of prizes including another Sweeney bat, a signed jersey from Royals reliever Joel Peralta, and a 2008 Bonus Book of Bees tickets. The raffle raised another $620.
In addition to Hrabosky's talk, the program featured some nice moments. Bees President Dave Walker received a standing ovation after the first light show in Bees Banquet history re-created the scene from the Baseball Winter Meetings where Dave was named this year's "King of Baseball." Brockett also presented Homer Heitmeier with a special jacket in thanks for his generous contribution that led to the construction of the new Homer's at Third concession stand at Community Field.
To see some of the action, fans can check out the photo gallery that will accompany the recap on the Bees' official website at Burlington Bees: Home.
Rome, GA - The Sixth Annual Hot Stove Gathering will be held at State Mutual Stadium, home of the Rome Braves on Thursday January 31st from 5:30 until 7:30pm. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cancer Navigators, the Rome Braves announced today.
Cancer Navigators is a Rome-based patient advocacy organization providing access to important resources that touch all levels of the healing experience - body, mind, and spirit. Resources of Cancer Navigators are available to cancer patients, family members, and health care providers who treat cancer patients.
Former Braves player and coach Jim Beauchamp passed away this past December after a long battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. He was 68. Beauchamp was the bench coach for the Atlanta Braves from 1991-1998, a part of the team's World Series Championship in 1995. He most recently served as supervisor of minor league field operations for the organization, spending numerous days at State Mutual Stadium in Rome.
"We are very excited to partner with Cancer Navigators on this event and honor the memory of such an outstanding individual as Jim Beauchamp," says Rome Braves General Manager Michael Dunn. "He spent many days and nights in Rome and loved being part of baseball here. We will miss him."
Fans can look forward to a night of fun as Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox will be on hand along with special invited guests from the Atlanta organization. The 2008 Rome field staff of Randy Ingle, Bobby Moore, and pitching coach Jim Czajkowski will also be in attendance.
Heavy hor d'oeuvres with food stations and drinks will be located throughout the stadium and the Three Rivers Club. An autograph session in addition to a question and answer program will take place. Door prizes will be given throughout the evening.
Once again this year the Rome Braves will hold a silent auction from 5:30pm-7:00pm. Items have been donated from Major and Minor League teams across the country.
Tickets for the event can be purchased online at Official Home of the Rome Braves at $30 per person or at the Rome Braves ticket office. Get your tickets now as they are going fast.
Kannapolis, NC - The Kannapolis Intimidators announced today the game times for the upcoming 2008 season. The Intimidators home opener will be against the Asheville Tourists on Monday, April 7th @ 7:05pm.
Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium will again host 70 Intimidators home games this season. Game times will remain the same this season, Monday - Saturday games start at 7:05pm and Sunday games will start at 5:05pm. Gates will open an hour before all game times. Special times this season include Education Days on Wednesday, April 9, Tuesday, May 27, and Tuesday, June 3 all starting at 10:05am. Additional early start times include Camp Days on Monday, June 23rd and Wednesday, July 23rd starting @ 11:05am and Memorial Day, May 26th starting @ 2:05pm.
For more information or to purchase tickets please contact the Intimidators front office at (704) 932-3267 or via email at info@intimidatorsbaseball.com.
LAKEWOOD, N.J. - The Lakewood BlueClaws are looking for local families to assist in housing players during the 2008 season.
Anyone with a spare room can help provide lodging for this year's BlueClaws by either providing space or renting a room/apartment. In past years, the BlueClaws have received many inquiries from the community about hosting a BlueClaws player, however usually a pool of nearly 30 homes is needed to house the team.
"Host families are vitally important to our organization's success," BlueClaws General Manager Geoff Brown said. "Not only are they critical to any minor league club, but in our experience by the end of the season both the host family and the player come away with a lot of positive memories."
The BlueClaws are always looking to add to their list of families, especially homes in which Spanish is spoken, because of the number of Latin American players in the organization.
The regular season runs from April 3 until September 1 and players typically range from 19 to 24 years of age.
If you are interested in helping out or want more information, contact BlueClaws Front Office Manager Jaimie Smith at 732-901-7000, extension 100.
The Lakewood BlueClaws open the 2008 season against the Lake County Captains on April 3 at FirstEnergy Park at 6:35 p.m.
Frank Coonelly, President of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will be attending the second annual Spikes Fest, Saturday, February 9th. Spikes Fest 2008 will be held at the Penn State Multi Sport Facility from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The Spikes are teaming up with Coaches vs. Cancer once again and all proceeds from the event will go to benefit the charity.
Coonelly was named President of the Pirates in September 2007 after serving as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Labor in the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball for nine years. Coonelly, a Pennsylvania native and Penn State grad, will be on hand for a question and answer session during Spikes Fest.
"We are excited to have Frank make a visit to State College for Spikes Fest 2008, and look forward to continuing our great partnership with the Pirates," said Spikes' General Manager Rick Janac.
Along with Coonelly, 2007 Spikes players Justin Byler, Matt Cavagnaro and Gary Amato will be available for autographs and a question and answer segment, along with former Pirates pitcher Mike Johnston and former Curve pitcher Mike Connolly. The Penn State baseball coaching staff will also be in attendance. In addition to player appearances, Spikes Fest 2008 will feature arts and crafts, memorabilia displays and auctions, plenty of fun and games as well as entertainment from within the State College community. All proceeds raised during the day will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.
Kids will have a chance to hit in batting cages, see how fast they throw in the speed pitch station, while also having a chance to jump around and play in some of the inflatables that are part of the S&A Kids Zone at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Fans will have the opportunity to view lavish displays and memorabilia from the history of the Negro Leagues and listen to priceless stories about the trials and tribulations of what African Americans had to go through to play in the Major Leagues. Former Negro Leaguers Jim Weedon and Willie Fordham, who is also the author of I Gave It My Best Shot, will be available for questions.
Much like last year, Spikes Fest will feature plenty of entertainment from local community groups. The Nittany Wildkatz Cheerleaders, the Nittany Dreamers and Tir Na Nog Irish Dancers will provide plenty of enjoyment throughout the day.
Fans will also have the opportunity to bid on an array of sports memorabilia, in which all proceeds raised will benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.
The State College Spikes home opener is set for June 19th against the Jamestown Jammers. For information on season tickets or group packages for the upcoming 2008 season, or for more details on Spikes Fest, fans should call 877-99-SPIKES or log on to statecollegespikes.com: Home.
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