truebluefan

Frontier League

MARION, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Miners have signed former University of Connecticut outfielder Josh Farkes and former SIU Edwardsville pitcher Clay Zavada for the 2008 season.

In 2006 at UConn, Farkes posted a .349 batting average and did not commit an error in 52 games. He also earned Player of the Week honors in the Big East. The strong-armed Farkes was slowed during the 2007 season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery but still managed to hit five home runs and drive in 26 RBI in 50 games.

"I had a chance to work Josh out down in Clearwater," Miners Manager Mike Pinto said. "He is very athletic, has a plus arm from the outfield and showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields along with showing bat speed and some power. Josh also threw off the mound for me and he may be an option there as well."

Zavada, a hard throwing lefty, comes to the Miners from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. In his 2006 rookie season with the D-backs Pioneer League affiliate, the Missoula Osprey, he posted a 3.47 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 49.1 innings and walked only 15. In his 22 relief appearances he held opposing hitters to a .217 average. Following the death of his father, he took the 2007 season off to get his family farm in order.

"Clay is anxious to get back to baseball after the year off," Pinto said. "I have watched Clay since his junior college days. He throws hard. He throws strikes and does not allow many base runners. Clay will be a great addition to our staff. He hopes to come in, excel and get himself back to a major league organization."

Zavada was selected by Arizona in the 30th round of the 2006 draft out of SIUE. In his final season in college he went 5-3 with a 2.42 ERA. He was second in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with 90 strikeouts in 70.1 innings.

He is the fifth pitcher the Miners have added to the roster since the end of the 2007 season. Zavada was a college teammate of catcher Jake Smith who the Miners acquired in a trade earlier this week.

"You can tell Mike has really focused on adding pitching depth this season," Miners General Manager Tim Arseneau said. "I'm sure our fans are eager to see how well this team is shaping up."

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

Golden Baseball League

The Calgary Vipers continue to load up on familiar talent as they prepare for their first season in the California Golden League. With sluggers Darryl Brinkley and Carlos Duncan and pitching ace Evan Greusel already on board for the 2008 season the Vipers today announced the signing of six more returning players.

Drew Miller, the Vipers 2006 MVP, has signed on for his fourth season in Calgary. The Medicine Hat native who represented the Vipers in last season's All-Star game holds the club iron man record having played in every single game since the team came into existence. Miller hit .299 in 2007 with 10 home runs and 69 RBI. The 28-year old native of Medicine Hat, Alberta is currently playing in Australia.

Also agreeing to new contracts were All-Star shortstop Nelson Castro, catcher Kevin Price, utility player Shaun Ashman as well as pitchers Jordy Alexander and Geoff Freeborn.

Castro was named Baseball America Independent League All-Star along with Duncan and Brinkley last October. The 31-year old Dominican, who lives in Lynn, MA, hit .323 with 23 RBI last season for the snakes.

Both Price and Ashman saw duties in multiple roles last season. Both had stints behind the plate and in the outfield. Ashman is returning for his 4th season with the Vipers. Price is currently playing on the same team as Miller in Australia.

Freeborn had an incredible 2007 season with the Vipers. The 26-year old Airdrie resident was sensational out of the bullpen appearing in 42 games with the Vipers and accumulating a 6-2 record before leaving in late August to play for Great Britain in an Olympic qualifying tournament.

Alexander came to the Vipers at the All-Star break. The Edmonton native, now living in Calgary, started twelve games for the Vipers before suffering an injury. He returned just before the playoffs and was outstanding out of the bullpen against both Fargo and Gary in post-season play.

Calgary has also signed 24 year old left handed pitcher Jordan Neufeld for the 2008 season. Neufeld appeared in 21 games for Macon of the South Coast League last season accumulating an ERA of 3.95.

The Vipers and Edmonton Cracker-Cats joined the Golden League in October and will compete in 2008 against Hall of Famer Gary Carter and his Orange County (CA) Flyers, Steve Yeager and his Long Beach (CA) Armada, former major league All-Star Jeffrey Leonard and his Reno (NV) SilverSox, the Chico (CA) Outlaws, St. George (UT) Roadrunners and Yuma (AZ) Scorpions. The GBL also expects expansion of up to three teams in British Columbia and Washington for the 2009 season and from two to three additional franchises in California and Arizona.

Vipers Player-Coach Darryl Brinkley leaves for Yuma, Arizona next week. He will act as a manager for the Yuma club in the Golden League's Arizona Winter League. Vipers skipper Mike Busch will scout games in that league in mid-February.

truebluefan

Northern League

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Manager Andy McCauley and the Kansas City T-Bones have announced that infielder Geoff McCallum has re-signed for the 2008 season.

McCallum played in 61 games for the T-Bones last year after joining the team in June. Immediately after joining the T-Bones, McCallum hit safely in 12 of his first 13 games. He ended the year hitting .275 with a home run and 28 runs batted in. Primarily a leadoff hitter he compiled an on-base percentage of .353.

"I'm really happy to have Geoff back for next year," said McCauley. "He has been training very hard in Toronto for the upcoming season. He's a perennial all-star and no doubt the best shortstop in the league. Geoff is a leader in the clubhouse and on the field."

The T-Bones have also added left-handed pitcher Marc Major to the 2008 roster. Major has spent the better part of his four year professional career playing in his native country of Canada. Major spent the past two seasons playing for the Quebec Capitals of the independent Can-Am League. In 2007 he was 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA in 13 appearances. He walked six while striking out 12 in 18 innings all in relief. For his career he has compiled a 5-6 record with a 3.97 ERA.

"Marc was recommended to me by former pitching coach Brett Gray," said McCauley. "Marc has pitched in the league with Winnipeg in the past, but has more recently pitched in the very competitive inter-country league in Ontario. He has a very impressive arm, and we are looking for Marc to add depth to our bullpen."

The T-Bones open the 2008 season on the road May 15 in Winnipeg, before the home-opener at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on May 23 against the Schaumburg Flyers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. Season tickets are on sale now by calling the T-Bones box office at (913) 328-5618.