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**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:03 PM

Canadian American League

On Thursday come on down to the Sky Lounge and Bistro in Nashua to cheer on Pride General Manager Chris Hall as he shaves his head to help raise money for the Jimmy Fund and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. There is a $10 cover charge and the event runs from 7-10pm. All proceeds go to charity.

Community Events

The Nashua Pride have been very active in the Greater Nashua Community lately. The first week of March was Read Across America Week and the Pride were reading to classrooms throughout Nashua.

Kicking off the month, Primetime made a visit to Charlotte Ave Elementary School and greeted the students as they arrived at school to jump start their read-a-thon. On Wednesday, Shag and the Pride front office paid a visit to Fairgrounds Elementary and read to a class of 3rd and 4th graders. To close out the week Shag, Primetime, pitching coach John Roper and the front office read to classrooms at Charlotte Ave Elementary School. The Pride donated books to each school's library courtesy of Borders.

Two weeks ago, Stitches helped grant a wish of a very special boy whose dream came true when Make-A-Wish sent him on a trip to Florida to watch the Red Sox in Spring Training. Stitches was there to help send off this brave young Nashua native and helped kick start what was sure to be an exciting week. To finish out the week Pitching coach John Roper and Shag stopped by Mt. Pleasant Elementary School to help call bingo to some excited young fans.

Last week Stitches, manager Rick Miller and GM Chris Hall celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a festive charity breakfast with the Plus Company.

You can check out all of Stitches, Shag and Primetime's adventures on their new blog which you can check out at Welcome to NashuaPride.com.

Roster Update

The Pride have a slew of players returning from the 2007 Can-Am League Championship team. Pitchers Hideki Nagasaka, Jason Kosow, Lance Stevens and Eiji Yano, catchers Luis Rodriguez and Chris Torres, infielders Jack Joffrion and Bryan Duplissie, and outfielder Jerod Edmondson are all expected to don the Pride blue and white in 2008.

There are quite a few new faces so far on the Pride, coming from all across independent baseball. Pitchers Mike Joyce, Bucky Kosyk, Adam Piechowski and Andy Weimer and outfielder Jeremy Pickrel join the Pride from the former New Haven County Cutters and will help to improve the reigning champions.

Since the new year the Pride have also added pitcher Dan Valentin in a trade with the Atlantic City Surf. The Pride have also signed infielder Ismael Castro and Nashua native pitcher Reid Willett to contracts.

Employment Opportunities

The Nashua Pride have announced the time and date for their 2008 job fair. The fair will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 10am - 1pm at Historic Holman Stadium in Nashua. The Pride are looking to hire game day stadium and concession employees for the 2008 season. All prospective employees must be eligible to work in the United States. Check out Welcome to NashuaPride.com for more details.

Sponsors

The Pride would like to thank and recognize the following sponsors for partnering up and helping to get 2008 off in the right direction: Pepsi, Bellevance Beverage, Alphagraphics, Anthem Blue Cross, Bellwether Credit Union, Crown Uniform, Flethcher's Appliances, Goodale's, Hudson Mall, Merrimack County Savings, Town Fair Tire, and Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:05 PM

Atlantic League

(York, Pa): The return of right-handed relief pitcher Jason Olson to the York Revolution was officially announced today by Revs director of baseball operations Adam Gladstone and manager Chris Hoiles. The signing gives York 17 players on its 2008 preseason roster, including seven pitchers. Olson is the ninth member of last year's team to sign a contract to return this season, and was one of eight players to spend the entire 2007 season on the York roster.

Olson led the Revolution bullpen with five wins in relief last season. Overall, he went 6-5 with a 4.03 ERA in 42 games and one start. The 29-year-old was the winning pitcher in the Revs' first victory at Sovereign Bank Stadium on June 16, 2007. It was part of a stellar month of June for Olson, as he led all York pitchers with a 0.69 ERA during the season's second month.

One of the most solid options in the bullpen for Hoiles all season, Olson showed versatility by making his third career start, in a spot-start at Newark on August 25. He allowed just one earned run over six innings in that game to pick up the win.

The Prescott Valley, AZ native was often dominating in relief, allowing only three out of 14 inherited runners to score, and holding right-handed hitters to a .186 average.

"When Jason is on, he has the tendency to be un-hittable in this league," said Gladstone. "The last couple of years, he has spot-started and been successful in that role, and he also brings a veteran presence to the bullpen. He has learned to enjoy the York area, and is excited to return this season."

Olson embarks on his third Atlantic League season, having also pitched for the Somerset Patriots in 2006. He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 17th round of the 2000 draft, and has also spent time in the Los Angeles Angels organization, reaching Triple-A Salt Lake in 2005.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:06 PM

Atlantic League

NEWARK, NJ, Mar. 26-The defending Atlantic League Champion Newark Bears announced today that the club has re-signed right-handed pitchers Edwin Almonte and Matt Sweeney to contracts for the 2008 season. Almonte and Sweeney will report to the club when the Bears open spring training in Newark on April 12th.

Almonte will be entering his 10th season in professional baseball, his second season with the Bears. The former Major Leaguer posted a 2-5 record, 58.1 innings pitched, and 2.62 ERA while appearing in 44 games, with 9 saves in 2007 for Newark. The veteran Almonte ranked second on the club in games pitched and in games saved.

The 30 year-old Almonte was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 26th round of the 1998 draft, and he has spent time in both the Major League and Triple-A levels. After being traded to the New York Mets in July of 2003 in the Roberto Alomar deal, Almonte reached the big leagues, appearing in 12 games for the Mets that same season.

Almonte's best year was in 2001 while playing for Birmingham of the Southern League where he posted a 1.49 ERA, and led the league in saves with 36 and was 4th in games pitched (54), and was also selected to the Southern League All-Star team as a reliever. In his career, he has compiled a 30-46 record in 387 appearances as both a starter and reliever with a 3.48 ERA and 508 strikeouts.

Sweeney returns to the Bears this season after a brief stint with the club in 2007. The right-hander from Yardville, NJ began the '07 campaign with the Bears before his contract sold to the Houston Astros organization. He ended the year with the Salem Avalanche of the Carolina League in the Single-A level. While with Salem, he posted a 2-1 record in 20 appearances with 39.1 innings pitched while having 19 strikeouts during his tenure with the team.

The 24 year-old Sweeney is entering his 8th season in professional baseball and 2nd with the Newark Bears. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 11th round of the 2001 draft. While spending half the year with the Bears in 2007, Sweeney posted a 5-3 record with a 4.35 ERA while making 10 starts. He was selected as the Atlantic League's Pitcher of the Month in the month of May a year ago.

The Bears open up defense of their 2007 Atlantic League Championship on Friday, April 25th against the Long Island Ducks before playing their home opener on Tuesday, April 29th at 7:05PM against the Bridgeport Bluefish at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Bears ticket information may be obtained by calling 1-866-55-4BEAR and by logging on to the team's official website, newarkbears.com: Home.

TRANSACTIONS:

NEWARK BEARS (Atlantic League): Signed RHP Edwin Almonte and RHP Matt Sweeney

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:08 PM

Atlantic League

LANCASTER, Pa.-The Lancaster Barnstormers have added additional Major League experience to their bullpen. Six-year Major League veteran Jose Cabrera signed a 2008 contract, Barnstormers vice president of baseball operations Keith Lupton announced today.

Cabrera owns a career 19-17 record and a 4.95 ERA in nearly 200 Major League appearances with the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. His best season in the big leagues came in 2001 when, as a set-up man with the National League East champion Braves, he went 7-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 55 appearances. He also pitched in the 1999 National League Divisional Series for the Astros.

"We saw Jose at the Phillies tryout in Clearwater, and we felt he was the best pitcher in the camp that day," Lupton said.

Cabrera, 36, has a career 3.21 ERA in 10 minor league seasons, five of which were at the triple-A level. Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians, Cabrera was traded to Houston in 1997 and claimed off waivers by the Braves in 2001.

Cabrera's signing brings the total number of players under contract with the 2008 Barnstormers to 17. The club will head to Lakeland, Florida for spring training on April 14.

The Barnstormers will open 2008 season at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Friday, April 25, 2008 against the Bridgeport Bluefish. The only way to guarantee seats for Opening Weekend is by becoming a Barnstormers season ticket holder. For more information on the Barnstormers numerous flexible ticket plans, call (717) 509-HITS or visit Lancaster Barnstormers - Lancaster, PA Baseball.

Tickets to Opening Night will go on sale during the Barnstormers annual FanFest on Saturday, April 5. Single-game tickets to all other regular season games will go on sale during a special internet pre-sale on Monday, March 31.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:09 PM

Atlantic League

Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signings of four players for the 2008 season. First baseman and native Long Islander Rob Cafiero returns for his fourth season with the Flock. Joining Cafiero will be outfielder Jamal Strong, who has Major League experience with the Seattle Mariners, and spent the 2007 season in the Yankees system. The Ducks also charged their battery by adding pitcher Jim Magrane and catcher Robert Sandora.

"These players give us depth at every major position on our ballclub," says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff. "We're excited to have Rob back, and are looking forward to the contributions of our new additions as well."

Strong batted .286 in 40 games for Scranton-Wilkes Barre (AAA, Yankees) last season, and has played at the Triple-A level every year since 2003. He earned his first call-up to the big leagues that year, appearing in 12 games with Seattle. He was called up again by the Mariners in 2005. The California native holds a career .292 batting average in 758 games, and has racked up 293 stolen bases. The speedster earned All-Star honors in both the Midwest League (A) and California League (A) in 2001, and led the California League in steals in 2002 with 46. The 29-year-old was a sixth round draft choice of the Mariners in 2000.

Massapequa Park native Cafiero appeared in 38 games for the Ducks in 2007, blasting his first home run at Citibank Park as a Duck on May 17. The former Villanova Wildcat has been with the Ducks since 2005, and has shown superior glove work in the field with only five errors in three years. Rob's best season at the plate came as a member of the Road Warriors of the Atlantic League in 2004, when he set career highs in home runs (10), RBI (47), hits (82), doubles (10), runs (26), total bases (122), and slugging percentage (.360).

Prior to last season, Iowa native Magrane spent seven years in the Devil Rays organization. He has 68 career minor league victories with a 3.94 ERA in over 1,000 innings pitched. His best season came in 2000, when he recorded 12 victories, a 2.76 ERA and 162 strike outs. That year he was also second in the league with 27 games started and third in the league with 173 innings pitched. Magrane spent the 2007 campaign in the Nationals organization, compiling six wins and a 3.99 ERA in 130.2 innings of work for Double-A Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

Long Island native Sandora spent five seasons in the Nationals organization before signing with the Flock. He spent all of last season with Potomac (A, Nationals) of the Carolina League, batting .261. The West Babylon resident owns a career .323 on-base percentage in 92 career minor league contests.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are entering their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit The Official Website of The Long Island Ducks, or call (631) 940-3825.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:09 PM

Atlantic League

Bridgeport , CT - March 27th - The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball have announced the return of three players to the 2008 roster. The team re-signed pitchers Franklin Perez, Randy Dicken and Garrett Berger.

Perez was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1988 by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was 2-2 with the Bluefish last season with an ERA of 2.40. Perez struck out 52 batters in 60 innings and recorded 6 saves.

Dicken, 25, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 2004 draft, and played single A ball with the Blue Jays before coming to the Atlantic League last season. He pitched for the Camden Riversharks and the Road Warriors in 2007. For the Road Warriors, Dicken made 13 appearances, striking out 45 batters in 51.2 innings. Dicken was 1-0 last season for the Bluefish.

Berger, 24, was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 2nd round of the 2001 draft. Last season with the Bluefish, Berger saw time both as a starter and in relief. He pitched 73.2 innings and struck out 47 batters in 28 appearances.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:10 PM

Atlantic League

Bridgeport, CT - The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball have announced the signing of two more players to the 2008 roster. The team added infielder Wilson Batista and pitcher T.J. Tucker increasing the team total to five position players and eight pitchers.

Batista, 26, was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the New York Mets in 2000. He has seen time at the single-A level through AAA for the Mets. In 2005, Batista had a career high 74 runs, 131 hits, 12 home runs, and 50 RBIs between single-A Hagerstown and single-A St. Lucie.

Tucker, 29, was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1st round of the 1997 draft and pitched in the major leagues for the Expos and the Washington Nationals from 2000 - 2005. His best seasons came with the Expos in 2002 and 2004. In 2002, Tucker finished the season with a 6-3 record and a 4.11 ERA in 57 games. He pitched 61.1 innings, struck out 42 batters and recorded 4 saves. In 2004 he finished with a 4-2 record with an ERA of 3.72 in 67.2 innings. He struck out 44 batters in 54 games.

Tucker is the third first round draft pick signed to the Bluefish roster this season, joined by outfielder Shaun Boyd and pitcher Tim Drew.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:11 PM

American Association

LINCOLN, NEB. - With the start of the 2008 season less than two months away, the Lincoln Saltdogs have begun finalizing their spring training roster by re-signing one of the team's key veterans in Jarrett Gardner and adding three other players. The list of newcomers who will report in April includes pitchers RD Spiehs and Zach Cline and first baseman Dustin Yount, who is the son of Hall of Famer Robin Yount.

One of the most consistent pitchers in all of minor league baseball, RHP Jarrett Gardner emerged as the team's ace posting a 10-4 record with a 2.97 ERA that ranked second in the American Association. He also finished fourth in the league in wins and with 130.1 innings pitched. The Moore, Okla. native continued his remarkable strikeout to walks ratio recording 95 strikeouts while walking just 18 batters on the season. Over the course of his five professional seasons, Gardner has struck out 392 batters in 580.1 innings and walked just 65, an average of one base on balls per nine innings pitched. He's also shown impressive durability as a pro by working at least 100 innings in all but his shortened rookie season. The 27-year-old Gardner was originally drafted out of the University of Arkansas by Boston in 2003 and he spent three seasons in the Red Sox system before making his first stop with Lincoln in 2006. He left the Saltdogs in mid-season to join Fort Wayne (A) in the San Diego organization, where he finished 5-4 in 13 starts.

A Grand Island, Neb. native, RHP RD Spiehs pitched for NU from 1999-2001 winning 21 games in 63 appearances as both a starter and reliever. During his career with the Huskers, he was a part of the resurgence of Nebraska baseball helping the program win three Big 12 Tournament championships, the 2001 regular season title and secure NU's first-ever appearance in the College World Series. Spiehs was drafted after his junior season in the 33rd round by San Francisco and he went on to spend four seasons in the minor with the Giants, Seattle and San Diego organizations. During his six-year pro career, in which he has pitched exclusively as in relief, Spiehs spent four seasons at Double-A and he reached the Triple-A ranks in 2005 splitting time with Fresno and Portland. In 2007, he moved to the Independent ranks and made 55 appearances with Somerset in the Atlantic League and put together a 2-3 record with a 3.17 ERA with a career-high 23 saves. The 28-year-old Spiehs continues to make his home in Grand Island.

A Saltdog opponent last year, Dustin Yount joins Lincoln in 2008 as a first baseman-designated hitter. A ninth-round draft pick by Baltimore in 2001, he spent six seasons in the Orioles' organization, reaching Double-A with Bowie in 2006 before being released early last season. Yount then signed with St. Joe and hit .280 with six homeruns and 50 RBI in 82 games. At the conclusion of the American Association season, he finished up the year with New Jersey and hit .259 in seven games. The 25-year-old Yount, who now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz., grew up in Milwaukee where his father put together a Hall-of-Fame career with the Brewers and was a teammate of Lincoln manager Tim Johnson.

Also joining the Saltdogs' pitching staff is former Philadelphia farmhand LHP Zach Cline. Drafted by the Phillies in the 15th round in 2004, Cline split his first season as a reliever in Batavia and then as a starter Lakewood putting together a 7-1 record and a combined ERA fewer than three runs per game. He was unable to capitalize on his rookie success due to an injury, which forced him to miss the entire 2005 season. Cline returned to the game the following season and won seven games in two Single-A stops. Last year, he signed with Slippery Rock of the independent Frontier League and posted a 10-6 record with a 3.10 ERA in 19 games with 18 starts. He struck out 85 batters in 110.1 innings and posted two complete games with one shutout. The 6-3, 215-pound Cline, 24, lives in Union City, Pa.

The Saltdogs begin the 2008 season on May 8 at Pensacola with the home opener set for May 16 against the Pelicans. For team and ticket information, go to saltdogs.com: Home.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:13 PM

American Association

The Sioux City Explorers announced today that former Explorers Catcher, Chris Grossman has signed a 2008 American Association contract and will be with the club when the X's open Spring Training on April 26th.

Grossman, 27, re-joins the Explorers after spending the 2007 season in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Chris started the 2007 season with the Cardinals Midwest League team in the Quad Cites, where he hit .277 in 65 games while adding 14 doubles, 6 homeruns and driving in 42 runs. For his accomplishments, Grossman was moved up to the Cardinals Florida State League team in Palm Beach for the final 21 games of the 2007 season. For Palm Beach, Grossman hit .319 in 69 at-bats.

"With Chris returning to Sioux City, it is the missing piece we have been looking for", comments field manager Les Lancaster. "He brings several things to a team that a manager looks for in a catcher and he also adds another big bat in the middle of our line-up. He is a good catch and throw guy plus he has learned even more this past year in the Cardinals organization that will only benefit him and our team. Pitchers will like to see that big target behind the plate."

In his rookie season with the X's in 2005, Grossman compiled a .314 batting average with (16) doubles, (3) homeruns, while also driving in (48) RBI's. Chris served as the team's designated hitter for (59) games and also spent (26) games behind the plate. Grossman returned to the X's in 2006 and appeared in all (96) games as the X's everyday catcher. The 2006 season was a banner season for Grossman as he hit .305 with (30) doubles, (2) triples, (14) homeruns, while driving in (56) RBI's.

The 2008 season will mark the Alamo, CA native's 4th season in Professional Baseball and 3rd as a member of the X's.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:14 PM

American Association

The Fort Worth Cats have signed left-hander Skyler Tripp to a contact for the 2008 season, it was announced today. Tripp was the only selection made the Cats in the 2008 American Association tryout camp held at LaGrave Field Thursday and Friday.

Tripp, 21, was a 20th round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 out of Indian Hills Community College. He appeared in seven games with the Dodgers Gulf Coast League rookie ball team in 2006 and had a 1-0 record in 6 1/3 innings pitched. He did not play in 2007.

The Cats begin spring training on April 26 in Fort Worth. Their first exhibition game is on May 1st against Grand Prairie in Euless.

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