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**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:15 PM

American Association

LINCOLN, NEB. - The Lincoln Saltdogs strengthened their bullpen for the start of the 2008 season by signing one of the nation's top collegiate closers in former Arizona State Sun Devil, Jason Jarvis.

As a freshman in 2007, Jarvis joined the Sun Devil program after a semester in junior college and did not become eligible to pitch at ASU until March. He went onto to appear in 21 games and posted a 2-2 record with a 4.50 ERA with a freshman record 11 saves, which ranked him fourth in the Pac 10 Conference. He struck out 22 and walked only eight in 30 innings of work and also of note, outside of one sub-par outing shortly after joining the team, his earned run average was 2.99.

This spring, Jarvis began the 2008 collegiate season as the Sun Devils' closer and recorded two saves before being declared ineligible in February because of a dispute over the grading of an online exam. While he was cleared of academic dishonesty after appeal, his grade was not restored and he was then ruled academically ineligible for the remainder of the season. Rather than sit out, Jarvis elected to leave the school and apply to the Commissioner's office for inclusion in the Major League's amateur draft. His application has since been approved and thus the 6-2, 195-pound right-hander will be available for selection in the June draft. Jarvis comes to Lincoln through his agent, Oscar Suarez, who has represented several players who have signed with the Saltdogs. When Jarvis elected to turn pro, Suarez again turned to Lincoln and a deal was reached.

Jarvis joins a list of prominent amateur prospects who have begun their professional careers in the Independent ranks prior to entering the draft or signing with a Major League Organization. Among those in recent seasons who have competed in the Northern League and American Association include Tagg Bozied (Sioux Falls), Luke Hochevar (Fort Worth), and J.D. Drew (St. Paul).

A native of Scottsdale, Ariz., Jarvis was one of the top prep pitching prospects in the Class of 2006 after leading powerhouse Chaparral High School to two state championships. As a senior, he finished with a 12-0 record and a 1.40 ERA and was drafted in the 25th round by Anaheim. Jarvis was slated to attend the University of San Diego but elected to enroll at Chandler-Gilbert Community College for a semester before transferring to ASU. In addition to his high school resume, Jarvis led his summer team, the Arizona Firebirds, to the 2006 Connie Mack World Series championship and was named the tournament's MVP while playing the outfield and catching as well as serving as the team's pitching ace.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:16 PM

American Association

Pensacola Pelicans Manager Mac Seibert is busy putting together his team for the 2008 season, which begins on May 8 against the Lincoln Saltdogs. Seibert, along with the other league managers, was in Fort Worth, TX for the annual American Association try-out camp. Seibert and the Pelicans announced today that they selected right-handed pitcher Tyler French and outfielder Joe Hicks from the try-out camp.

French and Hicks were two of the eight players selected in this year's draft. In total, more than 100 players participated in the try-out.

Tyler French played last season with the Texas Heat in the Continental Baseball League. He finished with 3-2 record and 49 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work. Prior to his professional career, French played at Western Oregon University.

"Tyler has an excellent breaking pitch, better than the Major League average," commented Seibert. "He will add a spot to our bullpen."

Joe Hicks originally signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization where he played for five seasons.

"Joe is a fine athlete with above average speed," said Seibert.

Season tickets, party deck, and suite rentals are for sale by calling the Pelicans office at 850-934-8444 or by visiting The Official Website of the Pensacola Pelicans.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:18 PM

Pioneer League

The Lindquist Field expansion project is heating up and taking shape. The foundations are almost complete and the steel should be going up soon. They are hoping to begin the demolition of the roof for the admin/clubhouse area next week. This will speed up the construction timetable. The view from roof will be awesome! If your company or group wants to book a night out on the deck of the new "Tar Pit", please call us at 393-2400 to make arrangements. We anticipate high bookings for this area so don't delay!

It looks like construction of the stadium suites will have to wait till the fall. Everything was going fine until we found out that seismic plans had not bee handled in the drawings. It will simply take too long to get that done and still get building permits in time to build. The logical thing is to wait until the season ends then try to build. All those season ticket holders in the higher rows should feel good knowing they will not be replaced this season. For those of you who have committed to a suite, we will contact you during the spring and summer and keep you updated.

Many former Raptors are doing well in spring training with the LA Dodgers. (Please see list below)

Russell Martin .200

Chin Lung Hu .241

Blake DeWitt .286

Andy LaRoche .350

Xaiver Paul .263

Luke May .308

Chad Billingsley 0-1 6.48

Ramon Troncoso 1-0 3.18

Cory Wade 0-0 2.25

I expect only Martin and Billingsley to remain with the big club when camp breaks, but you never know.

There should be some updated photos on the website hopefully by the end of the day Thursday. Take a look and tell me what you think? We are excited about it and hope you will be too.

Don't forget that advertising sponsorships, group outings and ticket sales are still going on. If you want information on how your company can place a sign on the wall, place and ad in the souvenir program, purchase a night out in tickets, whatever, please call us at 393-2400, or reply to me from email. We have everything you need to meet your budget!

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:19 PM

Pioneer League

The Missoula Osprey dugout will be led by a special combination of youth, enthusiasm and experience when the club takes the field for their 10th season in Missoula on June 17 against Billings under the guidance of new manager Audo Vicente.

The 28-year-old Vicente, who has experience both as a minor-league player and manager spent last season as the manager of the Diamondbacks' affiliate in the Dominican Summer League. An infielder, who played all four positions, Vicente last played professional baseball in 1998.

Vicente has been compared to former Osprey manager Hector De La Cruz, who continues to move up the Arizona system. One of the most successful and popular managers in Osprey history, De La Cruz led the Osprey to the Pioneer League Championship in 2006. He will manage at Double-A Mobile in 2008.

"The Osprey organization is excited to announce our coaching staff for the coming season. Audo Vicente reminds me of some of the successful managers we had in the past like Hector De La Cruz and Chip Hale", said Osprey Vice President/General Manager Matt Ellis. "Audo will bring that same high level of enthusiasm, professionalism, and expectations to the dugout this season as we saw from Chip and Hector. I think our fans will be real pleased with his abilities to lead the quality talent we assemble in Missoula this summer."

Pitching coach Steve Merriman returns to the Osprey staff in 2008. The hitting coach will be former major leaguer Alan Zinter.

The 2007 Pioneer League Trainer of the Year Atsu Takei will serve in the same role for the Osprey this season and Jason Downing will be the new strength and conditioning coach.

Merriman will be in his third season as a minor-league pitching coach and his second in Missoula.

His prior experience includes serving as bullpen coach for the Detroit Tigers from 1996-98, a scout for the Colorado Rockies, and as a pitching coach for the University of Michigan and the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York-Penn League affiliate of the New York Mets.

The 39-year-old Zinter, spent parts of two seasons in the major leagues, making his debut in 2002 with the Houston Astros, and then playing in 28 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004. Zinter was the 24th pick in the amateur draft by the New York Mets in 1989. He was also drafted three years earlier by the San Diego Padres, but did not sign a professional contract. Zinter played in the Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs and Tigers organizations before being signed as a free-agent by the Astros in 2000.

Zinter's top season as a professional came in 1998 with the Iowa Cubs, when he hit .310 with 23 homeruns and 84 RBIs in 129 games. Zinter also hit .335 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 54 games for Tucson in 2004. The first baseman/catcher/outfielder finished his playing career last season, with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League. In 91 games with the Patriots, Zinter hit .261 with 13 homeruns and 43 RBIs.

Zinter was a career .259 hitter in 15 minor-league seasons, most of them at the Triple-A level.

"We feel fortunate to have as much major league experience as we do with Merriman and Zinter," Ellis said. "They will be an excellent compliment to Audo's youth and energy in both the clubhouse and the dugout."

Takei will be back for his second year in Missoula. He was named the 2007 Pioneer League Trainer of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.

OSPREY SEASON TICKETS

2008 Missoula Osprey season tickets are still on sale. Enjoy the same seat for all 38 regular season home games by purchasing a full season ticket.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:21 PM

Northwest League

BOISE, ID - The Boise Hawks host Pitch, Hit and Run competition at Memorial Stadium.

Pitch, Hit and Run is a local competition sponsored by Aquafina. The Boise Hawks Baseball Club will host the event at Memorial Stadium on May 2 @ 6:30 p.m. The event is free to all with boys and girls ages 7 to 14 eligible to participate.

The participants will compete in the three most fundamental aspects of baseball: pitching, hitting and running, then the kids will be scored and the All-Around Champion, Pitching Champion, Hitting Champion and the Running Champion will have the opportunity to compete in the sectional competition at a Mariners game in Seattle.

The sectional all-around champions advance to the team championships and the winners of the team championship will compete at the national finals held in New York at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

For more information regarding the Hawks' event, please contact Kristen Nimmo at 322-5000.

The Hawks continue to prepare for their 22nd season of Northwest League play in 2008. The club has won 6 NWL Championships, the most recent banner coming in 2004. Season, mini-plan, and single game tickets for Hawks' games are available at 322-5000. Don't stand in line. Purchase and print your tickets from home @ BoiseHawks.com. The Boise Hawks...rated F for fun!

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:21 PM

Northwest League

Everett, WA - The Everett AquaSox announced a change in their 2008 field staff today with the appointment of Jack Uhey as pitching coach. Uhey, 51, returns this year after having served for three years (1984 - 86) as the original pitching coach for the Everett Giants.

Previously a longtime scout with the Los Angeles Angels, who named him their "Scout of the Year" in 2006, Uhey will also serve as the area scout in charge of Washington for the Seattle Mariners. He joins manager Jose Moreno, hitting coach Henry Cotto, and trainer Spyder Webb to round out the 2008 staff. Nasusel Cabrera, who had been named AquaSox pitching coach last December, has been reassigned to the Seattle Mariners' rookie Pulaski (VA) club in the Appalachian League.

Entering his 33rd year in professional baseball, Uhey, a former right-handed pitcher, was drafted out of High School by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round of the 1974 draft. He made numerous stops in the minors, reaching as high as AAA Vancouver in 1982.

The AquaSox home opener is scheduled for Sunday, June 22 - 7:05 p.m. vs. the Boise Hawks.

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:22 PM

Northwest League

BOISE, ID - Josh Arteaga joins the Boise Hawks field staff as hitting coach. The former infielder hit .318 with the Hawks as a player in 2001.

Arteaga replaces Ricardo Medina on Tom Beyers' 2008 staff. Medina is currently rehabilitating an arm injury in his native Panama.

Arteaga, an infielder who played in Chicago's minor league system from 2001-2005, begins his first season as a coach at the professional level

- A veteran of 592 minor league games, Josh batted .244 with 22 home runs and 202 RBI in seven seasons from 2001-2007.

- Last played professionally in 2007 with the Newark Bears and Road Warriors in the independent Atlantic League.

- Originally selected by the Cubs in the 20th round of the 2001 First Year Player Draft...hit .318 with Single-A Boise in 40 games during the 2001 campaign.

- Reached the Triple-A level with Iowa in 2003-2005.

- Was released by Chicago in June 2005 but was signed to a minor league contract by Atlanta that same month...spent the remainder of 2005 and all of 2006 in Atlanta's system.

- Graduated from Homestaed (Fla.) High School in 1998...attended Virginia Commonwealth University and Motlow State Community College.

FULL NAME: Joshua Arteaga

BORN: 3/14/80 in Miami, FL

RESIDENCE: Homestead, FL

FAMILY: Single

The Hawks continue to prepare for their 22nd season of Northwest League play in 2008. The club has won 6 NWL Championships, the most recent banner coming in 2004. Season, mini-plan, and single game tickets for Hawks' games are available at 322-5000. Don't stand in line. Purchase and print your tickets from home @ BoiseHawks.com. The Boise Hawks...rated F for fun!

**truebluefan** · 03-30-2008, 07:23 PM

New York-Penn League

The State College Spikes announced the schedule of fan giveaways for the 2008 season today. Throughout the 38-game home schedule, the Spikes will feature a total of 18 new and fun fan giveaways. The fan giveaways of 2008 will range from a free trip to Myrtle Beach to a floppy hat.

"This year's schedule hosts a broad spectrum of fan giveaways," said Spikes' General Manager Rick Janac. "There is really something for everyone, no matter what their interest might me."

The most unique giveaway of the 2008 season falls on August 29th, then the Spikes will give away a trip to Myrtle Beach, courtesy of the Myrtle Beach Area CVB. The trip will include air fare and a hotel for 3 days and two nights for two adults to Myrtle Beach, SC. The trip will be given away sometime during the August 29th game as the Spikes face the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at 7:05 p.m. More details on the trip will be released at a later date.

In addition to the trip, another big giveaway for the 2008 season will occur on July 2nd when the club hosts "Hillbilly Matt's Used Car Giveaway." The Spikes will give away multiple cars to fans in attendance to watch the Spikes take on the Vermont Lake Monsters.

New to 2008 will be the Fan's Choice Bobblehead presented by The Family Clothesline. Fans will have the opportunity to vote on which former Spike they would like to see as the 2008 Spikes Bobblehead. Fans can vote on-line at statecollegespikes.com: Home or by visiting The Family Clothesline in downtown State College beginning Monday, March 31. The bobblehead chosen by the fans will be given to the first 2,000 fans through the gates on July 10th when the Spikes play the Hudson Valley Renegades.

The complete list of 2008 Spikes fan giveaways is listed below:

- Thursday, June 19 (7:05 PM) - 2008 Schedule Magnet Giveaway PRESENTED BY PSECU (First 5,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Saturday, June 21 (7:05 PM) - 2008 Spikes Promotional Poster Giveaway PRESENTED BY SPE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (First 2,500 Fans, All Ages)

- Tuesday, June 24 (7:05 PM) - Spikes Travel Mug Giveaway PRESENTED BY CENTRAL PA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Tuesday, July 1 (7:05 PM) - Spikes Slinky Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, 14 & Under)

- Wednesday, July 2 (7:05 PM) - Hillbilly Matt's Used Car Giveaway

- Friday, July 4 (1:00 PM) - Mini-Flag Giveaway (First 3,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Wednesday, July 9 (7:05 PM) - Spikes Golf Ball Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Thursday, July 10 (7:05 PM) - People's Choice Bobblehead Giveaway PRESENTED BY THE FAMILY CLOTHESLINE (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Wednesday, July 16 (7:05 PM) - Spikes Floppy Hat Giveaway PRESENTED BY PENN STATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Saturday, July 19 (7:05 PM) - Nittany Bank Nookie Monster Bank Giveaway PRESENTED BY NITTANY BANK (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages

- Saturday, July 26 (7:05 PM) - Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Photo Ball Giveaway PRESENTED BY MCDONALD'S (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages

- Tuesday, July 29 (7:05 PM) - Wooden Bat Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Tuesday, August 12 (7:05 PM) - Pirates Prospect Card Set Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Wednesday, August 13 (7:05 PM) - Pink Visor Giveaway (First 1,500 Women, All Ages)

- Thursday, August 21 (7:05 PM) - Spikes Sling Bag Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

- Friday, August 29 (5:30 PM) - Myrtle Beach Trip Giveaway PRESENTED BY THE MYRTLE BEACH AREA CVB

- Tuesday, September 2 (7:05 PM) - Pimp Your Dorm Room Giveaway

- Wednesday, September 3 (7:05 PM) - Re-Usable Grocery Bag Giveaway (First 2,000 Fans, All Ages)

Single-game tickets for the Spikes' 2008 season will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, March 29th, beginning at 9 a.m. through the Spikes Ticket Office and on-line at statecollegespikes.com: Home. To mark the first day of individual ticket sales, the Spikes will hold their annual TicketPalooza event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. This free event, which will be held at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, features samples from the 2008 Spikes menu, ballpark tours, on-field games and National Anthem Tryouts for the 2008 Spikes season. For complete information regarding the Spikes TicketPalooza 2008, as well as a complete list of activities, fans can visit statecollegespikes.com: Home.

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