Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Published on September 3, 2008 under California League (CalL1)
Visalia Rawhide News Release
VISALIA, CA-The 2008 Visalia Oaks may have missed out on the playoffs, but fans are still in on one of the fastest-growing clubs in Minor League Baseball.
The Oaks posted a 66-73 record, struggling to maintain a consistent winning groove all season. Several players, however, had standout campaigns. Pedro Ciriaco, in his second year with the Oaks, raised his average nearly sixty points from last year and improved his defense markedly, batting .310 while committing nine fewer errors. Pete Clifford led the team offensively with an .843 OPS while playing solid defense in left field. Evan Frey, meanwhile, posted an On-Base Percentage of .399 after joining the team at the All-Star break.
On the pitching side, top prospect Barry Enright posted a solid season, leading the league in strikeouts (143) and innings pitched (164.1). Josh Ellis was solid out of the bullpen all year, as opponents hit just .210 against him while he compiled an outstanding 2.40 ERA. And Kyler Newby emerged as the leader of the 'pen with 16 saves and an ERA of 2.69.
Attendance on the upswing in Visalia and throughout Minor League Baseball
The Oaks' 2008 attendance was 67,045, their second-highest total in the last decade. They reached that mark despite the smallest capacity (1,492) in ballpark history. The Oaks have posted a two-year total of 150,497, which is their highest 2-year total since 1951-52. With the renovations completed next season, the ballclub will seek to break the franchise's all-time attendance record of 104,311, set in 1947.
Minor League Baseball has set yet another attendance record this season, with a staggering 43,112,881 fans passing through the turnstiles. This marks the fifth consecutive season that MiLB has broken their previous record, and the Oaks are thrilled to have played a part in it.
Construction Update
Work on Recreation Park's new right-field areas continues steadily, with major construction scheduled for completion later this fall. The ballclub will also team with Habitat for Humanity on a community barnraising beyond the right-center field wall in November. Full details will be released later this month. The new Kids' Play Area is also scheduled to take shape soon. Work will continue through the off-season, and it will be ready for (hyper)action by Opening Day 2009.
Back with the D-Backs
The Oaks recently agreed to extend their Player Development Contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks through 2010, marking the first time a Major League club has renewed with Visalia this decade. The renewal proved that the city's commitment to the renovation project has already paid off, and will continue to do so in the future.
With Arizona's AAA franchise moving to Reno for 2009, Visalia also figures to become a more convenient location for rehabbing big leaguers. Randy Johnson, Eric Byrnes, Jeff DaVanon, and Chris Synder have made cameo appearances with the Oaks in the last two years, and the next two seasons promise to bring more big names to Recreation Park.
Fan appreciation
The Oaks would like to thank their loyal fans, sponsors, and community supporters for a great season, and promise that baseball's renaissance in Visalia will continue in spectacular fashion in the seasons ahead.
California League Stories from September 3, 2008
- Looking Back, Looking Ahead - Visalia Rawhide
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
