Beach Bums Add Veteran Bat, Rookie Pitcher
January 26, 2010 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
Traverse City MI-- The Traverse City Beach Bums have announced the additions of veteran 3rd basemen Bobby Spain and rookie right-handed pitcher Justin Deme to their 2010 roster.
Spain, who will be 25 in May, was drafted in the 19th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007 following an All-American season at shortstop for Oklahoma City University. The 6'4" 205-pound left-handed hitting infielder made the full-time move to 3rd base as a professional, and hit.286 with 47 doubles, 10 home runs, and 107 RBI in three seasons as a Pirate farmhand. His best season came in 2008 with the Hickory Crawdads of the South Atlantic League, when he hit.312 with 22 doubles, five home runs, and 43 RBI.
"Spain is a huge piece in our lineup, and our infield, as we build our 2010 roster," said Beach Bums Director of Baseball Operations Jason Wuerfel. "Beach Bums' Field Manager, Gregg Langbehn, managed against Spain in the South Atlantic League in 2008, and had a lot of good things to say about him offensively and defensively. In the past, we've had a lot of players hit.240 at the class low-A level and come in and be a.300 hitter in the Frontier League. Since Bobby is a.300 hitter at the class low-A level, we believe he can be a special hitter in the Frontier League and an integral part of the middle of our lineup."
Deme, a right-handed pitcher from Grass Valley, California, last pitched in 2006 for Sacramento State University. The 6'3" 210-pound righty was recommended by former Beach Bums' catcher and current Texas Rangers' minor leaguer Robbie Alcombrack.
"Robbie gave us a call this off-season and said we needed to give Deme a look," said Wuerfel. "He has been working out with Robbie and clocked as high as 93 mph. He has the type of undiscovered talent that makes the Frontier League popular, and we are going to give him a shot to make our squad in the spring."
The Traverse City Beach Bums are entering their fifth season of play in 2010, with the home opener scheduled for Friday, May 28th versus the Oakland County Cruisers. The Beach Bums will play 54 of their 96 games at home in 2010. Season tickets are now on sale -- please phone 231-943-0100.
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Frontier League Stories from January 26, 2010
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