Belmonte Joins X's as Player Procurement Director
December 7, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Sioux City Explorers News Release
SIOUX CITY, IA - The Sioux City Explorers have added a key member to Field Manager Stan Cliburn's staff for the 2013 season. Today, they announced the hiring of Nick Belmonte as the team's Director of Player Procurement. Belmonte will assist Cliburn in the scouting and signing of high-caliber professional baseball players.
"As an organization, we are welcoming Nick and his professional input on player recruiting for the 2013 season," comments Cliburn. "This will give us an added tool in building and keeping our roster strong throughout the entire 100-game season and help us in our quest for a championship."
Belmonte has been signing players to professional contracts since 1990. In that time, he has signed over 1,500 players and counting. Several of his players have played Major League Baseball, most notably Rey Ordonez, Kevin Millar and Eddie Oropesa during year one of the Northern League. From 2009-2012, he had 13 of his players make Baseball America's "Top Ten Indy Prospects" list. He started the Indy Pro Showcase in 2006, where he scours the country looking for the best college seniors and free agents available. Belmonte has eight championship rings from Indy teams he has worked with including, the American Association.
"I'm excited to be a part of such a great franchise," states Belmonte. "I look forward to the challenge of helping bring Sioux City their first championship."
Belmonte played college baseball at the University of Florida, and professionally in both the Milwaukee Brewers and Montreal Expos organizations. Among other accomplishments, he still holds the Gators single-season record for stolen bases. As a minor league manager, he had a .673 winning percentage during his three seasons leading the Salt Lake Trappers (1990-1992). It was the highest winning percentage of any manager in professional baseball during that time.
For the past 25 years, Belmonte has been the color analyst for the Florida Gator Baseball broadcasts on Sun Sports and Fox Sports Florida. He can also be seen on Fox South doing color commentary for the ACC and SEC games of the week, as well as the ACC Baseball Championships. In addition, he has worked many NCAA Super Regional telecasts as an analyst for ESPN.
"The addition of Nick will be a great asset for our organization as we strive to provide our fans with a championship caliber team," states X's General Manager, Shane Tritz. "I am confident that Stan and Nick will do a tremendous job in scouring the country in order to bring the best available players to Sioux City."
2013 Season ticket packages are on sale now. You can reserve your tickets by calling (712) 277-WINS or by stopping down to the X's Box Office located at Lewis & Clark Park. You don't want to miss your 9 Innings of Vacation at Lewis & Clark Park in 2013! Stay up to date on all the X's news by visiting their website at www.xsbaseball.com or like them on Facebook!
American Association Stories from December 7, 2012
- Belmonte Joins X's as Player Procurement Director - Sioux City Explorers
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.
