Frontier League Tryout Camp Information Released
January 11, 2013 - Frontier League (FL) News Release
The 21st annual Frontier League Tryout Camp and Draft will be held on Monday, April 29 and Tuesday, April 30 at GCS Ballpark in Sauget, Illinois, home of the Gateway Grizzlies.
All 14 Frontier League teams will be represented at the workouts, and Major League Baseball scouts have been in attendance each of the past eight years. Advance registration is available at www.frontierleague.com while walk-up registration will begin at 8:00 AM on April 29.
The workouts officially begin at 9:00 AM on April 29 and will feature a 60-yard dash, fielding and throwing drills for infielders, outfielders, and catchers, and batting practice for position players while pitchers will throw 15-20 pitch bullpens. Following the first day, the field managers will post a list of players invited back for inter-squad games on April 30. At the conclusion of the games, action will break for 30 minutes as clubs evaluate the talent and prepare for the draft.
An average of 35 players each season have been drafted and signed to spring training contracts over the past eight years. Over 340 players participated in the 2012 Tryout Camp in Washington, Pennsylvania, with 133 invited back for the second day. 45 players were signed to spring training contracts last year, with 30 appearing in regular season games. Each year, at least one tryout camp participant has appeared in the Frontier League's All-Star Game. Several draftees have gone on to be signed by Major League Baseball organizations, including RHP Chris Jakubauskas who appeared in 69 MLB games (including 15 starts) over the past four seasons.
"The Frontier League Tryout Camp and Draft is the best way for a player to showcase himself so he can begin or continue his career in professional baseball," commented Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. "Our clubs take the workouts very seriously, and each year multiple attendees wind up making key contributions to playoff teams."
The Frontier League is entering its 21st season in 2013 and features 14 teams stretching from Pennsylvania to Missouri and from Kentucky to northern Michigan. The Frontier League annually advances the most players to MLB organizations of any of the independent leagues, and 23 former Frontier League players have played in the Major Leagues.
GCS Ballpark is located at exit 15 off I-255 in Illinois. People flying in should use the St. Louis Airport. For more information, please visit www.frontierleague.com or contact the Frontier League offices at 618.215.4134 or office@frontierleague.com.
IMPORTANT: As per the manufacturer's warranty for the artificial playing surface at GCS Ballpark, all players trying out must wear turf shoes or molded cleats. No metal cleats will be allowed. This policy is the same that is in effect for all events at GCS Ballpark. Players attempting to enter GCS Ballpark with metal cleats will be immediately disqualified from the workouts.
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Frontier League Stories from January 11, 2013
- Miners Sign 1B/DH Dan Kassouf and LHP Dayne Quist - Southern Illinois Miners
- Frontier League Tryout Camp Information Released - FL
- Grizzlies Re-Sign McClendon and Myers - Gateway Grizzlies
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