Beach Bums Acquire Big Bat
August 16, 2011 - Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
TRAVERSE CITY, MI- The Traverse City Beach Bums are excited to announce a trade with the Florence Freedom for 2010 Frontier League home run leader infielder Stephen Shults.
Shults is expected to be in uniform tonight when the Beach Bums take on the Lake Erie Crushers. The Beach Bums sent a player to named later to the Freedom to complete the trade.
Shults hit .309 with a Frontier League best 23 home runs and 65 RBI last season for the Freedom. He was hitting .200 with 13 homers and 45 runs batted in prior to his being dealt to the Beach Bums. The 6'2", 230 lb infielder homered in the 2010 Frontier League All-Star Game, and brings added versatility to the team "Shults gives us some options with his ability to play all infield positions," said Beach Bums bench coach Jason Wuerfel. "We're excited to add his bat to the lineup for the stretch run".
The addition of Shults adds another bat to a potent middle of the lineup that includes left fielder J. T. Hall, whose 19 home runs have him tied for second in the Frontier League.
Shults was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 2006 draft after completing his senior season at Walter State Community College in Tennessee. His best year in affiliated ball came in 2007 when he hit .271 with six home runs and 25 RBI with the Danville Braves of the Appalachian League.
In a corresponding move, the Beach Bums released right handed pitcher Matt Smith, who went 1-6 with a 9.00 ERA in 28 innings on the mound.
The Beach Bums begin an all-important three-game series against the Lake Erie Crushers beginning tonight on Two for Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. With the purchase of every chairback ticket you get a second one absolutely FREE! Be sure to invite all your friends and family to enjoy a great night at the ballpark and take advantage of this great deal! Left hander Bryan Banes starts for the Beach Bums.
If you can't make it to Wuerfel Park to join the fun in person -- or if you are in attendance bring your radio and catch the Budweiser Pregame Show starting at 6:45 p.m. on Sunny Country 101.9 FM and streaming online through tcbeachbums.com.
• Discuss this story on the Frontier League message board...
Frontier League Stories from August 16, 2011
- Rascals Clinch Third-Straight Playoff Berth - River City Rascals
- CornBelters battle, but fall short to Rascals - Normal CornBelters
- Grizzlies End Miners Hot Streak - Southern Illinois Miners
- Grizzlies Power Past Miners at Home - Gateway Grizzlies
- RiverHawks Snap Skid, Shut Out âBolts, 2-0 - Rockford RiverHawks
- Beach Bums Fall In Series Opener - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Gonzalez-Diaz Outduels Banes In 4-1 Crushers Win - Lake Erie Crushers
- Evansville Wins Back To Back To Back Games - Evansville Otters
- Big Eighth Inning Downs Freedom - Florence Y'alls
- Washington Ends Joliet's Winning Streak at Seven Games - Joliet Slammers
- Wild Things Split Doubleheader with Joliet - Washington Wild Things
- Renshaw Goes the Distance Again as Slammers Take Game One - Joliet Slammers
- Beach Bums Acquire Big Bat - Traverse City Beach Bums
- August 16 Joliet Slammers Doubleheader Game Notes - Joliet Slammers
- James, Durand Traded to Winndy City - Rockford RiverHawks
- Rascals Back Home For 6-Game Stand - River City Rascals
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.
