Black Bears Ready for 2003 Season

Published on March 27, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Berkshire Black Bears News Release


Hello Black Bear fans! Spring has arrived and the season is coming up very soon. We are looking forward to a much improved 2003 season and seeing the great Black Bears faithful out to Wahconah Park this summer.

The Black Bears' roster continues to undergo a facelift as 11 players were added during the past month. The players bring a mix of youth, veteran leadership, and the ability to win. Manager Darren Bush has made it his duty to bring championship caliber baseball to the Berkshires in 2003.

Catchers Chris Briones and Kris Zacuto will compete for the coveted backstop role. Briones, a 1995 draft choice of the Texas Rangers, made quite an impression in 2002 with Sonoma County of the Western League. He batted .305 with 9 HRs and 52 RBIs while committing only four errors behind the plate. Black Bears Manager Darren Bush, a coach in the Western League last season, marvels at what he sees from Chris. "He brings a disciplined approach to the plate, can hit for power, and calls an outstanding game for a catcher", says Bush. His ability to handle a pitching staff should make an immediate impact on the Black Bears. Kris Zacuto spent four solid seasons at Loyola Marymount University, combining for a .330 average, 29 HRs, and 163 RBIs. He showed the ability to handle a pitching staff and versatility by playing both outfield and first base along with his normal duties as catcher.

At the corners, veteran 1st baseman Ryan Jones, a 1993 draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays, has spent over 10 years in minor league baseball and has produced at each level. He has hit at least 15 HRs in a season seven times, including a career-high 22 for Single-A Lancaster in 2001. Ryan's best season came in 1996 with Knoxville of the Southern League, batting .271 with 20 HRs and 97 RBIs. He will compete for the starting job with Pete Paciorek. After spending two seasons at Santa Rosa (CA) Junior College, 3rd baseman Charlie Frasier produced two standout seasons with the University of Oklahoma. He combined for a .290 average, 25 HRs and 105 RBIs while displaying a steady glove at both infield corner positions.

The gaps will certainly be covered with the addition of four outfielders. Raul Cruz was a key contributor in Frontier League championships for the Richmond Roosters in 2001 and 2002. In 2001, Cruz batted .260 with 12 HRs and 32 RBIs and showed the ability to change the complexion of a game. Signed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1997, Jason Clark spent his rookie season with Hudson Valley in the New York-Penn League before moving onto Evansville of the independent Frontier League the following season. In two seasons, he batted .326 and averaged 25 stolen bases per season. Jason spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons with Quebec and Winnipeg of the Northern League before landing with the New Jersey Jackals in time for a Northern League championship at the end of the 2001 season. He played for the Gary South Shore Railcats in 2002. From 1998-2001, he made the playoffs each season. The all time leader in HRs, RBIs, Runs Scored, and Total Bases for Division II Erskine College, Joe Whitm! er spent the 2000 season with Canton of the Frontier League and batted .306. In 2002, he was a top offensive player for Selma in the Southeastern League, batting over .300 and displaying a good amount of power. P.J. Johnston played college ball at McNeese State University in 2001 & 2002, where he displayed good speed and defense. He committed only three errors during his two seasons.

A 1993 draft choice of the Kansas City Royals, Kenny Ray has built a career on his versatility. His ability to start got him to Triple-A Omaha in 1997 while his relief prowess landed him a spot in the majors with Kansas City in 1999. In 2002, Kenny pitched for Yuba-Sutter of the Western League and complied a 2-0 record with an ERA of 2.38. "He is a flat-out competitor and throws a variety of pitches", says Bush. Ray is expected to fill the closer's role left open with the departure of Joe Cotton. A graduate of Indiana State University, Tony is no stranger to independent league baseball. He spent four seasons from 1998-2001 in the Frontier League with the Richmond Roosters and Springfield Capitals, winning 25 games. He led the league with a 2.36 ERA in 1998 to go along with a 10-1 record. Tony spent 2002 with Yuba-Sutter in the Western League and receives accolades from Black Bears manager Darren Bush. "He is a power pitcher who shows no fear out on the mound", says Bush. Bus! h likens Harden's competitive nature on the field to that of a "tenacious bulldog" and emphasizes his desire to go 9 innings every start. Leonardo Mayi previously spent time with the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, where he had a 3.67 ERA and struck out 54 batters in 56 innings.

With the addition of the Lynn-based North Shore Spirit to the Northeast League, the time has come to determine which Bay State baseball team (Sorry Boston, you still have to beat that "Evil Empire" in the Bronx) is the best this upcoming season. The Berkshire Black Bears and the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the North Shore Spirit and the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Brockton Rox and the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, have announced the creation of the Commonwealth Cup series. The series between the Berkshire Black Bears, North Shore Spirit and Brockton Rox will take place throughout the 2003 season. The winner of the Commonwealth Cup will be the team with the most wins in games between the three.

The idea for the Commonwealth Cup came about during the Northeast League General Managers meeting held in Pittsfield this past January. With three Northeast League teams in Massachusetts, the Cup adds extra meaning to the concept of an in-state rivalry.

"We're excited to be part of the Commonwealth Cup series and it should make fans even more energized about games between the three teams", says Black Bears President/General Manager Mike Kardamis. Berkshire, Brockton, and North Shore will play each other a total of 13 times during the regular season.

The Berkshire Black Bears would like to invite your youth baseball team to take part in the "Field of Dreams" program. This program is a great way for your team to be recognized in front of the crowd at historic Wahconah Park and provide your players with a memory they will always cherish.

During the introduction of the starting lineups before the game, each player on your team will run out one-by-one with a Black Bears player as they are announced. Your team's player will stand next to the Black Bears player during the National Anthem and return to their seats to enjoy the game. Team members and coaches will receive a free Grandstand ticket for participating in the "Field of Dreams" program. Parents and additional family members may purchase an adult Grandstand ticket for $5 or $3 for kids & seniors.

It's easy to get your team signed up for "Field of Dreams". Pick out a home game your team would like to attend and call us to reserve the game. All you have to do after that is provide a team roster with names, numbers, and positions at least one day prior to your game date. Your team must be in uniform at Wahconah Park 30 minutes prior to game time. For more information, call (413) 448-2255. Requests for "Field of Dreams" are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don't wait. Sign up for "Field of Dreams" today!

Are you a sports card and memorabilia fan? Pat Bassi of Bassball Sports Cards on Tyler St. in Pittsfield will be hosting his Spring Sports Card Show on Sunday April 13th at the ITAM Lodge on Waubeek Rd. in Pittsfield. The show will take place between 9:30am-4:00pm. Admission is $2.50 for adults, $1.00 for kids 6-12, and kids under 6 are free. This show attracts hundreds of sports fans and provides collectors a chance to buy & sell all types of sports memorabilia. 6-foot and 8-foot tables for the event can also be reserved. Don't forget to come by the Black Bears table to purchase merchandise and tickets for this upcoming season. For more information or to reserve a table, call Pat at Bassball Sports Cards at (413) 447-8262 or (413) 445-5354.

The Berkshire Black Bears begin their second season at Wahconah Park on June 2 against the Quebec Les Capitales. Season and individual game tickets are now on sale by calling the Berkshire Black Bears office at (413) 448-2255. More information on the Berkshire Black Bears can be obtained by visiting their website at www.berkshireblackbears.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from March 27, 2003


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.

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