Black Bears Sign Brothers with Baseball Lineage

Published on February 6, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Berkshire Black Bears News Release


PITTSFIELD- The Berkshire Black Bears announced today the signings of Pete & Mack Paciorek for the 2003 season. Both brothers bring solid hitting ability, steady glove work, & the baseball genes. Their father, John Paciorek, played for the Houston Colt 45's (now Astros) in 1963 while uncle Jim played for the Brewers in 1987. Another uncle, Tom, spent eighteen years in the majors with the Dodgers, White Sox, & Rangers.

Pete, a 1994 draft pick of the San Diego Padres, played for the Western League's Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox in 2002 where his coach was Black Bears manager Darren Bush. He hit a career-high .330, but Bush speaks highly of his defensive ability at first base (only five errors last season). "Pete is one of the best defensive 1st basemen I've ever seen and fits the perfect vet role with his blend of enthusiasm & experience", says Bush. His best season came in 1998 with Single-A Rancho Cugamonga, batting .277 with 17 HRs and 86 RBIs while leading the Quakes to the California League finals.

Mack Paciorek is a middle infielder who spent 2002 with the Joliet Jackhammers in the Northern League Central. The Iowa State graduate played in 2001 for the Johnstown Johnnies in the Frontier League, hitting .292 with 24 doubles. Like his brother Pete, Mack adds some defensive flavor. "He hits above average but his defense role will be viewed more importantly", says Bush. The brothers Paciorek also bring valuable postseason experience to the Black Bears with Pete making four appearances in eight seasons and Mack going to the playoffs with Joliet in his second pro season in 2002.

The Berkshire Black Bears also announced a partnership with Ohio-based TRZ Sports Information Services to bring the broadcast of all 92 games this season to the TEAMLINE network. TEAMLINE allows for out-of-market fans and the families of players to listen to the live play-by-play via telephone. Since 1990, this service has provided live coverage of over 40,000 events annually. More than 50 minor league teams, including the Birmingham Barons, Toledo Mud Hens, & the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League, used the TEAMLINE service in 2002. Fans planning to listen to the Black Bears can dial 1-800-846-4700 and enter in the team code 0120. For more information on TEAMLINE, go to www.teamline.cc.

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 February 6, 2003


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