FL Windy City ThunderBolts

Cheetahs retain 2002 home run, stolen base leaders

Published on February 17, 2003 under Frontier League (FL)
Windy City ThunderBolts News Release


CRESTWOOD, IL – The Cook County Cheetahs announced the re-signing of two players today, including 2002 home run leader Sean Bischofberger. The team also returns centerfielder Nick Gontmaher, who led the Cheetahs in stolen bases last season.

Bischofberger, 24, hit .290 in 2002, his first season of professional baseball. He led the Cheetahs with 12 home runs and was second on the team with 45 runs batted in. Bischofberger played in 65 games and had 207 at bats, playing first and third base. He will come to camp in 2003 as a catcher, his position at Cal State-Fullerton.

"Bish was one of the guys we had to have back this year, this is a huge signing for us," said Cheetahs General Manager Chuck Heeman. "Last season he was recovering from arm surgery and was limited to playing the corners and being a DH, but we're counting on him to be part of the catching rotation this season along with Rick Stegbauer. Between Rick, Sean and Dan Wells, we should be set at the catcher-first base-DH rotation."

Gontmaher, 23, joined the Cheetahs in June after 12 games with the Johnstown Johnnies. With the Cheetahs, he hit .300 with 2 home runs and 23 runs batted in. Gontmaher led the Cheetahs with 16 stolen bases (in 20 attempts) while batting leadoff in 61 of his 64 games with the team.

"Nick really helped stabilize our lineup after he came to us last season," Heeman said. "With he and Sean back with us, and with T.J. Runnels and Jeremiah Bergheger at short and second, our middle defense is looking pretty good."

The Cheetahs open training camp on May 9, and open the regular season on May 23 at home against the Rockford RiverHawks. For information on the Cheetahs, call 708-489-2255.

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