Colts CF Ronnie Gaines named ULB Rookie of the Year

August 17, 2007 - United League Baseball (ULB)
San Angelo Colts News Release


SAN ANGELO, Texas - While San Angelo Colts center fielder Ronnie Gaines may not play like a rookie, he is, in fact, in his first professional season. Today, Gaines was awarded for his outstanding freshman campaign, as he was named the 2007 United League Baseball Rookie of the Year.

The United League announced all of its end-of-season awards today, and San Angelo garnered another honor in addition to Gaines' award. Foster Field, maintained by Colts stadium superintendent Joe Stapp and his crew, was named the Playing Surface of the Year.

The awards were voted on by the ULB field managers, media personnel and league office. Edinburg shortstop Nelson Teilon, who leads the league with a .364 average and 92 RBIs, was named the Most Valuable Player. Former Alexandria left-hander Adam Cox, who is now playing at the Single-A level for the Boston Red Sox, was tabbed as the Pitcher of the Year. Cox threw 106 innings for the Aces, posting a 12-2 record and a 2.38 ERA to lead all pitchers. Alexandria took home another award as Aces manager Ricky VanAsselberg, who was Co-manager of the Year in 2006, was named the 2007 Manager of the Year. VanAsselberg has led the Aces to a second-half championship and a league-best record of 53-34.

Also, La Copa Hotel in McAllen, TX (Edinburg Coyotes) was named Hotel of the Year and Amarillo's Jeff Baldwin and Alexandria's Ricky Doyle were names Co-clubhouse Managers of the Year. The United League will announce its Franchise and Executive of the Year at a later date.

Gaines is among the league leaders in several categories, including third in home runs as he has 18 dingers to lead the Colts. The 23-year-old is also fourth in the league with a .338 average and is first in ULB with 133 hits, 54 extra-base hits, and 10 triples. In addition, the Temple, Texas native, who has just one error in 89 games in the outfield, is third in runs scored (76), fifth in stolen bases (29), and second in slugging percentage (.591). Gaines, who played his last two years of college ball at Angelo State University, has played in all but one game for San Angelo and has 50 RBIs on the season, primarily out of the leadoff spot.

"He's dominated in every aspect of the game: defense, baserunning, and power," Colts manager Doc Edwards said about the All-Star. "He has a great future ahead of him, and in addition to being an outstanding player, he's a quality young man."

The Colts have returned to Foster Field to begin their final home series of the year tonight as they continue to battle the Alexandria Aces. First pitch this evening, which is Throwback Jersey Night sponsored by the Concho Valley Partnership, is set for 7:05 p.m.

Advertising, ticket, and group information are available by calling the box office at (325) 942-6587. All Colts games are broadcast live on "Cool 100" - KCLL 100.1 FM and online at the Colts' official website, www.sanangelocolts.com, which is updated daily with the latest team news.

The San Angelo Colts are a part of a six-team league that make up United League Baseball. The independent league has teams located in San Angelo, Laredo, Amarillo, Edinburg, and Rio Grande Valley, Texas as well as Alexandria, Louisiana, and began play in the 2006 season.



United League Baseball Stories from August 17, 2007


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