Come Meet The JackHammers At The Department Tonight
May 4, 2010 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - The 2010 JackHammers Caravan Tour kicks off tonight with a stop at The Department in Joliet. The event, sponsored by Jack Daniel's, will feature the Jack Girls, free cocktail samples and some free prizes from Jack Daniel's.
The festivities begin at 7 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. The Department is located at 205 North Chicago Street in downtown Joliet. A complete list of all the Caravan Tour dates are listed below.
Day Date Time Location Address Tuesday May 4th 7-9 p.m. The Department 205 N Chicago St., Joliet Wednesday May 5th 7-9 p.m. 158 North Grill 158 N. Chicago St., Joliet Thursday May 6th 7-9 p.m. Morgan's Bar and Grill 18700 S. Old LaGrange Rd., Mokena Saturday May 8th 10 a.m. Silver Cross Field 1 Mayor Art Schultz Dr., Joliet Monday May 10th 7-9 p.m. Hooters 3301 Hennepin Dr., Joliet Tuesday May 11th 7-9 p.m. Texas Roadhouse 3151 Tonti Dr., Joliet Wednesday May 12th 5-7 p.m. Joliet Historical Museum 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet Thursday May 13th 7-9 p.m. Charleston's Bar and Grill 2101 Calistoga Dr., New Lenox Saturday May 15th 5:30-7:30 p.m. Westfield-Louis Joliet Mall 3340 Mall Loop Dr., Joliet
LOOSE GRAVEL: The Joliet JackHammers open the 2010 season on May 21st against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in North Dakota. The Home Opener is Friday, May 28th at 7:10 p.m. against the Lake County Fielders, one of two Northern League expansion teams. Season tickets, group outings and suites are available now. For more information, call the JackHammers at 815.726.BALL (2255)
Competition Highlights the Start of Spring Training
JOLIET, IL - The JackHammers don't open up the season until May 21st in Fargo, but the competition on the field begins today as the 2010 roster reports to Spring Training. The JackHammers will hold their first team practice today and suit up for seven exhibition games before Opening Day.
The JackHammers currently have 28 players under contract including 13 pitchers and 15 position players. Of the 28 players, 25 have experience in affiliated baseball with nine at least reaching the Double-A level. Reliever and Morris, Illinois native, Billy Petrick, is the lone Major League representative, pitching nine games out of the Chicago Cubs' bullpen in 2007.
"We have tried to assemble a roster of guys that are athletic, versatile, energetic, unselfish and full of character and integrity," said JackHammers Manager Chad Parker. "We will have multiple options in each position, so there will be a lot of competition in camp."
The pitching staff features eight possible starters and five guys that could see action in the ninth inning. Devin Anderson, Drew Shetrone and Rory Shortell all return from last season's team with Anderson and Shortell competing for a spot in the rotation. Newcomers Ross Stout and Ronald "Bear" Bay have starting experience along with Jeff Fischer. Bay and Fischer were in the Northern League last season with Winnipeg and Gary respectively.
Brad Correll, Kevin Rios and Freddie Thon all return to Joliet to lead the position players. All three will compete for jobs on the infield with some fresh faces. Roberto Mena and Brandon McArthur both came over in trades from the Frontier League and have experience playing up the middle. Larry Cobb, who appeared in Triple-A last season in the Oakland A's system, can play second and in the outfield. Jorge Rodriguez signed out of the World Baseball Tryout and also can play both middle infield positions. Joe Billick and Rafael Mendez will battle for playing time behind the plate.
The outfield is jam packed with quality players at all three positions. Mike Epping and Ryan Basham spent last season in the Frontier League, while Justin Justice comes over from Fargo-Moorhead. Jonathan Wyatt and Jon Nelson both have affiliated experience, including a stop in Triple-A in 2008 for Nelson.
"It will not be a very comfortable clubhouse in Spring Training, but we will break camp with a solid 22-23 players that we feel like gives us our best chance to compete night in and night out," commented Parker.
LOOSE GRAVEL: The Joliet JackHammers open the 2010 season on May 21st against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in North Dakota. The Home Opener is Friday, May 28th at 7:10 p.m. against the Lake County Fielders, one of two Northern League expansion teams. Season tickets, group outings and suites are available now. For more information, call the JackHammers at 815.726.BALL (2255)
Player Spotlight: Devin Anderson
JOLIET, IL - The start of Spring Training is here and now the JackHammers begin their quest for their first playoff berth since 2002. Every day until Opening Day on Friday, May 21st in Fargo-Moorhead, a different player will be under the spotlight giving all fans an opportunity to learn the 2010 JackHammers. Today features left-hander pitcher Devin Anderson.
Bats: Left Throws: Left Height: 6'5" Weight: 245 D.O.B. 1/24/84 Opening Day Age: 26 2009 Club: Joliet 2010 Status: LS-1 Acquired: Re-signed with Joliet on 2/2/10 Resides: Ocoee, Florida
Loose Gravel: Anderson played for Chad Parker in 2007 when both were with the Macon Music of the independent South Coast League. Devin was a 28th round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 2002 draft after attending Pensacola Junior College.
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Northern League Stories from May 4, 2010
- Come Meet The JackHammers At The Department Tonight - Joliet JackHammers
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