DeLaGarza tabbed United League Rookie of the Year, club focused on bigger award
September 2, 2010 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX - The United League of Independent Professional Baseball announced their season awards yesterday which include honors from Most Valuable Player to Newspaper of the Year. Out of the nine possible categories, the Dillas received honors in just one with first-year outfielder Adam DeLaGarza earning Rookie of the Year.
DeLaGarza, a former standout shortstop at nearby West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, joined the Dillas this year as the equivalent of a walk-on when he tried out back in May at the recommendation of his college coach, Matt Vanderburg. Convinced that DeLaGarza was one of, if not the, most talented players on his squad Vanderburg was insistent in his approach when discussing his abilities with Dillas manager Brady Bogart. "We had some pointed conversations about Adam (DeLaGarza) and particularly how Matt (Vanderburg) was convinced that he belonged in professional baseball", Bogart said. "Over the last five years open tryout camps have produced outstanding results for us (Dillas) including the likes of Taylor Allen, Jonathan Reynoso, Mike Irby, and now Adam".
In his rookie season, DeLaGarza appeared in 86 of 93 regular season games posting a batting average of .305 with 20 doubles and 2 triples to go along with his 7 homeruns while scoring 73 times, in 367 plate appearances. Not only did DeLaGarza prove to be valuable offensively his versatility didn't go unnoticed having seen playing time at shortstop, second, third, centerfield, and finally anchoring himself as the everyday leftfielder. One thing is for certain in professional baseball in that effort will get you noticed and that is exactly what Dillas manager Brady Bogart got from this rookie. "When you have a player with the kind of talent that Adam possesses it truly becomes a luxury for a manager", Bogart said. "Early in the season we were trying to piece together the best defensive alignment which took some time but wouldn't have been possible without the flexibility of his talent".
Although the United League's top franchise in terms of attendance, wins, and championship trophies, since its' inception in 2006, didn't grab any additional honors the overwhelming focus in Amarillo is on winning a third-consecutive title. "We (Dillas) are proud of the effort from our entire team this year and particularly proud of Adam's accomplishment this year in his rookie season and we tip our cap to his performance over the season", Lee said. "Awards are nice but they're just awards and with our convincing win last night we are focused on winning the award that truly measures an organization and that's winning championships".
After their 6-1 victory of the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings in the semi-finals last night the Dillas will move on to face the winner of the Roadrunners - Broncos series which has moved to a decisive game three tonight in Edinburg. Regardless of whom their opponent will be the Dillas remain focused on winning a third-consecutive United League Championship.
Amarillo will travel tonight to either Edinburg or Laredo for Game 1 of the best-of-five championship series that will start tomorrow night with Game 2 on Saturday. The Dillas will return home to play Game 3 on Sunday which is slated for a 6:05pm start with Game's 4 and 5 to played, if necessary, on Monday and Tuesday respectively. Monday and Tuesday's game are scheduled to start at 7:05pm.
Single-game championship series tickets for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday games are available for purchase in-person or over the phone by visiting the Dillas Front Offices at 801 South Polk Street in downtown Amarillo or by calling (806) 342-0400. VISA and MasterCard accepted.
For more information about season and individual game tickets, game times, promotions, marketing opportunities, full game schedule, and everything else Dillas, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Dillas" by logging onto www.myamarillodillas.com.
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United League Baseball Stories from September 2, 2010
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- Colts Hard Work Earns Hardware - San Angelo Colts
- DeLaGarza tabbed United League Rookie of the Year, club focused on bigger award - Amarillo Dillas
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