Dillas Re-sign Five
May 29, 2009 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Amarillo Dillas News Release
AMARILLO, TX - The Amarillo Dillas Baseball Club announced today that the club has re-signed five players from last year's United League championship squad and signed four new players.
Veteran right hander Taylor Allen returns for his fourth season as a starter posting a record of 8-7 last year with an ERA of 5.85 while making 17 starts and pitching 107.2 innings. Originally signed as a free agent in 2006, Allen has solid career numbers with a career record of 26-19 and an ERA of 4.89 logging over 347 innings pitched. Allen's ability to perform as an inning eater down the stretch proved to play an integral part during the Dillas championship run in 2008.
Journeyman outfielder Sam McLain has found a place to call home in Amarillo, after spending parts of the last three seasons playing for two other United League teams including the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings and San Angelo Colts. McLain started 2008 in Harlingen until he was released after spring training when he was then signed by Doc Edwards (San Angelo) and was acquired by the Dillas a week later in a trade for a player to be named.
Rodriguez returns for his second season as a member of the starting rotation after only managing to win two games in eleven starts while posting a 6.13 ERA. Certainly the key to repeating as United League champions will once again be a total team effort, but it's no secret that strong pitching will play an integral part.
"Overall last year our pitching staff performed very well throughout the season", Dillas' Field Manager Brady Bogart said. "But without equivocation, in some ways they will have to find a way to improve upon what they accomplished last year and that's not said to single out any one guy or to put pressure on anyone, that's just a fact. I expect a lot from these guys but that's a good thing in my eyes", Bogart added.
Wong comes back for a second tour with Amarillo anchoring the hot corner and Bogart will be the first to tell you that his style isn't necessarily sexy but it's efficient. Wong batted .282 driving in 45 runs and reached base via base on balls 34 times while playing in 82 games. He split time between third base and designated hitter until he became the full time corner man when Gary Schneidmiller went down due to injury.
"At this point, I am very pleased with how our roster is taking shape with several guys coming back from last year's team", Bogart said. "Our fans will see some familiar faces again this year and some new faces but my comfort level with our team gets stronger everyday that we get closer to the start of spring training in couple weeks".
United League Baseball Opening Day 2009 is Thursday, June 11th when the Dillas travel to San Angelo for a four game series against the Colts before returning to Amarillo for their home opener against the Harlingen WhiteWings on Monday, June 15th. Dillas single game tickets officially go on-sale Monday, June 1st and for everything else Dillas, visit the "Official Website of the Amarillo Dillas" at www.myamarillodillas.com.
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United League Baseball Stories from May 29, 2009
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- Dillas Re-sign Five - Amarillo Dillas
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