Hot Stove is Getting Closer
January 23, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Beloit Sky Carp News Release
The Beloit Professional Baseball Association, Inc. will be hosting their fifth annual Winter Snappers Hot Stove Banquet on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 at the Country Club of Beloit. The banquet will feature Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire and Twins General Manager Bill Smith. Appearances are subject to change.
Ron Gardenhire will begin his eighth season as manager of the Minnesota Twins in 2009. Gardenhire was named Twins manager on January 4th, 2002 replacing legendary manager Tom Kelly. Under Gardenhire's guidance the Twins have won four American League Central Division titles, have never finished lower than third in the division and have a combined record of 622 - 512 (.549 winning percentage).
Bill Smith enters his second season as the Twins General Manager, after taking over for Terry Ryan in the fall of 2007. Smith has been a member of the Twins organization since 1986 and is the fifth GM in team history. He is responsible for the team that is put on the field, negotiating contracts and overseeing the coaching staff and the entire baseball operations department.
Smith served 13 seasons as Vice President/Assistant General Manager under Terry Ryan. He has been active in representing the baseball department in the planning and design of the new Twins ballpark. Smith is also a member of the Minor League Baseball Board of Trustees and represents the Twins in scheduling and Winter League Baseball issues.
In addition to the guest speakers, there will be a silent auction with proceeds going to benefit the Pohlman Field Improvement Fund. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to purchase Snappers season tickets as well as select Snappers merchandise.
The Beloit Professional Baseball Association will also present two awards for the first time at the Snappers Winter Hot Stove Banquet.
Earning the Stateline Area Team of the Year are the Hononegah Indians (Rockton, IL) baseball team and this years Stateline Area Player of the Year will be presented to Mike Jacobs of Beloit Turner High School.
The Hononegah squad, lead by head coach Matt Simpson, went 23-9 during the 2008 season, winning their Regional Championship and reaching the Sectional final before succumbing to the eventual Illinois high school state champs by a score of 4-2.
Looking ahead to the 2009 season, the Indians will bring back their entire pitching staff, which allowed just 69 earned runs in 32 games. One of Hononegahs' aces, Ryan Scarpetta, is rated in the top 5 of all junior's in the state of Illinois by many scouts and showcase agencies. Senior pitcher Matt Carroll has already signed a letter of intent to play for Valparaiso University (IN).
Senior Mike Jacobs earned the Player of the Year award by going 7-3 for Beloit (WI) Turner High School. Jacobs struck out 99 and walked 21 while working 63 innings, to go along with a 1.10 earned run average and .196 batting average against during the 2008 season. After the season, Jacobs was named to the All-Conference and All-District teams, along with being placed on the All-District Academic team and earning honorable mention on the All-State Academic Team.
Award winners were chosen by the Snappers front office staff after discussion and opinions of local media members and baseball personnel.
Tickets are still available for the Winter Hot Stove Banquet. The event will be held at the Country Club of Beloit. Tickets are just $25 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Each ticket includes dinner, dessert and a General Admission voucher good for any 2009 regular season home game. For more information or to purchase Hot Stove tickets please contact the Snappers front office at 608-362-2272.
The Country Club of Beloit is located at 2327 South Riverside Drive in Beloit. The doors will open at 5:45 pm for the silent auction, cocktails, and social time. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm with the program immediately following.
Ticket packages for the 2009 season are now available with plenty of perks to go along with them. Contact a Snappers' representative at 2301 Skyline Drive in Beloit, 608-362-2272, or www.snappersbaseball.com for more information.
Midwest League Stories from January 23, 2009
- Cougars Winter Banquet Next Friday - Kane County Cougars
- Angels restructure Minor League staffs: Johnson to manage Quakes in '09 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Hot Stove is Getting Closer - Beloit Sky Carp
- Former Dragons on Top-10 Prospect List - Dayton Dragons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
