Can-Am New Jersey Jackals

Jackals hold successful open tryout

Published on May 12, 2004 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
New Jersey Jackals News Release


Little Falls, NJ – The Jackals held their highly anticipated annual open tryouts on Tuesday, May 11th at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, NJ. It was an opportunity for those with the dream of playing professional baseball, to step up to the plate to make that dream come true.

Players came from surrounding states to as far away as California for the early morning tryout, that was scheduled to get underway at 7:30 a.m., but Mother Nature had different plans. The previous evening, a line of torrential thunderstorms passed through the area, leaving the grounds of Yogi Berra Stadium very wet and not playable. As determined as the players were to show off their talents, the grounds crews were on a mission of their own to provide an opportunity for the players to play.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., the mounting anxiety diminished, and the Tryouts finally started. 110 players showed, with an audience of 3 television cameras, several newspaper writers and numerous season tickets holders anxious for the season to begin in only a few weeks. With an age range of anywhere from 20 to 40 years old, it was easy to see that the interest in playing for the Jackals was at a record high.

Players were put through the typical Tryout process. First, the players stretched and ran before the actual Tryout proceeded in order to get ready for the long day that lay ahead of them. Pitchers threw off the mound, outfielders threw to bases, infielders too live balls to evaluate their abilities, and many players got the opportunity to show off their offense prowess at the plate.

Although no players were signed at the Tryout, numerous candidates will be given the opportunity at a second look in the upcoming weeks, as Opening Day approaches.

"There were a couple of outfielders who threw well, and a few pitchers who really had good velocity and command of their pitches," said General Manager Clyde Smoll. "Perhaps Jackals' Manager Joe Calfapietra and his coaches will be interested in someone. Everyone worked hard and endured the wet conditions. We very much appreciate the interest in our ball club that the players showed today."

The 2004 season begins on May 27th, when the Jackals will host the Bangor Lumberjacks at Yogi Berra Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m. For tickets, please visit the Jackals Ticket Office, or call (973) 746-7434. For more information about the Jackals, go online at www. Jackals.com.

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Canadian American League Stories from May 12, 2004


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