James Returns to RiverHawks
Published on July 9, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - One of the greatest hitters in Frontier League history has returned to the Rockford RiverHawks.
Rockford's only professional baseball team announced on Saturday that it has signed outfielder Jason James. James, a four-time all-star and former Frontier League batting champion who holds most of the RiverHawks' career hitting records, was traded to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the independent American Association shortly after Rockford announced its return to the Frontier League. James was released by Fargo on Friday.
James hit .263 with four home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games with the RedHawks this season.
RiverHawks manager Rich Austin said he plans to bat James in the cleanup spot as protection for all-star Jake Eigsti, who has a league-leading .404 average but has also been walked a league-high 39 times. Eigsti has been intentionally walked eight times, more than 10 of the league's other 11 teams.
James, who played college ball at Kishwaukee College and at Lindenwood University, spent his first four professional seasons with Rockford. Last season, James hit .283 with 10 home runs and 57 RBI and was a Northern League All-Star. He was a Frontier League All-Star in 2007-09. In '09, James had a 40-game hitting streak, a Frontier League record and tied for 15th-longest in the history of the minor leagues. James hit a team-record .374 that year to win the league batting title. Following the season, James signed with the Chicago Cubs and Baseball America magazine recognized him as a member of its All-Independent Leagues Team. James spent 2010 spring training in Mesa and appeared in a major-league exhibition against Cincinnati.
The RiverHawks traded James' rights to the RedHawks in the April 13 deal that brought Matt Zoltak to Rockford.
James is the RiverHawks' all-time leader in batting average (.337), home runs (44), RBI (256), games (404), at-bats (1,555), runs (227), hits (524), doubles (110) and outfield assists (33). When the RiverHawks left the Frontier League at the end of the 2009 season, James was second on the circuit's active hit list, at 415. His .355 career FL batting average is tied for fourth-highest in league history.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 19th season. Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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