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Kelowna Falcons

Kelowna Falcons Set 2011 Player Roster

May 20, 2011 - West Coast League (WCL)
Kelowna Falcons News Release


Kelowna, BC: The Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League (WCL) are proud to announce their player roster for the 2011 season which begins June 3rd in Bellingham.

The roster is highlighted by SEVEN Canadian born players, including one from Kelowna. An eighth Canadian born player has been offered a 10-day contract and given the opportunity to make the ball club. The club will feature 15 pitchers and 18 positional players, including four of the best athletes from the UBC Thunderbirds.

To add to the Canadian flavour the Falcons have hired Al Cantwell as the new head coach. Cantwell was born in Saint John, New Brunswick and grew up in Calgary. He becomes the eighth head coach in franchise history and first Canadian since 2005.

Along with the eight Canadians, the Falcons have recruited nine players from California, two from Oregon and a pair of players from both Louisiana and Texas, baseball hot beds.

For the first time in franchise history the Falcons will receive two players from San Diego State University, a team coached by Major League Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. Three other schools are sending players north for the first time; Cornell University, Louisiana State University-Shreveport (LSUS) and the University of Illinois.

Like last season the majority of Falcons will come from Division One schools in the NCAA, including three more players from the University of California, Davis. Last season Dayne Quist from UC Davis was named the WCL Pitcher of the Year.

"We're really excited and like our chances," says Falcons General Manager Mark Nonis. "We have a ton of speed and really good pitching, I know we'll be a very exciting team to watch this summer."

"I've always wanted to get more Canadians on this team, but up until this year the talent and skill has been tough to find. The four players from UBC will be a big part of our team. The Thunderbirds were ranked fifth in the nation for most of the year in the NAIA. Pitcher Jared Mortenson from Abbotsford was 9-1 this year and has helped LSUS to the championship round in playoffs. Ryan Paterson from Duncan is on a 10-day contract and Graham Drope from Kelowna and Kelly Norris-Jones from Victoria should help to add to our success."

Players and coaches will start to arrive in Kelowna on May 30th, with the first official practice on June 2nd.

The Falcons begin the season on the road June 3 in Bellingham before their traditional FREE home opener on June 10 presented by Kon Kast.

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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.

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