AtL Long Island Ducks

Kip Wells Signed

Published on July 13, 2010 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release


(Central Islip, N.Y., July 13, 2010) - Long Island Ducks team officials today announced the signings of former Major League pitchers Kip Wells, Justin Hampson, and Bill Simas. Wells and Hampson begin their first season with the Ducks while Simas joins the Ducks' roster for the third time in his career.

"We are extremely happy to add Kip, Justin, and Bill to our pitching staff," says Ducks manager Dave LaPoint. "All three have proven to be successful at the game's highest level."

Wells brings 11 seasons of Major League experience to Long Island. The righty split time during the 2009 season with the Washington Nationals and the Cincinnati Reds, combining for 33 appearances (seven starts) along with 72 and two-thirds innings pitched and 43 strikeouts. The Houston native has appeared in 289 Major League games (212 starts) and has posted a 67-99 record with a 4.71 ERA. Wells was originally drafted in the first round (16th overall) by the Chicago White Sox in the 1998 amateur draft.

Hampson joins the Ducks having played 10 seasons of professional baseball. The southpaw spent the 2006 season with the Colorado Rockies before pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2007 and 2008. The Illinois native has a 5-4 record with a 3.38 ERA over 79 games (one start) in the Majors. His best season came in 2007 with the Padres when he compiled a 2.70 ERA in 39 games. Hampson spent the 2009 season with Triple-A Sacramento in the Oakland Athletics organization and was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 28th round of the 1999 amateur draft.

Simas, who will continue to serve as the Ducks' pitching coach in 2010, will begin his 15th season pitching in professional baseball. The right-hander spent six seasons in the Major Leagues, all with the Chicago White Sox, and combined for an 18-19 record along with a 3.83 ERA, 23 saves, and 265 strikeouts in 308 appearances. The California native earned Atlantic League Closer of the Year honors with the Ducks in 2009 after leading the league in saves with 27. He also broke the Ducks' all-time saves record of 41, previously held by Todd Erdos. Simas was originally drafted by the Angels in the sixth round of the 1992 amateur draft.

In corresponding roster moves, Ducks' pitcher Rick Bauer has been released while pitcher Jerome Gamble has been placed on the inactive list.

Check out the Long Island Ducks Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2010


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.

OurSports Central