Lucas Taylor returns for one more season
May 13, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release
Atlantic City, N.J. - The Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League have announced the signing of outfielder Lucas Taylor. Taylor, who also spent the 2007 season and part of 2003 in Atlantic City, had previously announced his retirement, but reconsidered and will play another year with the Surf.
Taylor appeared in 89 of the Surf's 92 games in 2007, all in the outfield. The Keyser, W.Va., native hit .267 with a league-leading 39 stolen bases to go along with six doubles and 28 RBI. He also finished third in the circuit with 72 runs scored.
The 27-year-old will be entering his sixth professional season, all of them spent in independent baseball. Previously, Taylor played the 2005 and 2006 seasons with Worcester of the Can-Am League, where he finished second in stolen bases both seasons, with 37 and 32, respectively. He also spent time in the Frontier League with River City and Mid-Missouri, and appeared in 13 games with the Surf in 2003, his rookie year. Taylor played collegiately at Chapel (W.Va.) College.
"Lucas retired over the off-season to start his own church at home in West Virginia. He's still committed to that goal, but he wanted to play one more season, and he'll continue to work on the church in the fall. He's a good player, and more importantly, a special person, and we're happy to have him back," Surf president Chris Carminucci said.
SURF MAKE TRAINING CAMP ROSTER MOVES
With training camp underway, the Surf have made several other transactions in order to stay within the league-mandated 28-man preseason roster limit.
- Infielder Billy Hogan and outfielders Josh Burrus and Jason Hurst have been added to the squad as non-roster invitees. Hogan, a former San Diego Padres' farmhand, spent the 2007 season with Anderson and Charlotte County of the South Coast League, where he played under new Surf manager Cecil Fielder and finished seventh in the league with a .312 average. Burrus was chosen in the first round of the 2001 draft by Atlanta, and reached as high as AAA in the Braves' system. Hurst also played for Fielder in Charlotte County in 2007, hitting .275 with 5 home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games.
- Catcher Wally Rosa has retired. The veteran played 62 games for the Surf in 2007, hitting .257 with 13 doubles and 34 RBI.
- Pitchers Dennis Robinson, Donavon Hendricks, Kyle George and Chris Perez have been released. Robinson, who spent the 2007 season with the defunct North Shore Spirit, was acquired in a trade with the Sussex Skyhawks. Hendricks split the 2007 season between Atlantic City and Brockton, going 1-0 with a 5.59 ERA in 16 appearances for the Surf. George spent 2007 with New Jersey and Brockton and was 2-5 with a 4.99 ERA. Perez played in the San Diego Padres' system in 2007, his first year as a professional.
- The club also released rookie infielder Zadoc Christensen and rookie outfielders Steve Wyland and Kwesi Mitchell.
MEET SURF PLAYERS AND COACHES AT UPCOMING EVENTS
There are several upcoming opportunities for fans and media to meet the team's players and coaches, including new manager Cecil Fielder, before the beginning of the regular season.
Training Camp "Meet the Players" Events Wednesday, May 14, 7:00 p.m.: Tailgaters Restaurant, 337 West White Horse Pike, Galloway Township Thursday, May 15, 7:00 p.m.: Chickie's and Pete's, 6055 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township Friday, May 16, 7:00 p.m.: Angelo's Fairmount Tavern, 2300 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City Sunday, May 18, 6:00 p.m.: Old Country Buffet, 2300 Wrangleboro Road, Mays Landing Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m.: Charlie's Bar & Restaurant, 800 Shore Road, Somers Point
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