Newark Bears Ready for Spring Training

April 30, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release


The Newark Bears are ready to roll right into Spring Training on May 6th in preparation for the regular season opener on May 17th. After months of painstaking work, the Bears has put together a solid team with a combination of local flare, major league experience and minor league experience. Headlined by the appointment of new manager Ken Oberkfell, the Bears enter 2012 with budding expectations. Oberkfell's success as a manager in both the minor leagues and in the Dominican Republic has attracted many players from around the area to come play for the Bears this season.

"A lot of players know Obie's background and want to come here," said Bears Senior Advisor Buddy Caruso. "Obie is an experienced guy who has won at every level of baseball."

Three coaches with major league experience; Oberkfell, Ralph Citarella, who is entering his first year as a pitching coach in professional baseball, and returning Tim Raines, who will serve as a Director of Player Development, the Bears will be the hottest team to watch.

Coach Citarella has been working with the likes of Mike Ness, and Brian Parker, helping both players developed into starters for the Bears rotation.

"So far they are all looking like a group that will compete; they all want the ball." Citarella said. "This is a great opportunity for me to get back into the game. I look forward to helping these young kids become better pitchers."

Ness, (Chatam, NJ) is a graduate of Duke University, and was part of the Tri-City Valleycats New York Penn League championship in 2010. Caruso says that Ness has a live arm and is projected to be the Bears number two or three.

As for Parker, he comes to the organization after spending four years in the Baltimore Orioles system, and after spending a lot of time traveling through the South and Virginia, Parker is excited to be in New Jersey. "The fans up here are very passionate about baseball." Parker said. Parker came to the Bears late last season.

Also, watch out for that Volkin pitch, which Parker developed in the last year! "It's a new pitch. After they took away my split finger fastball, I had to come up with something different. It's a great out-pitch," Parker said, as he flashed the Volkin sign. Another player to keep an eye on this spring is Sean "Soup" Campbell. Campbell who is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick is getting his first crack at professional baseball.

Offensively, the Bears welcome back Newark's very own Burt Reynolds. The home-grown product, who is the cousin of Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, is in his second year at Newark. He led the team with 13 homeruns last year, and will vie for an outfield position, and will serve as the back-up first baseman.

Daryl Ward, formally of the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs, returns to the Bears for the second straight season, and will be the teams' starting first baseman; his strong leadership will be a huge addition to a young clubhouse.

"You just never know when one of our players, or coaches, will get signed by a Major League team, which is exciting," Dronet added.

The Bears open up Spring Training on May 6th. Practices and preseason exhibition games are open to the public. Fans are encouraged to join the Bears on May 16th for their season opening picnic at 11am with the entire team on hand. The festivities begin at 10am with a live press conference followed by the picnic. For more information on this picnic and any other events, visit www.newarkbears.com

During spring training the Bears will play four preseason games, which also includes complimentary admission for any Bears 2012 exhibition home games.

Tickets for the regular 2012 season are also on sale now by calling the Bears at (973) 848-1000, email at info@newarkbears.com, or by visiting the website www.newarkbears.com .



Canadian American League Stories from April 30, 2012


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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