North American League Holds Successful Tryouts
May 3, 2011 - North American League (NAmL) News Release
The NAL held tryouts last Sunday, with a total of 24 players signing professional contracts, including one with the Boston Red Sox as Canseco Picks 4 In First Move as a Manager
The North American League held tryouts last Sunday, May 1st, in Pasadena at Jackie Robinson Stadium adjacent to the Rose Bowl. NAL managers and scouts were very impressed with the level of talent available as every NAL team sent a manager, GM, or coach to evaluate the players. In addition, anticipating that the league would attract highly skilled players, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners sent scouts, and the Boston Red Sox sent their Vice President of Player Personnel Allard Baird. Baird, former Kansas City Royals General Manager from 2000 to 2006, immediately liked what he saw, signing Michael Olmsted, just the second pitcher of the day to take to the mound, to a contract. Olmsted, 23 is a big right hander, 6'7 and 275 pounds, who was a 9th round pick by the Mets in ¬Ë07 and then played in Japan last year for the Softbank Hawks. In addition, the Diamondbacks asked for more information on several players they will be following. Among NAL managers and coaches in attendance were recognizable MLB names including Yuma Scorpions manager Jose Canseco, Dodger All-Star Mike Marshall (Chico), Padre/Cardinal All-Star Garry Templeton (Maui), and ex-Toronto Manager Tim Johnson (Lake County).
"There were a number of talented kids there today, and Ozzie and I were impressed with the overall talent of the players," Jose Canseco said at the end of the day. "We were happy to find a couple of talented pitchers, a young catcher with extensive minor league experience, and a nice utility player who can play all over. We think those guys will really help us this season," Ozzie Canseco added.
The tryout went smoothly with 150 players in attendance and resulted in more contracts being offered than any of the professional independent league tryouts this year. The signing of a player by an MLB team at an independent league tryout is the first that can be recalled by the assembled managers and scouts.
MLB:
Boston Red Sox: RHP Michael Olmsted
North American League:
Calgary Vipers: RHP John Holtman, RHP Andrew Shive
Chico Outlaws: C/3B Al Quintana, RHP Johnny Membreno, RHP Ryan Screnar
Edinburg Roadrunners: LHP Sam Miller, C Nick Morreale
Lake County Fielders: INF David Hoffmire, LHP David Coulon, RHP Chris Gaudi, OF Luke Hetherington
Maui Na Koa Ikaika: RHP Kyle Cremers, SS Danny Dyer
McAllen Thunder: RHP Joseph Karlik, RHP Alec Lewis, RHP Sean Wileyman, LHP Steve Cerda, RHP Shane Foreman
Rio Grande Valley White Wings: RHP Blake Nation
Yuma Scorpions: RHP James Hoyt, OF/SS Ray Stokes, C Gabriel Ortiz, RHP Joaquin Lopez
North American League Stories from May 3, 2011
- Jose Canseco Wants You - Yuma Scorpions
- Scorpions Hold Open Tryouts, Benefit for St. Jude's - Yuma Scorpions
- North American League Holds Successful Tryouts - NAmL
- Roadrunners Add to Roster for 2011 - Edinburg Roadrunners
- WhiteWings Pick up Option on MVP - Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings
- Stampeders & Vipers Team Up - Calgary Vipers
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