Northern League & Golden League Partner For All-Star Game
December 9, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - A two year partnership has been struck between the Northern League and Golden League, thus pitting their league's best against each other in an All-Star game in 2010 and 2011. Officials from each league announced today at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis that the 2010 game will be held on July 14 at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona and at the Lake County Fielders Stadium in Zion, Illinois in 2011.
"As members of the Northern League, we are extremely excited about the announcement of this All-Star game partnership with the Golden Baseball League," said JackHammers General Manager Jamie Toole.
The GBL is comprised of ten teams from the Western United States including California, Arizona, Hawaii, and several from western Canada. Twenty players from those teams will go head to head against the twenty man roster of those selected from the eight Northern League teams.
The GBL and NoL are two of the most successful and heavily scouted independent leagues in the country and together had over 30 of their players from 2009 acquired by major league organizations. Of the seven independent minor leagues in the nation, they produced five of the top ten Baseball America Top Indy Prospects in 2009 including the first three spots, and also placed eight players on the Baseball America First and Second All Independent Teams. In addition, the Baseball America Independent League Player of the Year has come from one of these two leagues 7 of the 13 years the award has been in existence including two of the last three.
"This game will be the premier showcase for independent minor league talent and will be a treat for our fans," said Clark Griffith, Commissioner of the Northern League. "These will be fantastic events for the cities of Tucson and Zion, and we are thrilled that we have worked out such a great partnership with the Golden League."
LOOSE GRAVEL: The Joliet JackHammers 2010 Home Opener will be Friday, May 28th at 7:10pm against the Lake County Fielders, one of two Northern League expansion teams. Season tickets, group outings, and suites are available now.
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Northern League Stories from December 9, 2009
- JackHammers Give Back - Joliet JackHammers
- Northern League & Golden League Partner For All-Star Game - Joliet JackHammers
- RiverHawks announce exhibition series against Gary - Rockford RiverHawks
- RailCats Hitting Coach Kenny Graham Headed To Toronto Blue Jays - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- NoL and GBL Reach All-Star Agreement - Kansas City Monarchs
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