Northern League All-Star Rosters Announced

June 30, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release


JOLIET, IL-The roster are set for the 2009 Northern League Field of All-Stars Game presented by Farmers Insurance to be held next Tuesday, July 7 at 7:05 p.m. at Silver Cross Field. Manager Wally Backman (Joliet) of the Great Lakes All-Stars will manage a team comprised of Joliet, Schaumburg and Gary players against the Great Plains All-Stars and skipper Andy McCauley (Kansas City), who will field a team of all-stars from Kansas City, Fargo-Moorhead, and Winnipeg. The game will start at 7:05 p.m. with a pre-game home run derby and autograph session commencing shortly after the gates open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through the Silver Cross Field Box Office and by calling the JackHammers at 815-726-2255. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.jackhammerbaseball.com.

"It's an honor for me to manage the Great Lakes All-Star team," said JackHammers Manager Wally Backman. "I've managed all-star teams before and know how to put on a good show for the fans!"

The JackHammers have seven players selected to the Great Lakes All-Stars: SS Kevin Rios, 3B Andrew Pinckney, 1B Freddie Thon and C Phil Avlas earned selections. LHP Brad Mumma, RHP Rory Shortell and RHP Drew Shetrone were voted to the nine-man pitching staff. Mumma will be unable to participate, however, due to injury. The Schaumburg Flyers are most well-represented club on the Great Lakes All-Stars with 9 members in addition to the JackHammers' 7 players and 6 Gary SouthShore RailCats. Both the starting lineup and starting pitcher will be selected the individual managers as the game draws closer.

The Great Plains All-Stars feature 9 Winnipeg Goldeyes, 8 Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and 5 Kansas City T-Bones. Goldeyes SS Wes Long and 2B Josh Asanovich were voted as starters along with DH Juan Diaz, C Dustin Richardson and OF Dee Brown. Current Northern League ERA champ Ace Walker (1.53) is one of four Goldeyes pitchers along with RHP Matt Davis, RHP Bear Bay and LHP Aaron Odom.

The Redhawks have infielders SS Zach Penphrase and 1B Randall Simon earning spots. 3B Yurendell DeCaster was selected but had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees on Monday and will report to AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Kansas City C Craig Hurba will replace him on the roster. Jeremiah Piepkorn, Nic Jackson and Mike Coles represent the RedHawks in the outfield. RHP Gary Bakker, RHP Nicholas Fellman and LHP Broc Coffman are the F-M hurlers heading to Joliet.

The All-Star voting was conducted Northern League managers, veteran players, radio broadcasters and newspaper beat writers in Northern League cities.

Loose Gravel: Don't miss this spectacular one-day event at Silver Cross Field! All-Star ticket prices are as follows: Box Seat - $10.00 each and General Admission/Lawn Seats - $5.00 each. On the day of game, the prices increase to $11.00 for Box Seats and $6.00 for General Admission/Lawn Seat so be sure to get your seats early!

The JackHammers currently have pro-rated full season seats, mini-plan packages, various group outings, affordable marketing opportunities and individual game tickets available for the 2009 season. To invest, or for more information, please contact them TODAY at 815.726.2255 (BALL), visit their website (www.jackhammerbaseball.com) or stop by the Silver Cross Field Box Office during normal business hours.



Northern League Stories from June 30, 2009


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