Northern League Newsletter

Published on July 1, 2009 under Northern League (NL) News Release

At the Halfway Point, Goldeyes Continue Wire-to-Wire Lead After having their Opening Night rained out, the Winnipeg Goldeyes began the season winning five straight games and have not looked back in the standings since. At the halfway point of the 2009 Northern League season, the Goldeyes continue to pace the league winning nearly 70% of their games. Meanwhile, the teams chasing Winnipeg have continued to jockey back and forth for the other three playoff spots. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Schaumburg Flyers, and Kansas City T-Bones have all held the second spot in the standings over the last month. Tied for the fourth and final post-season spot, the Gary-Southshore RailCats and Flyers are both 8.5 games off the pace. While the Joliet JackHammers sit only five and half games out of the playoffs, the other four teams are separated by just two games in the standings. ************************************************************************ Northern League Prepares for Mid-Season Classic - All-Star Rosters Announced The Joliet JackHammers will host the 2009 Northern League Field of All-Stars Game presented by Farmers Insurance on Tuesday, July 7th at 7:15 p.m. at Silver Cross Field. The game will feature the "Great Lakes All-Stars" (Joliet, Gary and Schaumburg) pitted against the "Great Plains All-Stars" (Kansas City, Fargo-Moorhead and Winnipeg). Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. as the action will be preceded by a home run derby competition and an on-field autograph session. Both of the all-star rosters were selected by voting from 54 ballots (nine per franchise). Each team was free to distribute their ballots to any/all of the following: manager, pitching coach, hitting coach, general manager, media director, broadcaster(s), hometown media, and players (Veterans/LS- 5/LS-4 only eligible players). Tickets for the game are on sale to the general public. Fans may purchase seats by calling the JackHammers directly at (815) 726-BALL or through the team's official website: www.jackhammerbaseball.com. ************************************************************************ Northern League Takes Over Per Game Attendance Lead of Indy Leagues Finishing a two-week span where the Northern League saw five of its six franchises gain in their per game attendance, the NL has moved past the Atlantic League for the lead. Averaging 4,153 fans per game, the Northern League bests the Atlantic's 3,947. The Winnipeg Goldeyes contiue to lead all indy teams with a 5,955 per game average. ************************************************************************ Winnipeg Goldeyes Looking to Welcome Four Millionth Fan The Goldeyes moved closer to welcoming their four millionth fan all-time as they sit just over 15,000 fans shy of the record mark. At their current pace, the Goldeyes should surpass the figure during their first homestand following the All-Star Break. Celebrating their 16th season in the league, the Goldeyes will become the only team to reach the four- million fan milestone in league history. ************************************************************************ Gary-SouthShore RailCats to Eclipse One Million Fans Only a little more than 6,000 fans short, the RailCats are set to welcome their one millionth fan in franchise history. The ‘Cats will eclipse the one-million mark over the Fourth of July holiday weekend as they play host to the RedHawks and Goldeyes for a total of six games. The RailCats are set to recognize their one millionth fan when they pass through the gates of U.S. Steel Yard. ************************************************************************ Northern League Alumni In the last two weeks, the Northern League has moved three players back to affiliated baseball. On June 19th , Goldeyes pitcher Daniel Haigwood was sold to the Oakland A's and was assigned to their Double-A af filiate in Midland (Texas League). On June 28th , the New York Yankees purchased the contract of RailCats pitcher Edwin Walker. Walker has been assigned to the Yankees Single-A team in Charleston (South Atlantic League). Lastly, on June 29th the Yankees purchased the RedHawks third baseman Yurendell DeCaster. He has been assigned to the their Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/Wi lkes-Barre (International League).

Alumni Notes: Travis Schlichting (Kansas City T-Bones) has been reassigned to the L.A. Dodgers Class AAA team in Albuquerque (Pacific Coast League)...The Philadelphia Phillies have re-acquired Brian Mazone (Joliet JackHammers) from the L.A. Dodgers. He is expected to join their Class AAA team in Lehigh Valley (International League)...Alberto Castillo (Schaumburg Flyers) was re- assigned to Class AAA Norfolk (International League) by the Baltimore Orioles.

Northern League Stories from July 1, 2009

• T-Bones Secure Sixth Straight Victory, 5-2 - Kansas City Monarchs
• RailCats Explode Early, Rout Fargo-Moorhead 13-6 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
• T-Bones Win in Joliet - Joliet JackHammers
• Huge Inning in Key Win - Schaumburg Flyers
• Goldeyes Drop Series Finale - Winnipeg Goldeyes
• DeCaster Named Player of the Month - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
• RailCats Overhaul Pitching Staff, Add Three Arms - Gary SouthShore Railcats
• Northern League Newsletter - NL
• RailCats to Collect for Soldiers During Fourth of July Game - Gary SouthShore Railcats
• Walker Earns League Honors - Winnipeg Goldeyes
• DeCaster and Walker Named Rawlings Northern League Player and Pitcher of the Month for June - NL
• Goldeyes Lose Long, Activate Metheny - Winnipeg Goldeyes

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