Outlaws obtain relief pitcher A.J. Ampi
Published on January 6, 2005 under Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Chico Outlaws News Release
CHICO, CALIF â The Chico Outlaws Thursday announced its first trade in franchise history. The Outlaws have acquired lefthanded pitcher A.J. Ampi (pronounced "AMM-pee") from the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League for a player to be named later.
"A.J. will give us some experience in crucial âlefty-lefty' situations," Outlaws manager Mark Parent said Thursday. "From what I've seen, he has the ability to give us quality innings at either the end of the game or as a starting pitcher. He'll show us where he fits in."
The 26-year-old Ampi, a native of nearby Red Bluff, California, returns to the North State after spending three seasons in Evansville. In 28 appearances last year A.J. posted a 5-3 record with one save and a sparkling 1.48 earned run average, striking out 24 in just over 30 innings of work. In 66 career games, Ampi has allowed just 15 earned runs in nearly 78 innings pitched (a 1.74 ERA) â and has yet to surrender a home run as a pro.
"I'm very excited about coming to Chico," Ampi said Thursday. "It's been about six years since I've been in uniform in northern California. Evansville was a great place to play and I learned a lot, but being able to have the family together while I continue playing is fantastic."
Ampi was a Frontier League All-Star in 2003, appearing in 31 games with a 2-2 record with one save and a 2.48 ERA. A.J. starred at Red Bluff High School, then went on to the University of Santa Clara, where he debuted as a freshman in 1998 against Stanford. Following his senior season with the Broncos, Ampi turned pro when he signed with Evansville in July, 2002.
Outlaws pitching coach Lance Franks is impressed with the team's new reliever. "My first thought was âwhy isn't this kid in organized ball?' I'm really impressed with his breaking ball. A.J. seems to be a hard worker and has a good head on his shoulders."
Ampi will be among 30 players vying for a roster spot when the Outlaws open spring training in early May in Surprise, Arizona.
About the Golden Baseball League: Presented by Safeway Inc.
The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway, is an independent professional baseball league operating under a single-entity ownership model, with the League owning all the individual teams. The Golden Baseball League charter cities include: Chico, CA; Fullerton, CA; Long Beach, CA; Mesa, AZ; San Diego, CA; Surprise, AZ and Yuma, AZ . In late November the GBL reached a joint operating agreement with the Tijuana (Mexico) Toros as the league's eighth charter team. The season will consist of 90 games per team and will begin in late May 2005 and end in early September 2005. Each team will have a 22 player roster. The Golden Baseball League office is headquartered in Pleasanton, CA.
For general information and/or ticket information, please visit the league web site at www.goldenbaseball.com or call the Chico Outlaws at (530) 345-3210.
About Safeway, Inc.
Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. The company operates more than 1,800 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $35.6 billion in 2003. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.
Golden Baseball League Stories from January 6, 2005
- Outlaws obtain relief pitcher A.J. Ampi - Chico Outlaws
- Golden Baseball League Begins Building its San Diego Team - San Diego Surf Dawgs
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