Paints, Otters swap stars
July 21, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Chillicothe Paints News Release
In what may very well be labeled one of the biggest transactions in the Frontier League, for not only this year, but in the 13-year history of the league, the Chillicothe Paints and Evansville Otters agreed to terms Thursday afternoon in a stunning trade that involves two of the league's top performers.
Shortly after arriving in Evansville Thursday afternoon, Paints' manager Glenn Wilson announced that infielder Beau Blacken will be suiting up in the Otters' locker room and infielder Juan Downing will be wearing a Chillicothe road uniform.
"This was a very tough decision," said Wilson. "Beau is a great young man, but I felt we had to take some steps in another direction in order to have a chance of climbing back in the division race."
Blacken is currently batting .342 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 51 games. He was recently selected to play in the Frontier League All-Star game. In 2004, Blacken belted 19 round trippers, but struck out 104 times, while hitting .271. He had drastically reduced his strikeouts this season, whiffing just 36 times.
Downing, a switch hitter, is currently batting .371 with 11 doubles, three bombs and 26 RBIs in 30 games. He injured his shoulder on June 21st and did not return to action until July 11th. Since returning, he has hit safely in nine of 10 games. Downing has only gone hitless in five games all year.
Downing, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was used primarily as a third baseman by Evansville, but did play sparingly at shortstop and second base. Blacken has played first and third base for Chillicothe this year after holding down the leftfield spot in "04.
"I like the fact that Juan bats from both sides of the plate. Right-handed pitchers have been giving us a lot of trouble this year."
Frontier League Stories from July 21, 2005
- RiverHawks Sign Former L.A. Farmhand - Rockford RiverHawks
- Goldbach propels Otters - Evansville Otters
- Grizzlies win 10-inning thriller - Gateway Grizzlies
- Paints, Otters swap stars - Chillicothe Paints
- All-stars switch uniforms - Evansville Otters
- Roosters take on Freedom at McBride - Richmond Roosters
- Former Bobcat signs with Paints - Chillicothe Paints
- Casoli Tames Paints Hitters - Richmond Roosters
- Florence falls in heartbreaker to Ohio Valley - OSC Original by Andrew Kappes
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