Paints unveil plans for 2009
Published on November 13, 2008 under Frontier League (FL)
Chillicothe Paints News Release
While it is normal to find the home offices of baseball teams relatively quiet this time of year, that's certainly not the case of the Chillicothe Paints.
Next year will be the Paints' 17th season of providing quality, family entertainment for all of southern Ohio to enjoy. One would think that the combination of an experienced staff, and the fact that the 2009 season is several months away, one might find a fairly laid back atmosphere at the Paints' downtown offices. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
As a matter of fact, the mixed emotions of excitement and relief have created a spirit among the Paints' employees that are certainly befitting of the upcoming holiday season.
What's causing all the excitement? In three words... "The Prospect League."
It was made official this week that Chillicothe is a member, along with 10 other teams, of the newly established Prospect League. Other teams will be located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Missouri and Illinois.
Frank Pergolizzi, former commissioner of the Central Illinois Collegiate League (CICL), and now commissioner of the Prospect League, commented, "The league's mission is to create and maintain the best collegiate wooden bat summer league in the country."
Paints' owner, Chris Hanners, promises not only a new league with new opponents, but more fun and excitement than ever before at V. A. Memorial Stadium, the home of the Paints.
"We're certainly proud and very glad to be in on the ground floor of something that we think is going to be a very strong league," stated Hanners. "This isn't just a one or two-year commitment. I hope it's here for a long, long time."
The Prospect League will be split into two divisions, the West and the East. The West Division will be comprised of the six teams from the former CICL, including Danville, IL, Springfield, IL; DuPage, IL; Quincy, IL: Hannibal, MO and Huntingburg, IN. Chillicothe, along with Lorain, OH; Richmond, IN; Butler, PA; and Slippery Rock, PA. will make up the East Division.
The Prospect League will play a 54-game schedule, beginning in early June and running through mid-August. The Paints' schedule will be released within the next couple of weeks, according to Paints' Vice President and General Manager, Bryan Wickline.
The teams will be made up of collegiate players from all over the country, many of whom will on the watch lists of Major League scouts.
"Overall, I think our fans will have the opportunity to watch more future Major League players than ever before playing right here in Chillicothe," added Hanners.
Frontier League Stories from November 13, 2008
- RiverHawks trade Anthonsen, Dutton - Rockford RiverHawks
- Paints unveil plans for 2009 - Chillicothe Paints
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