Pitcher, Outfielder Added to Bears Roster
April 3, 2003 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Newark Bears today agreed to terms with Seton Hall product Damon Ponce Deleon, a right-handed pitcher and Al Benjamin, a veteran outfielder, team Vice President/General Manager Chris Bryan said. The two join a group of 14 that have previously inked with the defending Atlantic League Champs.
"Damon is a local guy who should help our pitching staff," Bryan said. "Al Benjamin will add experience and maturity in the outfield."
Entering his fourth season in professional baseball, Ponce Deleon returns to the Bears, the third team he played for in 2002. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cardinals in 2000, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder played for five Cardinal affiliates in two-plus seasons, striking out 109 and walking 40. For the Bears, the Demarest, N.J. resident went 1-0 in seven appearances out of the bullpen. As a member of coach Mike Shepherd's program in South Orange, Ponce Deleon etched in the Pirate record books ranking eighth all-time in career wins and 10th in all-time appearances. His 104.1 innings pitched and 15 starts in 2000 place him No. 2 on Seton Hall's single season charts in both categories.
The 25-year old Benjamin arrives in Newark to embark on his 10th season of professional baseball. A career .279 hitter, he was a 12th round pick of the Pirates ion 1995 and has spent time in the Expos' and Padres' chains in addition to his time with Pittsburgh. The Houston, Texas native has seen action in 643 games, with 49 home runs and 340 RBI's to his credit. Benjamin's best professional season came in 1999 as a member of Montreal's now-defunct affiliate in Cape Fear (N.C.) as he hit .322 in 488 at-bats hitting 10 home runs and driving in 77 runs.
The Newark Bears compete in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Atlantic League consists of eight teams in five different states and enters its sixth season of competition on May 1. The team will be holding its first annual Fan Fest this coming Saturday April 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Admission is free and the event, which will be held in conjunction with a Blood Drive and Open Tryout, is open to the public. Single-game tickets are already on sale. The Bears 2003 Schedule, Season Ticket Packages and Promotional Schedule for their Fifth Anniversary in the City of Newark have already been announced and can be viewed at NewarkBears.com. For more information please call 973.483.6900 or log on to NewarkBears.com.
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