Rinard & Thomas Join CornBelters
April 24, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Normal CornBelters News Release
NORMAL, Ill. - The Normal CornBelters, presented by Illinois Corn Farmers, have officially signed outfielder Bobby Rinard and catcher Michael Thomas. The CornBelters will play their first game of the 2012 season at the Corn Crib on Friday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. (CEFCU Opening Night).
Rinard was drafted by the New York Mets in the 43rd round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He played with the Staten Island Yankees (Class A-) in 2011. While there, he finished out the season with a .208 batting average and contributed 17 RBI and 22 runs in the season.
"Bobby is a player with great tools. He can run, throw, hit and play defense in any outfield position," said Field Manager Chad Parker.
Thomas was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft. He spent part of the 2009 season with the Lowell Spinners (Class A-) before moving to the Greenville Drive (Class A) later that same year. He stayed with the Drive for the 2010 season. In 2011, he split the season between the Ogden Raptors (Rookie) and the AZL Dodgers (Rookie) and finished as a pitcher with two wins, three losses, and a 4.58 ERA. He began spring training of this season with the Great Lakes Loons (Class A), pitching in ten innings throughout six games.
"Michael is a big, strong, athletic target behind the plate that can really catch and throw. We needed someone that has had some good experience defensively and he provides that for us," said Parker. "Due to his very strong arm, the Rangers tried to convert him into a pitcher last season, but really wants to catch again."
THE NIBLET: Did you ever dream of playing pro baseball? Here's your chance! Now through April 29, place bids on the CornBelters `Player for a Day' promotion and you may play during the May 10 exhibition game! See www.normalbaseball.com for more details.
Affordable ticket packages, and marketing opportunities, are available for the 2012 season and beyond. To make an investment, or for more information, simply contact the CornBelters at (309) 454-2255 (BALL), visit their website (http://www.normalbaseball.com) or stop by the Corn Crib administrative office during normal business hours. Stay social with the CornBelters at www.facebook.com/CornBelters and www.twitter.com/Normal_Baseball.
Frontier League Stories from April 24, 2012
- Evansville Otters Re-Sign Catcher Brett Chamberlain - Evansville Otters
- Rinard & Thomas Join CornBelters - Normal CornBelters
- Miners Return to Paducah for Annual Pre-Season Game - Southern Illinois Miners
- Lyndon Poole Signn with Wild Things - Washington Wild Things
- Schaumburg Boomers National Anthem Auditions Saturday May 12 - Schaumburg Boomers
- RiverHawks Add Three to Pitching Staff - Rockford RiverHawks
- Jim Tatum Joins Wild Things' Staff - Washington Wild Things
- Rippers Announce Spring Training Schedule - London Rippers
- Grizzlies Sign Left-Handed Pitcher Kolby Moore - Gateway Grizzlies
- Miners Team with the Rotary Club of Carbondale on Bike Helmet Give-Away - Southern Illinois Miners
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
