South Atlantic League Announces 2008 All-Star Rosters

Published on June 2, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1) News Release

ST. PETERSBURG, FL-Eric Krupa, president of the South Atlantic League, has announced the rosters for the 49th Annual SAL All-Star Game, scheduled to be played on June 17, 2008, at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, NC.

For the Northern Division, the Lake County Captains had a team-high five representatives, including the starting pitcher, Ryan Miller. Lakewood and West Virginia have four representatives each, with both teams providing two starters. Lakewood's Michael Taylor is in left field and Michael Durant is the designated hitter while West Virginia's Jonathan Lucroy starts at catcher and Lee Haydel is in center field.

Hickory and Hagerstown have three representatives each, and both teams also provide two starters. Hickory provides the left side of the starting infield with Jose De Los Santos (SS) and Bobby Spain (3B). Hagerstown starters include Bill Rhinehart (1B) and Michael Burgess (RF). Lexington has two representatives, including starting second baseman Matthew Cusick. The host club, Greensboro, has three representatives, all of them pitchers.

Lake County manager Aaron Holbert will skipper the Northern Division All-Stars. Holbert is in his first season as a manager after being the hitting coach in Billings, Montana last year. Holbert will be assisted by Greensboro manager Edwin Rodriguez, Delmarva manager Ramon Sambo, Lake County pitching coach Ruben Niebla, and Lake County hitting coach Jim Rickon. Greensboro's Julio Hernandez will serve as the team's trainer.

For the Southern Division, the Asheville Tourists had a league-high seven players selected to the all-star team, including five starters. Pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will be joined by Everth Cabrera (2B), Darin Holcomb (3B), Brian Rike (LF) and Michael Mitchell (CF). Greenville has four players on the roster, including starters Yamaico Navarro (SS) and Michael Jones (1B). Charleston also has four players on the squad, with Jesus Montero starting at catcher. Rome and Savannah have two players apiece, with Rome's Jason Heyward starting in right field and Savannah's Jordan Abruzzo named the designated hitter. Augusta and Columbus both have three players on the Southern team.

Asheville skipper Joe Mikulik will manage the Southern Division for the fourth time in his career. Currently in his ninth season at the Tourists' dugout helm, Mikulik also managed in the SAL All-Star Game in 2000, 2001 and 2007 and played in the game as a member of the Houston Astros' organization in 1985. Joining Mikiluk on the Southern Division coaching staff will be Charleston manager Torre Tyson, Augusta manager Andy Skeels, Greenville manager Kevin Boles, and Asheville pitching coach Doug Linton. Handling the trainer's duties will be Kannapolis's Chris McKenna.

Both all-star teams will be represented by 26 players, selected by the votes of the team's managers and coaching staffs, local media and front office executives. Greensboro will be hosting the SAL All-Star Game for the fourth time. Greensboro also hosted the game in 1980, 1982, and 1990. The annual SAL All-Star Game dates to 1960, when the All-Stars defeated the Salisbury club, 6-2, in Newton, N.C.

"Under the leadership of John Moss, this event has grown into an exciting event each year," said Krupa, who is in his first season as president of the league after taking over for President Emeritus John Moss, who served for 50 years and retired at the end of 2007. "The amount of talent that is showcased each year is tremendous, and this year continues that tradition. General Manager Donald Moore and his staff in Greensboro have been working for more than a year in order to live up to that tradition and host one of the great events on the baseball calendar."

A variety of events will be scheduled in Greensboro along with the SAL All-Star Game, including a Shindig and a luncheon in which the 2008 SAL Hall of Fame members will be inducted. The South Atlantic League will announce the 2008 Hall of Fame class on Friday, June 6.

South Atlantic League Stories from June 2, 2008

• BlueClaws stay hot with 8-7 win over Hagerstown - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Power Snap Home Losing Skid - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Drive Comeback Falls Short in Series Opener Versus GreenJackets - Greenville Drive
• Shorebirds Stop Captains 5-4 - Lake County Captains
• RiverDogs Win Sixth Straight, Burn Rome 5-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
• Tourists top 'Dads in series opener, 5-2 - Hickory Crawdads
• 'Birds Slip Past Captains, 5-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Not Intimidated - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Maday Works Career High In Augusta Win - Augusta GreenJackets
• Intimidators Open Series Against Grasshoppers With 7-1 Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Three Catfish Recognized as South Atlantic League All-Stars - Columbus Catfish
• 8th Inning Costs Catfish - Columbus Catfish
• Augusta Lands Three Pitchers on All-Star Team - Augusta GreenJackets
• Rome Braves Send Two Representatives - Rome Emperors
• South Atlantic League Announces 2008 All-Star Rosters - SAL1
• Abruzzo, Francisco Pena Named to All-Star Squad - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Rosters Set For South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Seven Tourists Players, Two Coaches Named to SAL All-Star Game - Asheville Tourists
• Tyson, Four Players to Represent RiverDogs at SAL All-Star Game - Charleston RiverDogs
• 38th Annual Irish Festival comes to FirstEnergy Park on June 14 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Jason Stephens Named SAL Co-Pitcher of the Week - Charleston RiverDogs
• BlueClaws host Hagerstown and Delmarva to close out first half - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Drive Partner with WMYA to Televise Games - Greenville Drive
• Catfish Hosting Pacelli High School Night - Columbus Catfish
• Catfish Seeking Group Support - Columbus Catfish

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