Surf Add Speed To Lineup, Lose Two '07 Regulars
March 11, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release
Atlantic City, N.J. - The Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League have announced several roster moves:
- Outfielder Billy Kovatch has signed with the club. He played the 2007 season with Charlotte County of the South Coast League under current Surf manager Cecil Fielder, where he hit .299 with eight doubles and 20 RBI in 53 games. In addition, Kovatch finished fifth in the SCL with 22 stolen bases.
In 2006, he spent his first professional season with Yuma of the Golden League, putting together a .284 average to go along with 15 doubles and 16 stolen bases, also good for fifth in the league. The native of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., played collegiately at North Florida.
- The club has renewed the contract of lefthanded pitcher Donavon Hendricks. The Australian split the 2007 season between Atlantic City and Brockton of the Can-Am League, going 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 27 appearances with the two clubs, five of them starts. Hendricks had previously spent the 2004 through 2006 seasons in the Atlanta Braves' organization.
- Outfielder Lucas Taylor and infielder Josh Renick have retired. Taylor led the Can-Am League with 39 stolen bases and finished third with 72 runs scored in 2007, while hitting .267 and driving in 28. He played in 89 of the Surf's 92 games last season. Renick appeared in 77 games at second base and at shortstop for the Surf, hitting .220 with 12 doubles in his seventh professional season.
Taylor is retiring to start a church in his native West Virginia, while Renick will be taking a college coaching position in Florida.
"We're sorry to see Lucas and Josh leave, but we're happy to see them move on and start their lives outside of the game," Surf president Chris Carminucci said. "The return of Donavon Hendricks will help solidify our pitching staff, while Cecil Fielder spoke highly of Billy Kovatch during his time in the South Coast League."
The Atlantic City Surf open their 2008 Can-Am League home schedule on May 26 against the league's newest member, the Ottawa Rapids. Season and single-game tickets are available by calling the Surf ticket office at (609) 344-7873.
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Canadian American League Stories from March 11, 2008
- Surf Add Speed To Lineup, Lose Two '07 Regulars - Atlantic City Surf
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