Veteran pitcher Prempas retiring
March 9, 2006 - Northern League (NL)
Schaumburg Flyers News Release
SCHAUMBURG, IL- As roster plans continue to take shape for 2006, the Schaumburg Flyers will enter the season with a familiar face absent from the roster. LHP Lyle Prempas, a veteran of four full seasons and one partial year with the Flyers, is retiring from professional baseball. The 31-year old southpaw spent nine seasons in pro ball and leaves as Schaumburg's all-time leader in pitching appearances. His total of 123 games pitched in a Flyers uniform is 28 ahead of the next closest pitcher on the list. Prempas is also among the team's career leaders in six other pitching categories including strikeouts (204-3rd), wins (13-5th) and innings pitched (294-3rd). "I'd like to thank Lyle Prempas for his professionalism and his willingness to do anything we've ever asked," said Flyers Manager Andy McCauley. "Starting, situational relief, closing out games, he was very versatile, which is a great trait for a left-hander on a 22-man roster. I'm happy for Lyle and wish him luck." Future plans for Prempas include a wedding date on June 10.
Prempas originally joined the Flyers for the club's 1999 inaugural season, appearing in 16 games before becoming the first Schaumburg player to leave for affiliated ball. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates organization on August 1, 1999. After a hiatus from baseball in 2000-01, the Chicago-area native returned to the Flyers in 2002 and spent the next four seasons in a variety of roles on the Schaumburg pitching staff. He made 16 starts in 2002 and then spent most of the next three years in the bullpen. Highlights included a nine-strikeout game vs. Joliet on August 4, 2005, a team record for strikeouts by a reliever in one game. The 6'7 lefty made a career high 35 appearances last summer. He also pitched in six Schaumburg playoff games in 2003-04.
In addition to his time in the Pirates farm system, Prempas pitched in the Milwaukee & Boston farm systems earlier in his career. Injuries cost him two full seasons in 1994 and 1998.
Prempas was also active in the community as a Flyer and participated in the Northern League's military goodwill trip to Germany in 2004. He played for all four Schaumburg managers and all three pitching coaches over the course of his tenure.
For ticket/promotional information on the May 18 Opening Night and other dates on the 2006 schedule, please call (847) 891-2255 or log on to flyersbaseball.com.
Notes: The Flyers have re-signed OF Ted Ledbetter for 2006...Ledbetter, 24, collected 2 HR-16 RBI in a reserve role last season...
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Northern League Stories from March 9, 2006
- Veteran pitcher Prempas retiring - Schaumburg Flyers
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