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Vipers Slither to Scottdale

May 9, 2011 - North American League (NAmL)
Calgary Vipers News Release


The Calgary Vipers Professional Baseball Club are set to open up training camp on Thursday May 12th in Scottsdale, Arizona. For two weeks the team will hold daily workouts at the preseason home of the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. The Vipers have invited 30 hopefuls to spring training including 12 returning players with 23 spots available on the opening night roster.

Position player-wise 2009 Manager of the Year Morgan Burkhart has returned Medicine Hat's Drew Miller for his seventh season with the club. Another outfielder returning will be speedy Jonny Kaplan who scored a league high 85 runs last season. Returning from the 2009 Championship team will be infielder Wilver Perez who set a league record with 64 stolen bases last year. Fifth-year Viper Kevin Price also returns and is coming off a breakthrough season where he finished second in league on-base percentage at .485. Joining the familiar faces will be newcomer Jimmy Rohan who led the league last year with 125 hits. Coming over from Victoria is Brian Rios who will serve as a player coach and was named a league all-star last season. Also coming over from Victoria will be Matt Kavanaugh who had a breakout season himself last year with a .315 batting average. In the outfield Isidro Perez returns and posted an impressive .395 on-base percentage off the bench last year while former Long Beach State standout Sean Boatright returns to baseball after a four-year absence. Meanwhile behind the dish will be former Houston Astros 14th round pick Justin Tellam.

On the mound pitching coach Bobby Post welcomes back 2010 ace Dusty Gober who posted a 10-1 record last season. Newcomers to the starting rotation will be former Major Leaguer Troy Cate along with Manny Ayala who went 14-0 last year in Orange County. Garret Holleran also joins the staff and posted a 9-2 mark last season with the league champion Chico Outlaws. Returning is also veteran Mark Michael who struck out 56 batters in 58.2 innings last season. Returning to the bullpen will be closer Claudio Galva who set a franchise record for saves last year with 18. Also returning to the pen will be youngsters Rob Naegele and Dan Morari who posted earned run average's of 2.89 and 3.62 in their rookie campaigns a year ago. Scott Watson and Andrew DeMott also return with Watson striking out 36 hitters in 38.2 innings and DeMott coming back for a third year with the Snakes. Hard throwing right-hander Chris Bodishbaugh joins the team from Victoria where he had the league's fifth best E.R.A. at 3.30.

Calgary starts the 2011 regular season on the road in Yuma, Arizona on Tuesday May 24th with a double-header against Jose Canseco and the Scorpions.

The Vipers return to Calgary and Foothills Stadium for their home opener on Thursday May 26th at 6:30 PM MDT against their Alberta rivals, the Edmonton Capitals.

Season tickets, flex packs, mini packs, and individual game tickets are available for the 48 game Calgary Vipers' home schedule at Foothills Stadium (2255 Crowchild Trail Northwest, 403-277-2255, www.calgaryvipers.com).

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