USA – The St. Paul Saints winningest pitcher of all-time, Charlie Ruud, was discovered during a tryout a few years ago. The Saints will be looking for the next hidden gem when they host their 2009 tryout on Thursday, April 30.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate, playing for a town ball team or recently played professional baseball, everyone is invited to Midway Stadium. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the tryout starting promptly at 9:00 a.m.

“I’ve seen some solid ballplayers with good skills at these tryouts,” said Saints manager George Tsamis. “This area usually produces some good talent with all the local colleges around. Even if we don’t sign them immediately, injuries do occur during the season and this is their chance to get noticed.”

Players should come baseball-ready (glove, baseball pants, cleats and wood bat) and will be allowed to show their skills at one position. Infielders will have a chance to field ground balls and show off their throwing arms in different defensive drills. Outfielders will get the opportunity to show their range on grounders and fly balls and to show off their arms as well. All position players will have the opportunity to take batting practice.

Pitchers will throw a side bullpen session while catchers will get behind the dish and show off their skills.

If the tryout is rained out it will be rescheduled for the next day, Friday, May 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m.

For more information about the tryout, please call 651-644-6659 or visit saintsbaseball.com.

WILLIE WILSON AND RON KITTLE JOIN LEGENDS GAME
The Rockford RiverHawks announced recently the latest additions to the Cubs-White Sox Legends Game featuring former Chicago baseball stars. Both were American League All-Stars in 1983. Wilson, the 1982 AL batting champion, finished his career with the Cubs. Kittle won the 1983 AL Rookie of the Year award as a member of the White Sox.

The RiverHawks will host the event as part of their two-day Frontier League All-Star celebration. The Legends Game is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 14 at Road Ranger Stadium. Tickets, which include admission to that night’s All-Star Home Run Derby, are $15 for infield and home-plate box seats, $10 for outfield box. A two-day pass, which includes admission to the July 15 Frontier League All-Star Game, is $25, $20 for outfield box.

Former Cub Bob Dernier and Steve Trout, who pitched for both Chicago teams, will be the team captains. Former Cubs Keith Moreland and Randy Hundley and former Sox Carlos May and Dan Pasqua are also scheduled to play. Additional stars will be announced as the event draws closer.

Wilson hit .332 for Kansas City to win the ‘82 batting title. It was also the first of consecutive All-Star seasons for the outfielder. Kittle hit 35 home runs and drove in 100 runs for the ‘83 Sox, who won the AL West. Kittle, who had three different stints with Chicago in his 10-year career, also played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.

FT. WORTH CATS SIGN PITCHER AND OUTFIELDER
The Fort Worth Cats have signed right-handed pitcher Dustin Cameron and outfielder Stephen Chapman to contracts for 2009.

Cameron, 27, was the closer for Pensacola in 2008, posting a 3-2 record with a 1.38 ERA and 14 saves. He finished the season by making 11 appearances for New Jersey in the Can-Am League before being traded to St. Paul following the season. He spent part of this spring in camp with the New York Mets.

Chapman, 23, hit 12 home runs and drove in 31 games in 89 games for Brevard County in the Florida State League in 2008. He finished fourth in the South Atlantic League in home runs with 24 in 2007 with West Virginia while driving in 89 that season. The year before, he batted .308 in 70 games with Helena in the Pioneer League.

Photo courtesy of williewilsonbaseball.org

Tags: Independent League