USA – The Pensacola Pelicans are pleased to announce they will be holding open tryouts for prospective baseball players on April 25, 2009. The tryout will be held at Jim Spooner Field at Pelican Park in Pensacola, Florida and are open to the public. The street address of the complex is 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32514.

This is the second open tryout by the Pelicans this year. The first tryout, held on March 21 was a success: following the tryout, the Pelicans signed 21-year-old Jody Finch.

Over the years the Pelicans have signed quality players from tryouts. Tim Dorn, Trino Aguilar, and Rusty Begnaud were signed out of a tryout camp and have been impact players for the Pelicans.

General Manager Talmadge Nunnari expects the tryout to reveal the talent of the area. “Pensacola and the entire Southeast region is a hotbed for baseball talent. The Pensacola Pelicans organization has sent 22 players to MLB-affiliated teams. I’m looking forward to evaluating the next crop of potential MLB players.”

Pelican tryouts have also led to contracts with Major League organizations. Edwar Ramirez (New York Yankees), Santos Hernandez (Philadelphia Phillies), Tim Dorn (St. Louis Cardinals), and Charles O’Neal (Florida Marlins) all attended Pelicans tryouts.

Former Pelicans standout Edwar Ramirez has been prominent in pin stripes. He is currently pitching for the New York Yankees. In 3 major league seasons Ramirez has compiled a 5.29 ERA in 81.2 innings while striking out 102.

Players who wish to attend the tryout are required to bring their own equipment and print, fill out, and return a registration form to the Pelicans office at 41 North Jefferson Street (Suite 300) in Pensacola, FL 32502.

The form can be found online at www.pensacolapelicans.com/tryouts.

SOUTHERN ILLIONIS MINORS ADD TWO PROSPECTS
The Southern Illinois Miners have signed another Cardinals prospect, right-handed pitcher Jameson Maj, as well as former Cincinnati Reds prospect Danny Zeffiro.

Maj (pronounced MAY) split last season between the Cardinals New York-Penn League affiliate in Batavia and Quad Cities of the Midwest League. Over his 16 professional appearances, he has an ERA of 4.11, striking out 56 over 61.1 innings and walking only eight. As a reliever he posted an impressive 2.34 ERA with 24 strikeouts and only one walk in 23 innings. Opposing batters hit just .166 against him.

Maj, 23, brought his pinpoint control from Abilene Christian University where he was a first team Division II All-American and Lone Star Conference South Division’s Pitcher of the Year in 2007. He tied the Division II saves record with 20. In 39 appearances he posted a 5-3 record with a 1.00 ERA while holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

Meanwhile Danny Zeffiro, 23, comes to the Miners following two seasons in the Cincinnati Red organization where he had time at Billings in the Pioneer League and Sarasota in the Florida State League. Over 34 appearances he carried a 4.46 ERA, striking out 59 in 72.2 innings and walking only 23. He held hitters to a .265 average against him.

The right-hander was signed by the Reds as a free agent after a phenomenal college career. In 2007 he helped led Kean (N.J.) University to a Division III National Championship, going 9-1 with a 1.66 ERA and earning first team All-American honors. He finished his career 28-8 with a 2.43 ERA and was the school’s leader in single season and career wins. Zeffiro also had 21 complete games. As a sophomore in 2005, he led the nation with a 0.90 ERA and shared Eastern College Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year honors with Miners teammate Joe Augustine.

Visit www.southernillinoisminers.com for more Southern Illinois Miners news

Photo courtesy of Pensacola Pelicans

Tags: Independent League