USA – The Long Beach Armada of the independent professional Golden Baseball League (GBL) have announced that they have agreed to terms with former Major League pitcher and Japan Professional Baseball (NPB) League superstar Hideki Irabu on a player contract for the 2009 season. Irabu became the greatest power pitcher in professional baseball history in Japan before coming to the U.S. in the mid 90s and winning two World Series titles with the New York Yankees.

“Hideki Irabu is a tremendous addition to our pitching staff,” said Long Beach Armada Manager Garry Templeton. “I’m looking forward to the skill, experience, and professionalism that a player of his caliber will bring to the club and believe that this will be a great place for him to demonstrate that he is ready to return to the top levels of the game here or in Japan.”

Irabu, 39, broke into professional baseball in Japan with the Lotte Orions in 1988 and became known as the hardest thrower and one of the most dominant pitchers in the league over the next eight seasons. His 98 mph fastball is still the fastest ever by a Japanese pitcher.

After the 1996 season, he became one of the early pitchers to move from the NPB to the Major Leagues in the U.S. as he joined the New York Yankees and won World Series rings in 1998 and 1999. He went on to pitch for the Montreal Expos and Texas Rangers during six seasons in the U.S. before returning to Japan where he joined the Hanshin Tigers and helped them to their first pennant in 20 years.

Knee surgery sidelined Irabu and he has spent the last two years re-habbing and getting back into pitching shape. Now healthy and with a fastball clocked at 92+ already this month, the fomer big leaguer is determined to show that he can once again contribute to the success of a MLB or NPB team.

“What a treat for our fans,” said Long Beach Armada General Manager Tony Soares. “Jet balloons, hachimakis, and sushi will all be available at Blair Field this year along with a chance to watch a true baseball superstar perform!”

Visit www.longbeacharmada.com for more Long Beach Armada news

KALAMAZOO KINGS TO HOLD TRYOUTS ON MAY 2
The Kalamazoo Kings will hold their annual open tryout on Saturday May 2nd at Homer Stryker Field. Registration will begin at 9:00 am with the tryout beginning at 10:00 am. Players can pre-register by downloading a form from www.kalamazookings.com and mailing it in.

To be eligible to participate, players must be twenty-seven years old or younger. The cost is $30 per person. Over the past three years, six players have been signed to contracts and invited to spring training. All players are expected to bring their own equipment.

A skills showcase will include the 60 yard dash, positional drills, batting practice, and bullpen sessions. This will be followed by an exhibition game among the remaining players.

The Kings are a part of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league.

For more information contact the Kings office at (269)388-8326 or via email at kalamazookings@kalamazookings.com.

Photo courtesy of blogs.weei.com

Tags: Independent League