The United League will kick off its season at the end of the month, however there is still time to find a spot on a roster.

There will be a league wide tryout this weekend on Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12. It will take place at La Grave Field in Ft. Worth, Texas, home of the Ft. Worth Cats.

All league managers will be present with roster sports available for all teams. This is a great way to get exposure and find a spot on one of the teams final roster.

Included in the managers will be the Ft. Worth Cats Jim Essian, a former manager in the Chicago Cubs organization. Ozzie Canseco will also be in attendance as the manager of the Edinburg Roadrunners, and Chris Paterson, who was named to our Top 10 Independent League Managers in 2012, will manage the Rio Grande Valley White Wings.

The registration fee is $150 per player. Registration will start at 8am with the tryouts getting going at 9am.

The 2013 United League season will start May 23rd as Ft. Worth, Rio Grande Valley, and the newest team Alexandria will host their season opener.

For more information, please contact Ron Mondragon at (817) 726-0248 and via Email at rod.mondragon@fwcats.com

We have finished looking at the international players on the bottom half of the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List. Today we start in on the Top 50.

In case you missed one of the other posts, there are here:

#51-60 International Players

#61-70 International Players

#71-80 International Players

#81-90 International Players

#91-100 International Players

Yasiel Puig, of, LAD – #47

Yasiel Puig hails from Cienfuegos, Cuba having defected in 2012. He is still young, 22, and has a lot of upside yet a lot to prove.

He missed the entire 2011-2012 season in Cuba (it runs during the winter months) after being suspended for trying to defect after playing at the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands. He didn’t sign until late June of last year so he has only a little time in the minors here.

However, this year he started out at Double-A Chattanooga where he has done quite well in just 14 games. So far this year he has hit four home runs and posted a line of .333/379/.648 so far.

He has good speed and shows good instincts but needs to work on his route running a bit. He is still young and learning while becoming acclimated to the US. He has a strong arm and has even drawn comparisons to the likes of Matt Kemp on his athletic ability.

Julio Teheran, p, ATL – #44

Julio Teheran, from Cartagena, Colombia, is no stranger to the Baseball America Top 100. This is his fourth year on the list dropping considerably after a poor 2012 season. After both the 2010 and 2011 seasons, he was ranked as the #5 prospect in all of baseball.

Teheran had a break out year in 2011 posting a 15-3 mark with an ERA of just 2.55 at Triple-A. He got his first taste of the big leagues that year but struggled a bit. His ERA ballooned to over five in 2012 in Triple-A, but has shown flashes of brilliance.

In 2013, Teheran has started the year as the Braves 5th starter and has had an up and down season already. He has the stuff to be a top of the line starter, but hasn’t shown the consistency at the MLB level so far.

Hyun-jin Ryu, p, LAD – #42

Ryu comes from Incheon, South Korea and has been pitching in the Korean Baseball Organization for the past few years where he has been a star. In 2010, he posted a 16-4 record with a 1.82 ERA for one of the worst teams in the KBO, the Hanwha Eagles.

The Dodgers won the bidding for Ryu this past offseason and have already put him into the starting rotation where he hasn’t disappointed. So far in 2013, he is 2-1 with a 3.45 ERA in five starts.

Ryu won’t overpower you with a 95+ mph fastball, but he knows how to pitch and has a good assortment of pitches that he can control. Look for him to be a solid #3 or #4 for years to come with the possibility that he could even become a #2 starter down the line with some more experience.

He is just 26-years old and signed a six-year contract, so the Dodger will control him during his most formidable years.

Oswaldo Arcia, of, MIN – #41

Oswaldo Arcia signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2007 out of Anaco, Venezuela. He has since worked his way up to a call up from the big league club earlier this season.

He started 2013 in Triple-A and simply dominated in the short time he was there hitting .394 with three home runs in ten games. Since being called up, Arcia has hit a pair of home runs in ten games.

Scouts love his bat and see him evolving into a 30-doubles and 20-homer guy down the line.

It’s unclear how long he will remain in the big leagues, but it appears clear that while he is there, he will play.

I know we are a month into the season, but that doesn’t change the fact that these guys are still prospects. So we continue our look at the international players on the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List.

We have looked at the following already:

#61-70 International Players

#71-80 International Players

#81-90 International Players

#91-100 International Players

Now we take a look at #51-60

Gary Sanchez, c, NYY – #57

Gary Sanchez hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and is high on the prospect list for the New York Yankees ranking #3 after the 2012 season. The 20-year old catcher has drawn a lot of praise for his defensive abilities behind the plate.

Sanchez has shown some power hitting 18 home runs a year ago splitting time between Low and High-A ball. He has had a good start to the year so far in Single-A Tampa in the Florida State League getting on base at a .356 clip and smashing four home runs in the first 17 games.

Over his career he has thrown out 30% of would be base stealers. Look for him to make the move to Double-A at some point this season, and he could make his MLB debut in 2014 or 2015 if he continues to develop.

Gregory Polanco, of, PIT – #51

Polanco is also out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The  21-year old outfielder had a breakout year in 2012 posting a line of .325/.380/.455 while hitting 16 home runs and stealing 40 bases.

He finished the 2012 season in Low-A ball and was moved up to High-A this season where he is still hitting. So far through 23 games, Polanco is hitting at a .318 clip and has stolen nine bases.

If he continues this pace, he might earn a promotion to Double-A Altoona later in the year. After the 2012 season, Baseball America rated him as the best athlete, best defensive outfielder, and the best hitter for average in the Pittsburgh system.

Coming up tomorrow, players #41-50

With the success of the Texas Winter League, the United League has decided to start the Texas Summer League this July.

The league will give players an opportunity to develop their skills and get instruction from professional independent managers and coaches. So if you are looking to break into the professional ranks and maybe you were overlooked or you just graduated from college, this could be the perfect place for you to get noticed.

The league will run from July 15 to August 7 and at the end of the league the top 5 or 10 players will be selected and placed on a professional team for the final two weeks of the season. All games will take place in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

This is a great way to get started in professional baseball.

For more information visit Texas Summer League

The Texas Summer League is the only league-sponsored summer developmental baseball league. This allows the league to assure the players drafted that they will be added to one of the United League rosters.

The Rio Grande Valley White Wings have announced the hiring of manager Chris Paterson for the 2013 United League season.

Paterson has spent the past three seasons managing in the Pecos and Continental Baseball Leagues garnering a pair of manager of the year awards in two different leagues. In 2011, Paterson led the Roswell Invaders to the inaugural Pecos League title. He has also managed in the Arizona Winter League, the California Winter League, the Pecos Spring League, and recently the Texas Winter League.

Paterson played his collegiate years at North Dakota State University where he threw five innings of a combined no-hitter against Creighton in 2008. After graduating, Chris played in several independent leagues before taking his talents overseas.

Overseas Chris played in professional leagues in Germany, Italy, France, and Australia where he maintains many contacts.

While managing, Paterson has also served as a scout for the Tampa Bay Rays and now the Miami Marlins.

Last year, we named Chris to our Top 10 Independent League Managers. He came in at #9 and was one of the youngest managers in the game.

Paterson and the White Wings kick off the season on May 23rd at home against the San Angelo Colts.

White Wings Press Release

The Edinburg Roadrunners of the United League Baseball have announced its manager for the 2013 season in Ozzie Canseco.

Ozzie Canseco is a former Major League Baseball player with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. In addition, he has played professional in Japan and Korea.

Canseco was drafted in 1983 in the second round by the New York Yankees as a pitcher. He would transition to a fielder and make it to the big league in 1990 with Oakland.

In 2000, at age 35, Canseco set the Atlantic League home run record when he clubbed 48 for the Newark Bears.

The Roadrunners will look to defend their 2012 championship starting May 23rd against the Ft. Worth Cats. Edinburg will play an 80-game schedule against five other ULB teams including the Cats, Rio Grand Valley White Wings, San Angelo Colts, Alexandria Aces, and Texas Thunder.

You can find more information about the Roadrunners by visiting www.RoadRunnerBall.com.

Want to play professional baseball? Here is your chance.

The Rio Grand Valley White Wings of the United Baseball League (formally the North American League) will be hosting a tryout.

The tryout will take place in San Bernardino, California on Sunday April 28th at 10 am. Players can check in at 9 am.

Professional coaches, along with MLB and independent leagues scouts, will be on hand looking to sign players for the 2013 season.

Players will run the 60, take batting practice, throw from the field, and take ground balls and fly balls. Pitchers will throw live and be put on the radar gun.

Selected players may be asked to stay for additional stuff. Players should also bring their own equipment.

Cost is $60 and can be paid at the time of registration. Players will also be asked to sign a liability waiver.

Location:
La Sierra University
4500 Riverwalk Pkwy, Riverside, CA 92505

The United Baseball League will feature six teams in the 2013 season playing in Texas and Louisiana. You can find out more information about the tryouts on Facebook where you can ask questions if needed.

Or you can email the White Wings manager Chris Paterson at ChrisPaterson12@usa.com

Updated: Date and Location changed

Before the World Baseball Classic we took a look at some of the international players on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospect List. If you missed those, you can find #’s 91-100 here and #’s 81-90 here. Today we pick up where we left off with #’s 71-80.

Didi Gregorius, ss, ARI – #80

Hailing from Amsterdam, Gregorius was signed out of the Netherlands in 2007 as a free agent by the Cincinnati Reds. At age 18 in the Gulf Coast League, he hit just .155 in 97 at bats, but he didn’t give up there and last season got a taste of the Major Leagues.

He is a defensive middle infielder who was ranked at the #5 prospect in the Diamondbacks organization after the 2012 season. He was a part of the three team deal that saw the Reds, Indians, and Diamondbacks swapping players in December 2012. He is considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the game. It looks as though he will start the year at Triple-A Reno, but look for him to make an impact very soon at the big league level.

Luis Heredia, rhp, PIT – #78

Heredia, who was born in Mexico, is only 18 years old. He pitched the 2012 season in short-season A ball in the New York-Penn League for State College. In 14 starts Heredia was 4-2 with a 2.71 ERA.

Heredia signed in 2006 as a non-drafted free agent receiving a huge $2.6 million bonus from the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has a huge frame at 6′ 6″ and 205 lbs, but he is still growing physically at only 18 years old.

He throws hard reaching 96 on the gun, but usually sits in the low 90s. He has good control so far, but he is still young and working on improving not only his fastball but his secondary pitches as well. He has huge upside, but only time will tell.

Look for him to start the year in Low-A ball with the possibility of moving up depending on his results.

Marcell Ozuna, of, MIA – #75

Ozuna, a power hitting outfielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, blasted 24 long balls in 2012 in High-A Jupiter in the Florida State League. He also exhibits another sought after trait for an outfielder, speed. He stole 17 bases in 2011 and covers a lot of ground in the outfield. Another tool he has is a strong arm. He has been rated with the best outfield arm in the Marlins system the past three seasons.

However, Ozuna will need to identify pitches better if he wants to continue up the ladder. He has strikeout totals of 116 and 121 the last two seasons, but he is still learning. One thing is for sure, when he hits the ball he hits it with authority.

Look for the 22-year old to spend most of the season in Double-A Jacksonville for the Marlins. He is the Marlins #5 prospect.

Avisail Garcia, of, DET – #74

The 21-year old outfielder from Venezuela got a taste of the big leagues last season with Detroit making the jump from Double-A Erie. And when he got the call, he excelled. In 23 games, he hit .319 in 47 at bats.

He is a solid defensive outfielder with a good arm. Baseball America rated him as the best outfield arm in the Tigers farm system the past two seasons. He has some power and speed and could turn into quite a threat in the Tigers lineup.

Look for Garcia to start the year in Triple-A. A heel contusion put him on the DL a few days ago, so he is a long shot to make the Opening Day roster.

Next up we will take a look at the international players from #61-70.

Last time we took a look at #91-100 on the Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List which featured three international players. Today we take the next step down the list with #81-90.

Hak-Ju Lee, ss, TB – #90

Born in South Korea, Lee was signed as a free agent by the Cubs in 2008. He was later traded to Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Matt Garza to the Cubs.

Lee spent the 2012 season in Double-A Montgomery where he put up solid numbers, but the slipped a bit as he moved up against tougher competition. This is his third time on the Top 100 List starting at #92 in 2011. He then jumped up a lot after a nice 2011 season to #44 before falling back to #90 this year.

Lee has a lot of speed stealing 37 bases in 2012 in Double-A and hitting 10 triples. His on-base-percentage fell quite a bit this past season as his strikeout numbers jumped to over 100, but look for him to settle in with more at-bats against the higher competition. He is a plus defender at shortstop and has consistently been ranked among the top Rays prospects for the past couple seasons.

James Paxton, lhp, SEA – #87

Paxton hails from Canada but played his college ball at the University of Kentucky. He is a hard throwing lefty who has averaged more than a strikeout per inning over his brief career. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2009, Paxton didn’t sign and elected to return to school. However, the NCAA deemed him ineligible due to his contract with agent Scott Boras. Instead, he signed with the independent Grand Prairie Airhogs before being drafted again in 2010. This time he was drafted in the 4th round by Seattle and signed.

In his first season of affiliated ball, Paxton struck out 131 batters in 95 innings. He spent all of the 2012 season at Double-A Jackson where he posted a line of 9-4/3.05 in 21 starts. He throws hard and has a good breaking ball, but like many young pitchers can struggle with his control at times. In 2012, he walked 54 batters in 106 innings. Look for him to get a little more seasoning in the minor leagues this upcoming season.

Yordano Ventura, rhp, KC – #85

This is the first appearance on the Top 100 for Ventura who hails from the Dominican Republic. While Ventura may be small in stature, 5’11″ and 150 lbs, he has shown a live arm and the ability to get hitters out.

Ventura spent 2012 split mostly between Single-A and Double-A, but he posted good numbers at both. In 109.1 combined innings he struck out 130 batters. After his move up to the higher level he struggled a bit, but he is still only 21. For the past two seasons he has ranked #1 in the Kansas City Royals organization for the best fastball.

He will need more seasoning in the minors, but he could have a big future ahead of him, especially if he harnesses that fastball and learns to throw more strikes.

Arodys Vizcaino, rhp, CHC – #83

Vizcaino is no stranger to the Top 100 List as this is his fourth appearance on it. Out of the Dominican Republic, he was once a top prospect with the Yankees and then Atlanta.

He is still  young at only 22, but he has has injury problems. He had Tommy John surgery in March of 2012 and missed the entire season. He has a great fastball, once clocked at 101 mph, and has had a top rated curve ball in every minor league system he has been apart of.

In 2011, Vizcaino got a taste of the big leagues pitching in 17 games for the Atlanta Braves. While he struggled with his control at times (he walked 9 in 17 innings), he also showed how he can be overpowering striking out a batter per inning.

He will look to come back from injury this season and reclaim the form that made him one of the top prospects. He has a strong arm, is still very young, and with some time already in the big leagues he will look to eventually help the Cubs at the big league level sometime in the near future.

Martin Perez, lhp, TEX – #81

Perez comes out of Venezuela and is a highly thought of pitching prospect for the Texas Rangers. At the age of 21, Perez got a taste of the big leagues making six starts in Texas and getting into six other games in relief.

Perez has been talked about for several years now within the Rangers organization. He is a left-handed pitcher with good off speed stuff having ranked at the top of the Rangers minor league system as having the best curve ball and change up and one point or another. His biggest problem it seems so far has been control. He has continually walked more than three batters per nine innings pretty much everywhere he has gone. He is not going to blow hitters away and rack up strikeouts, so he has to learn better control.

Perez has a shot at the Rangers rotation this year if he can come away with a big spring. The team is hurting for starters as a few of their regulars are on the DL with injuries to start the season. He could just make it in as the number five starter if he pitches well enough.If not, look for him to start the year in Triple-A Round Rock.

Next up we will take a look at the international players from #71-80.

Today we start a series taking a look at the international players on the Baseball America 2013 Top 100 Prospects List. Today we will take a look at the bottom 10 of the list from 91-100 and see which players were born and raised internationally.

So here we go with the first few:

Leonys Martin, of, TEX – #97

Martin was born in Cuba and signed by the Texas Rangers in 2011 as a free agent. He has been a top prospect in the minors for a few years now appearing on the 2012 edition of the Top 100 the previous season at #79.

He has spent two seasons in the Rangers farm system and has had a little taste of the Major League level as well. In the minor leagues he has done quite well. In 124 games, at all levels, he has hit .323 with 16 home runs and 29 stolen bases. However, he has struggled in his short time at the MLB level. He has appeared in 32 games garnering 54 at-bats hitting just .204.

The upcoming season could be huge from Martin though. With the absence of Josh Hamilton in the Rangers outfield, Martin looks to get a lot of playing time perhaps in a platoon with Craig Gentry in center field. He will get a lot of playing time this spring as they will look for him to be a contributor at the big league level.

Bruce Rondon, rhp, DET – #95

Bruce Rondon is from Valencia, Venezuela and was signed by the Detroit Tigers as a non-drafted free agent in September 2007.

This is the first time Rondon has cracked the Top 100 List, but he is only 22. Last season he pitched at High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A doing quite well at all levels. He is a closer in the minor leagues already picking up 65 saves in five years in the minor leagues. In 2012, he picked up 29 saves in the minor leagues. He is a strikeout pitcher averaging more than one per inning in his career so far, but he has had control problems in the past walking 5.10 per 9 innings over his career.

He has a lot of upside and his future is now. The Tigers didn’t resign closer Jose Valverde and are looking for Rondon to open the season as the Detroit Tigers closer if the passes the audition this spring.

Daniel Corcino, rhp, CIN – #94

Corcino is from Azuna, Dominican Republic and enters the 2013 season at only 22 years of age. He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a non-drafted free agent in January 2008.

After spending three seasons in Rookie ball or at the Low-A level, Corcino was moved to a starting pitcher and really took off. In 2011, he spent the year at the Low-A level and pitched well for Dayton going 11-7/3.42 in 26 starts. He made the jump to Double-A Pensacola last year and pitched just as well. In 26 starts, Corcino went 8-8 with a 3.01 ERA over 143.1 innings.

Like a lot of young pitchers he has struggled at times with his control. Over his minor league career he has averaged 3.48 walks per 9 innings. He can miss bats at time as well with his career 8.65 strikeouts per 9 innings.

He will once again get to face advanced hitters at either the Double-A or Triple-A level for 2013 to see if he can continue his success and move further toward a spot in the Cincinnati rotation.

Next up we will take a look at the prospects from 81-90.

The Indy League merry-go-round continues as the Pacific Association has announced a new franchise to replace the league’s travel team.

The Vallejo Admirals will take the place of the traveling Sonoma County Grapes. The new team will play at Wilson Park which will receive a facelift.

The team is owned by Redwood Sports and Entertainment, which also owns the San Rafael Pacifics and the Sonoma County Grapes. The group will look for a permanent home for the Grapes for the 2014 season in hopes of having a six team league.

The Pacific Association was formed this offseason after the North American Baseball League folded. The teams that make up the PA were the Northern Division of the NABL in 2012.

In the ever changing and exciting world of independent baseball, the American West Baseball League (AWBL) has announced its plans to expand into Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Las Cruces had an independent league team in the Pecos League the past few seasons in the Vaqueros. However, this winter the Pecos League announced it would pull the team out of Las Cruces with the impending AAA team headed to El Paso which is just a short drive away.

The thought behind the move was that the small independent league team couldn’t compete with the AAA team with advertisers thus making the team economically unviable.

The AWBL has already seen some turmoil before playing its first game. The league was slated to have four teams, but before the first pitch was thrown the Yuma franchise pulled out of the league.

One team slated to play in the league will play at a local university where the field has no lights. There was to be a winter program in Yuma, but the league canceled it “due to lack of interest”.

So what does a league do with more problems than teams? Create a franchise two states over when travel is a huge part of the expenses of independent teams. It just doesn’t seem to make much sense. Then again I don’t run a league.

It remains to be seen if the league will actually get off the ground in 2013 or hold off due to internal issues for the 2014 season. No matter what happens, its been interesting so far, and should continue to be so.

As we predicted in December, the Pecos League has dropped two teams prior to the start of the 2013 season.

The league had hoped to start the new season with 10 teams, but instead will be going with 8.

The Pecos Bills will be dropped from the league with the possibility of them coming back for the 2014 season. The league was relying on Reeves County to move forward with plans to move lights at Martinez Field, but they did not more forward on a motion for the lights.

The county might approve the motion in February, but that is too late for the league who will start their spring training in early May.

Another issue was that of the oil boom that is going on in the area that is taking up all of the housing. It was brought into question where the league would house players with the housing shortage that is occurring with the oilfield boom.

With Pecos dropping out for 2013, the league will also drop the Carlsbad Bats who were slated to be a travel team for the 2013 season.

Ryan Parent was slated to manage in Pecos. He has since accepted an open coaching position with the Trinidad Triggers. The Triggers and Bills will be merging rosters with 30 players from the two teams becoming free agents.

In addition, Taos will move to the Southern Division to even out the schedule with each division having four teams apiece.

Everyone involved is still hopeful that the Bills will be back for the 2014 season including Pecos League Commissioner Andrew Dunn.

The Abilene Prairie Dogs will not return to the field for the 2013 season.

The team played the 2012 season in the North American Baseball League’s United Division.

The team played at McMurry University where alcohol was not allowed to be sold at games. This put added strain on the team’s finances and without an agreement in place to build a new stadium, the team decided to cease operations for the 2013 season.

League officials have stated that there is a possibility the team will return for the 2014 season. This will give the league and city time to perhaps work out an agreement for a new home for the Prairie Dogs.

It is still up in the air what will become of the old North American Baseball League. The northern division of the 2012 league split off to for m the Pacific Association. The United Division will likely remain under the NABL name or go back to the United Baseball League name it was under before its merger.

With Abilene out in 2013, the league options are still unclear. The league might start a new franchise in either Brownsville, Tyler, or Del Rio but nothing has been stated publicly.

The league is running the Texas Winter League which starts in a few days, and I would suspect more announcements in the coming days about team locations for the 2013 season.

The American West Baseball League had a setback this week as the Yuma Desert Rats elected to pull themselves out of the league.

Yuma was going to be apart of the inaugural American West Baseball League season in 2013. The league was slated to have four teams including Yuma, Fullerton, San Diego, and Orange County.

The league is rumored to be full of potential issues including one stadium with no lights, and others in financial problems.

It is still uncertain if the league will move forward for 2013 or postpone a year to get some of the issues resolved.

Here is the press release issued by Yuma:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Part 1/1 January 24, 2013

Yuma Desert Rats Withdraw from American West Baseball League

YUMA, ARIZONA – Tim Ferguson, owner of the Yuma Desert Rats announced today that the team has elected to immediately remove themselves from the American West Baseball league. The Desert Rats were set to be part of the inaugural season of the AWBL a four-team independent minor league with teams in Fullerton, San Diego, Orange County, and Yuma. Desert Rats Owner and President Tim Ferguson said, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the Yuma Desert Rats will not be playing in the AWBL this season. We believe it is in the best interest of our fans, the City of Yuma, our corporate partners and sponsors to take some time to explore the best way that we can add value to the Yuma community through the game of baseball.”

While minor league baseball is at an all time high in attendance across the nation, hopes are high that the team will be able to continue to grow its fan base, build its corporate partnerships and community outreach programs while continuing to rebuild a foundation for professional baseball in Yuma. “There have been tremendous strides made towards bringing professional baseball back to Yuma. With more time to prepare, we feel that we will be able to sell a significant number of season tickets which will in turn attract even more community partners and sponsors. It also allows us to solidify our position within the local youth and amateur baseball programs in Yuma. We also think it will give us the proper time to find a suitable successor league which will provide the stability to create several much-needed business and support functions at the team level” added Ferguson. Because of a non-disclosure agreement, Ferguson is not able to release any other details regarding his decision to withdraw from the AWBL.

The team ownership went on to state “we would like to thank the community for welcoming myself and my family to Yuma. We remain committed to bringing baseball back in the very near future. We thank our staff, city officials and player participants in the AWBL league tryout for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank the many individuals who have helped me navigate this very difficult decision. We look to continue with you all as we look towards a strong and prosperous future within the game of baseball”. Said Ferguson.

The Pecos League will try a new approach to their annual All-Star Game. Instead of dividing the teams up by divisions or geographically, it will divide them up by bat manufacturer.

Each team in the Pecos League is sponsored by one of two bat manufacturers, Max Bats and Rawlings. The teams will be named accordingly – Team Max Bat and Team Rawlings.

Splitting up the game this way will also have the leagues rivals pitted against one another.

The Santa Fe Fuego will host the All-Star Game at Fort Marcy Park on July 6^th.

The new independent league based in the Western United States, the Pacific Association, has released its new logo.

The league will consist of four teams. Two of them will be based in California in the San Rafael Pacifics and the Sonoma County Grapes, who will be a traveling team. The other two teams are based in Hawaii.

The four teams made up the North American League’s North Division in 2012, but with the league falling apart they have branched out and started their own league.

Each team will play a 78 game schedule including interleague games with other independent leagues.

As we reported in December, the North American League teams will be splitting up into new associations.

The first to announce is the new Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs.

The San Rafael Pacifics announced the creation of the new league that will consist of the teams from the old North American League North Division including the Sonoma County Grapes (a traveling team owned by the same group as the Pacifics), the Hawaii Stars, and the No Koa Ikaika Maui.

The two California teams will also play 24 interleague games with Arizona’s Freedom Pro League with both teams traveling to Arizona before hosting games in California as well.

The two teams from Hawaii will play interleague games as well. However, they will play games with the independent Baseball Challenge League of Japan.

Each team will play a 78 game schedule in 2013.

Former manager of the San Rafael Pacifics, and former Major-Leaguer, Mike Marshall has been announced as the leagues new commissioner.

As for the United Division of the old North American League, the Texas based teams are expected to form their own association. At this time it is unclear if they will return to the United League name, or keep the North American League name in some for or fashion. Look for more info on this later this month.

Adam Greenberg, who finally got his one at bat in October, has signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

On July 9, 2005, Greenberg – then a prospect with the Chicago Cubs – was hit in the head on the first first pitch he saw. He never made it back to the big leagues until last October. The hit-by-pitch took its toll on Greenberg who suffered a concussion, vision problems, and headaches. It took him almost two years to regain his full health.

Earlier this year Greenberg, 31, played for Team Israel after sitting out the 2012 season. Previously, he had spent a few years in the Atlantic League with the Bridgeport Bluefish. His last season in organized ball was in 2007 with the Arkansas Travelers of the Texas League the AA affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim.

The Orioles proved last year it doesn’t matter where you have been if you produce. Lew Ford, who played 25 games for Baltimore during the stretch drive, hadn’t been in the majors since 2007. He had bounced around in Japan, Mexico, and was with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League for parts of the last few years.

If Greenberg can produce, he did have 124 stolen bases his last 3 seasons, he might find himself in Buck Showalter’s lineup.

Players looking to find work next spring have a new option in the Texas Winter League.

The Texas Winter League, which will replace the Arizona Winter League,  is put on by the North American League and is the perfect chance for current and aspiring baseball players looking to improve their game under the watchful eyes of veteran professional baseball coaches and managers.

The coaches and managers that will be participating in the TWL are some of the best in independent baseball. Combined they have decades of experience, have won several manager of the year awards, and have won league titles in several different independent leagues.

They include:

Eddie Dennis – Manager of the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings

Al Gallagher – Former Major Leaguer and former manager in the Northern League and American Association

Greg Tagart – Manager of the Gary Southshore RailCats of the American Association

Jaime Bennett – Manager of the Schaumburg Boomers in the Frontier League

Chris Paterson – Twice has won Manager of the Year once each in the Pecos and Continental Baseball League

Not only will you get the instruction of some of the top professional managers and coaches, but 4-6 players will be signed to each team in the United League (a division in the North American League) for spring training.

Teams in NAL/ United League include;

Fort Worth Cats

San Angelo Colts

Edinburgh Road Runners

Rio Grande Valley White Wings

Abilene Prairie Dogs

Mcallen Thunder

And 2 new teams to be announced for the 2013 season shortly

This is the only developmental winter league that is back by a professional league.

Players must be 18 years old and have previously played in high school, college, or professional level to qualify.

The Texas Winter League will operate in:

• Harlingen, the Rio Grande Valley,  Texas

From January 31, 2013 through March 1, 2013

For more information visit www.TexasWinterLeague.com or contact Chris Paterson at chrispaterson12@usa.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

www.mauiprobaseball.com

San Rafael, California, August 25, 2012 – The Valley Isle’s only professional sports team, Na Koa Ikaika Maui, is happy to announce that after defeating the San Rafael Pacifics 2-0 today, they evened the NABL North Division Championship Series (a Best of 3), at one (1) game apiece. The deciding game is tomorrow, Sunday August 25^th. First pitch is scheduled for 10:15am HST/1:15pm PST. The game will be broadcast locally on Maui on our Flagship, KAOI AM 1110 and around the world online at www.MauiProBaseball.com. Bill Schindler, the “Voice of Na Koa Ikaika Maui” will be calling the action from Albert Park in San Rafael.

This is the 3^rd season for Na Koa Ikaika (36-29) on Maui and the inaugural season for the San Rafael Pacifics (33-26), yet the teams have been evenly matched throughout 2012. The two (2) teams finished the regular season tied for 1^st Place. They have battled each other twenty three (23) times so far this season, with the Pacifics winning twelve (12) of them and Na Koa Ikaika Maui winning eleven (11). The twenty fourth (24^th) match-up of the season will determine the Division Champion.

Bob Young, owner of Hawaii Baseball LLC, stated “I’ve learned after six (6) years of ownership in Independent Professional Baseball that each team is different, unique in their own way. I’ve got to say that this 2012 team is really special. They had a slow start but stuck together and have gelled into a close unit. They care about each other and enjoy playing together. They have persevered and now seem to be hitting on all cylinders. San Rafael is a very tough team. It’s not going to be easy but we are looking forward to tomorrow’s game and hope to bring a Championship back to the Valley Isle!”

ABOUT NA KOA IKAIKA MAUI

The team, one of Hawaii’s only two professional sports organizations (the other being sister team – Hawaii Stars on the Big Island of Hawaii), will be competing in the North American Baseball league (NAL) against teams from California, and Texas; Na Koa Ikaika Maui play all of their home games in Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku. For more information, contact David Andrus, CEO of Hawaii Baseball LLC (contact info above) or Chris Osgood, COO of Hawaii Baseball LLC, chris@osgoodmarketinggroup.com or 404-210-3968.

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TRINIDAD, Colorado – The Trinidad Triggers of the Pecos League have released their new logo. The new Triggers hats with the new logo will go on sale in January 2013.

The Triggers will keep the same jerseys and colors of black and yellow. They will continue to use the original logo as an alternate.

The logo is more of a Western Theme and is designed after Bat Masterson who was a famous gunman in the area at the turn of the century.

The Triggers made the playoffs in their first year in the Pecos League but lost in the first round to the eventual champion Alpine Cowboys.

For more information visit TrinidadTriggers.com

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Jackie Robinson is synonomous with the Brooklyn Dodgers having broken the color barrier in 1947 and playing in Brooklyn until 1956. Just 2 years after Robinson retired from baseball, the Dodgers moved west to Los Angeles and baseball was gone from Brooklyn.

In 2001 baseball was back in Brooklyn as the Queens Kings moved to Brooklyn to become the Cyclones. The team plays on Coney Island where on November 1, 2005 a statue of Pee Wee Reese and Jackie Robinson was unveiled.

The statue is a eight foot tall bronze statue of Reese with his arm around Robinson. The statue is of a moment in Cincinnati during Robinson’s first game. As he was being heckled and cursed and called every name in the book, Reese walked across the field with his arm around Robinson.

On the pedestal of the sculpture are six panels and includes an engraved description:

“This monument honors Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese: teammates, friends, and men of courage and conviction.  Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball, Reese supported him, and together they made history.  In May 1947, on Cincinnati’s Crosley Field, Robinson endured racist taunts, jeers, and death threats that would have broken the spirit of a lesser man.  Reese, captain of the Brooklyn Dodgers, walked over to his teammate Robinson and stood by his side, silencing the taunts of the crowd.  This simple gesture challenged prejudice and created a powerful and enduring friendship.”

The statue sits in front of the Cyclones Stadium MCU Park.

Photos Courtesy of Ismael Nunez

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The Pecos League is in its final weekend of the regular season. There are three games to play with three teams already in the playoffs. The final spot will come down to the final few games as the Trinidad Triggers and White Sands Pupfish are battling it out for the final spot. Plus none of the top three seeds are set.

At the top of the standings are the Alpine Cowboys and the defending champion Roswell Invaders who are battling it out with the final 6 games of season. Alpine took the first game 6-5 by scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 9th to earn the win. On Sunday and Monday, the two teams will be playing double headers with the final game of the season coming Tuesday night.

In 3rd place at the moment is the Las Cruces Vaqueros who could still maybe come out on top. They are playing the 5th place White Sands Pupfish who are fighting for their playoff lives.

The playoffs will start on Wednesday, and the final weekend should be interesting with all the playoff spots being set.

In other recent news from the league, two players were signed by MLB affiliates.

Charlie Short of the Roswell Invaders was signed by the New York Yankees and assigned to one of the Yankees minor league teams. Short was a reliever for the Invaders and was having a great season. In 12 appearances, Short had 6 saves and 28 strikeouts in15 innings pitched.

Andrew Wall of the Alpine Cowboys was signed by the Washington Nationals and assigned to the New York-Penn League which is a short-season A league. The left-handed relief pitcher was 1-0 in 27 games with a 2.70 ERA over 20 innings pitched.

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