Two members of the 2007 Traverse City Beach Bums retired suddenly yesterday. 1B/C Curtis Ledbetter, who was expected to be the every day 1st basemen for the Beach Bums in 2008, and outfielder RC Dicerkson both called to announce their intentions to pursue opportunities outside of professional baseball. Ledbetter has accepted a position as the University of Nebraska's Director of Baseball Operations. Both players will be missed for their attitude and ability on and off the field.
The impact of the announcement will have Matt Imwalle come into camp as the every day 1st basemen for the Beach Bums, although outfielder Jake Whitesides could also see some time there.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Beach Bums Deal for Pitchers
The Traverse City Beach Bums have acquired RHP Shannon Wirth and reacquired RHP David Nathanson from the Joliet Jackhammers of the Frontier League for a player to be named later. Both pitchers are expected to open the season in the Beach Bums' starting rotation.
Nathanson pitched for the Beach Bums in 2007 and was sent to Joliet this off-season in the deal that brought OF Jake Whitesides and SS Tim Hutting to the Beach Bums. Hutting was later traded for INF/DH Matt Imwalle.
Last year for the Beach Bums, Nathanson went 5-2 with a league 6th best 2.95 ERA in 76.1 innings. Over that stretch, Nathanson gave up just 70 hits, 3 home runs, and 11 walks while striking out 42 and holding opponents to a .244 average.
The unknown face for Beach Bums' fans is RHP Shannon Wirth, a 6'0" 215-pound native of Troutdale, Oregon. Wirth helped win the 2006 national title for Lewis & Clark State College, a NAIA powerhouse program, and was drafted in the 32nd round by the Texas Rangers. He pitched 38 innings amongst three different levels in the Rangers organization in 2006, reaching as high as class high-A. In 2007, Wirth pitched for now Joliet manager Wally Backman in South Georgia of the South Coast League. Wirth helped win a title with South Georgia in 2007, going 9-5 with a league 5th best 3.44 ERA in a league 2nd best 107.1 innings. He walked 33, struck out 71, and held opponents to a .265 average.
Nathanson pitched for the Beach Bums in 2007 and was sent to Joliet this off-season in the deal that brought OF Jake Whitesides and SS Tim Hutting to the Beach Bums. Hutting was later traded for INF/DH Matt Imwalle.
Last year for the Beach Bums, Nathanson went 5-2 with a league 6th best 2.95 ERA in 76.1 innings. Over that stretch, Nathanson gave up just 70 hits, 3 home runs, and 11 walks while striking out 42 and holding opponents to a .244 average.
The unknown face for Beach Bums' fans is RHP Shannon Wirth, a 6'0" 215-pound native of Troutdale, Oregon. Wirth helped win the 2006 national title for Lewis & Clark State College, a NAIA powerhouse program, and was drafted in the 32nd round by the Texas Rangers. He pitched 38 innings amongst three different levels in the Rangers organization in 2006, reaching as high as class high-A. In 2007, Wirth pitched for now Joliet manager Wally Backman in South Georgia of the South Coast League. Wirth helped win a title with South Georgia in 2007, going 9-5 with a league 5th best 3.44 ERA in a league 2nd best 107.1 innings. He walked 33, struck out 71, and held opponents to a .265 average.
Beach Bums Ink Goetz
The Traverse City Beach Bums have signed outfielder Mike Goetz to a 2008 contract.
The 5'11" 190-pound native of Greenfield, Wisconsin, comes to Traverse City with an impressive resume. He was an All-American in both Junior College and at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he led the nation with a .493 batting average his senior season while finishing in the top 40 in the county in four other offensive categories.
Goetz was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006 and spent the rest of the summer tearing up the Arizona League. He led the league with 31 stolen bases while hitting .289 with a .393 on-base percentage. In 2007, he was promoted to the class short season-A Helena Brewers where he was managed by former Beach Bums' manager Jeff Isom. For Helena, Goetz hit .318 with 28 runs, 27 RBI, .462 slugging percentage, and .417 on-base percentage in just 132 at-bats. For his performance, Goetz was rewarded with a brief late-season call-up to the class double-A Huntsville Stars.
The 5'11" 190-pound native of Greenfield, Wisconsin, comes to Traverse City with an impressive resume. He was an All-American in both Junior College and at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where he led the nation with a .493 batting average his senior season while finishing in the top 40 in the county in four other offensive categories.
Goetz was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006 and spent the rest of the summer tearing up the Arizona League. He led the league with 31 stolen bases while hitting .289 with a .393 on-base percentage. In 2007, he was promoted to the class short season-A Helena Brewers where he was managed by former Beach Bums' manager Jeff Isom. For Helena, Goetz hit .318 with 28 runs, 27 RBI, .462 slugging percentage, and .417 on-base percentage in just 132 at-bats. For his performance, Goetz was rewarded with a brief late-season call-up to the class double-A Huntsville Stars.
Monday, April 21, 2008
3B Smith signs with Bums
The Beach Bums will announce today the signing of infielder Kenny Smith to a 2008 contract.
Smith was a NCAA DI Second-Team All-American in 2007 for Western Carolina after hitting .390 with 24 doubles, 4 triples, 20 home runs, 84 RBI, 14 SB, 30 BB, and just 28 K. Following the season he was drafted in the 20th round by the Texas Rangers and assigned to the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. In Spokane, Smith hit .240 in 121 at-bats with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 16 runs, 12 RBI, 3 stolen bases, and a .319 OBP. Smith's performance earned him a late season call-up to the Clinton Lumberjacks of the Midwest League.
A versatile defender, Smith played all infield positions during his college career, but will probably be used mostly at 3rd base for the Beach Bums. Last year in the Rangers organization, Smith played all 36 games at 3rd base, committing just 4 errors.
Smith was a NCAA DI Second-Team All-American in 2007 for Western Carolina after hitting .390 with 24 doubles, 4 triples, 20 home runs, 84 RBI, 14 SB, 30 BB, and just 28 K. Following the season he was drafted in the 20th round by the Texas Rangers and assigned to the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League. In Spokane, Smith hit .240 in 121 at-bats with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, 16 runs, 12 RBI, 3 stolen bases, and a .319 OBP. Smith's performance earned him a late season call-up to the Clinton Lumberjacks of the Midwest League.
A versatile defender, Smith played all infield positions during his college career, but will probably be used mostly at 3rd base for the Beach Bums. Last year in the Rangers organization, Smith played all 36 games at 3rd base, committing just 4 errors.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bums sign Shortstop, RHP
We received two more contracts back today on players that didn't make the today's press release - shortstop Brad Miller and RHP Zac Cole.
Miller was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Cowley County Community College and spent the past two seasons in their organization. Last year he hit .231 with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, and 4 stolen bases in just 117 at-bats at class low-A West Virginia Power. Jeff Isom, who is now the manager of Power, likened Miller's ability to Justin Holmes.
Cole is a hard throwing right-hander that pitched in rookie ball for the Orioles last year, but was recommended to us by a connection in the Diamondbacks system. Reports show Cole throwing consistently in the 91-94 mph range. For the Orioles, Cole threw 12.1 innings with 11 walks, 11 strikeouts, 2 saves, and a 5.86 ERA. Cole is candidate for either starting or relieving. There is also a chance we will turn him into our closer.
Miller was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Cowley County Community College and spent the past two seasons in their organization. Last year he hit .231 with 6 doubles, 2 home runs, and 4 stolen bases in just 117 at-bats at class low-A West Virginia Power. Jeff Isom, who is now the manager of Power, likened Miller's ability to Justin Holmes.
Cole is a hard throwing right-hander that pitched in rookie ball for the Orioles last year, but was recommended to us by a connection in the Diamondbacks system. Reports show Cole throwing consistently in the 91-94 mph range. For the Orioles, Cole threw 12.1 innings with 11 walks, 11 strikeouts, 2 saves, and a 5.86 ERA. Cole is candidate for either starting or relieving. There is also a chance we will turn him into our closer.
Beach Bums Sign Three
The Beach Bums have announced the signing of three players - LHP Ted Gjeldum, C John Brummett, and UTL Damon Lessler.
Gjeldum is a 6'4" 200-pound hard throwing left-hander who played in 2007 in rookie ball in the Royals system. He finished his first professional season with a 4-1 record, 3.86 ERA, 34.2 IP, 17 BB, 37 K, and a .237 OAV. He tops out at 91-92 mph and we think him and Jared Locke could be the two best bullpen lefties in the Frontier League.
Brummett is a 6'1" 205-pound Iowa native who played the past two seasons in the Oakland Athletics organization. He was signed out of Pittsburg State in 2006 after being named a 1st Team All-American with some gaudy stats - .434 AVG, 9 2B, 13 HR, and 53 RBI in just 46 games. He didn't get many at-bats in the Athletics' system, so he is still considered a rookie by Frontier League standards.
Lessler is a 5'6" 155-pound switch-hitting utility player from Castro Valley, California. He played the 2007 season with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association, where he was teammate with current Beach Bums' infielder Matt Imwalle. He was a role player in Sioux Falls, seeing action in 38 games between 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base, and designated hitter. His finals stats for 2007 included a .211 AVG, 3 HR, 15 R, and 16 RBI in just 114 at-bats. He has also been working on playing the outfield this off-season.
We still have contracts out on two infielders, an outfielder, and two pitchers. Those announcements should be coming by the end of the week - their contracts should be arriving any day now.
Gjeldum is a 6'4" 200-pound hard throwing left-hander who played in 2007 in rookie ball in the Royals system. He finished his first professional season with a 4-1 record, 3.86 ERA, 34.2 IP, 17 BB, 37 K, and a .237 OAV. He tops out at 91-92 mph and we think him and Jared Locke could be the two best bullpen lefties in the Frontier League.
Brummett is a 6'1" 205-pound Iowa native who played the past two seasons in the Oakland Athletics organization. He was signed out of Pittsburg State in 2006 after being named a 1st Team All-American with some gaudy stats - .434 AVG, 9 2B, 13 HR, and 53 RBI in just 46 games. He didn't get many at-bats in the Athletics' system, so he is still considered a rookie by Frontier League standards.
Lessler is a 5'6" 155-pound switch-hitting utility player from Castro Valley, California. He played the 2007 season with the Sioux Falls Canaries of the American Association, where he was teammate with current Beach Bums' infielder Matt Imwalle. He was a role player in Sioux Falls, seeing action in 38 games between 2nd base, shortstop, 3rd base, and designated hitter. His finals stats for 2007 included a .211 AVG, 3 HR, 15 R, and 16 RBI in just 114 at-bats. He has also been working on playing the outfield this off-season.
We still have contracts out on two infielders, an outfielder, and two pitchers. Those announcements should be coming by the end of the week - their contracts should be arriving any day now.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Transactions Preview
We haven't had much to announce in the past few weeks as we searched the country to fill in the missing pieces to our 2008 squad, but Beach Bums fans can expect several player announcements in the upcoming two weeks. We have found a couple missing pieces to our pitching staff as well as a few infielders and one more outfielder and catcher to bring into spring training. All together, we have very pleased at this point with what we have on paper and we are excited these guys to Traverse City and get the ball rolling.
Fans can expect anywhere from 7-9 more player announcements in the upcoming week. However, we have had several players back out on us this year as their contracts were pending, so I can't say anything more than that at this point until we have their contracts signed and returned.
Fans can expect anywhere from 7-9 more player announcements in the upcoming week. However, we have had several players back out on us this year as their contracts were pending, so I can't say anything more than that at this point until we have their contracts signed and returned.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
High School Baseball at Wuerfel Park
In case you are as hungry for the baseball season as we are here in Traverse City, you can stop by the park on the following dates to catch some high school baseball action. Admission for doubleheaders will be $2 and tournaments will be $5 for an all-day pass. Here is the current schedule:
April 15th - Manton vs. Boyne Falls - doubleheader at 4 p.m.
April 19th - Fan Fest featuring the Frankfort Invitational starting at 9:30 a.m.
Admission to the tournament will be free of charge as one of the Beach Bums' Fan Fest promotions. Traverse Bay Marine will have a boat show in the parking lot, Beach Bums' players, coaches, and mascots will sign autographs, several prizes will be raffled off, and concession will be half price throughout the day. The tournament includes teams from Frankfort, Elk Rapids, Bellaire, and Mason County Eastern.
April 26th - Traverse City St. Francis Invitational - times TBD
Tournament teams include TC St. Francis, Cadillac, Rudyard, and Lake Leelanau St. Mary's. The Rudyard and Lake Leelanau St. Mary game will be a rematch of the 2007 MHSAA State Quarterfinals where Rudyard topped St. Mary by a score of 7-2. The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association has Rudyard ranked #3 in the state and St. Mary #9 in the 2008 pre-season polls.
May 15th - Elk Rapids vs. Mancelona - doubleheader at 4 p.m.
May 17th - Glen Lake Invitational - times TBD
Tournament teams will include Glen Lake, Pine River, Clare, and Rogers City.
April 15th - Manton vs. Boyne Falls - doubleheader at 4 p.m.
April 19th - Fan Fest featuring the Frankfort Invitational starting at 9:30 a.m.
Admission to the tournament will be free of charge as one of the Beach Bums' Fan Fest promotions. Traverse Bay Marine will have a boat show in the parking lot, Beach Bums' players, coaches, and mascots will sign autographs, several prizes will be raffled off, and concession will be half price throughout the day. The tournament includes teams from Frankfort, Elk Rapids, Bellaire, and Mason County Eastern.
April 26th - Traverse City St. Francis Invitational - times TBD
Tournament teams include TC St. Francis, Cadillac, Rudyard, and Lake Leelanau St. Mary's. The Rudyard and Lake Leelanau St. Mary game will be a rematch of the 2007 MHSAA State Quarterfinals where Rudyard topped St. Mary by a score of 7-2. The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association has Rudyard ranked #3 in the state and St. Mary #9 in the 2008 pre-season polls.
May 15th - Elk Rapids vs. Mancelona - doubleheader at 4 p.m.
May 17th - Glen Lake Invitational - times TBD
Tournament teams will include Glen Lake, Pine River, Clare, and Rogers City.
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