The vast majority of this country’s baseball fans are always going to think of Wally Backman as the scrappy second baseman and pesky No. 2 hitter on the New York Mets’ 1986 World Championship team. Why not? Although only 5-foot-9, he hit at least .300 every month that season, finished at .320 overall, and his .285 career average at season’s end ranked third best in the lovable Mets’ history to that point.
2007 Stats Leaders Fairing Well in Affiliated Play
It is a good test of Independent Baseball strength to see how the previous season’s statistical leaders are doing, especially if the players have had their contracts purchased by major league organizations.
Breathe easy, Independent leaguers. Five of the 14 we traced who had led significant categories are now in affiliated farm systems and every one is, at worst, holding his own. Strikeout leader Willie Glen, who helped lead Gary, IN to the Northern League title, is very much at the top of his game in the Class AA Southern League, with a strikeout per inning (21 in 20.1), a 3-1 record and a 2.21 earned run average for Carolina, No. 2 in Florida’s chain.
Take a Guess: How Many Northern Leaguers Have Signed With Majors?
Those early years of Independent Baseball don’t seem so far removed when I think back to the joy Northern League organizers had when Kash Beauchamp, the manager these days in Wichita, KS of the American Association, was the first player sold to a major league organization (Cincinnati) in 1993. It was the first confirmation major leaguers would reach out to the Independent talent pool.
Former Cub Big-Leaguer Hopes to Move to South Side of Windy City
Schaumburg, IL - The Schaumburg Flyers announced that former major league hurler Ryan O'Malley has been acquired by the Chicago White Sox. It is the 2nd time that the former Cub's LHP has been taken from the Flyer's Roster since he was signed by manager Steve Maddock this past February.
HAMMERS AND JOLIET NOON LIONS CLUB TEAM UP TO BENEFIT VISUALLY AND HEARING IMPAIRED
JOLIET, IL - The Joliet JackHammers and Joliet Noon Lions Club will again host “Jammin’ with the JackHammers” at Silver Cross Field on Monday, May 12 at 7:05 p.m. This year’s event will surround the JackHammers only public exhibition game versus the Florence Freedom (Frontier League). The JackHammers 2008 home season kicks off at Silver Cross Field on Harris Bank Opening Night (Friday, May 23) at 7:05 p.m. versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Tickets for the event are only $10.00 each, and include a hot dog, bag of chips and small soft drink. Plus, $5.00 from every ticket sold will be donated back to the Joliet Noon Lions Club for projects benefiting the visually and hearing impaired.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City T-Bones manager Andy McCauley has signed former Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Mahar and former Baltimore Orioles farmhand David Haehnel. Mahar, 26, was originally signed by the Rangers in 2004 as a nondrafted free agent. He spent four seasons in their system before getting called up to the Texas big league squad where he played in seven games last season.
Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced that RHP Dan Leatherman's contract has been acquired by the Washington Nationals, making him the 51st Goldeye to have his contract acquired by a Major League club. Leatherman, 22, was signed on April 1 following two years in the Twins system.
FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have signed RHP Garry Bakker, INF Carlo Cota, RHP David Humen and LHP Kevin Tomasiewicz. In addition, OF Casey Craig has signed a contract with the New York Mets organization and has left the RedHawks. The four signees will all be in Fargo when the RedHawks open camp on Thursday at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo.
FARGO, ND – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks improved their 2008 pre-season record to 4-2 as they defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 8-2 on Friday night at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, ND. Winnipeg dropped to 1-3-1 in the pre-season.
CRESTWOOD, IL-Nate Sevier and Nick Renault combined for seven scoreless innings and Juan Diaz (2-3) drove in four runs to lead the Joliet JackHammers to a 10-0 victory over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Friday afternoon at Standard Bank Stadium. The JackHammers improve to 2-0-1 on the 2008 exhibition season and travel to Florence, KY for a two-game series with the Florence Freedom beginning Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
ROCKFORD, IL-The Joliet JackHammers opened the 2008 exhibition season by getting plenty of work in for all of their regulars. Joliet used ten pitchers between two games and saw a three-run home run from newcomer Dorian Rojas to earn a doubleheader split. Joliet continues its exhibition schedule Friday afternoon in Crestwood against the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.
T-Bones score 11 runs in second consecutive win over local college
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The T-Bones played an errorless game while keeping the bats hot in their 11-6 win over the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The two teams both call CommunityAmerica Ballpark home and this marked the second time the teams have met in an exhibition game.
It is a good test of Independent Baseball strength to see how the previous season’s statistical leaders are doing, especially if the players have had their contracts purchased by major league organizations.
Those early years of Independent Baseball don’t seem so far removed when I think back to the joy Northern League organizers had when Kash Beauchamp, the manager these days in Wichita, KS of the American Association, was the first player sold to a major league organization (Cincinnati) in 1993. It was the first confirmation major leaguers would reach out to the Independent talent pool. 
Schaumburg, IL - The Schaumburg Flyers announced that former major league hurler Ryan O'Malley has been acquired by the Chicago White Sox. It is the 2nd time that the former Cub's LHP has been taken from the Flyer's Roster since he was signed by manager Steve Maddock this past February.
JOLIET, IL - The Joliet JackHammers and Joliet Noon Lions Club will again host “Jammin’ with the JackHammers” at Silver Cross Field on Monday, May 12 at 7:05 p.m. This year’s event will surround the JackHammers only public exhibition game versus the Florence Freedom (Frontier League). The JackHammers 2008 home season kicks off at Silver Cross Field on Harris Bank Opening Night (Friday, May 23) at 7:05 p.m. versus the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City T-Bones manager Andy McCauley has signed former Texas Rangers
Goldeyes manager Rick Forney announced that RHP Dan Leatherman's contract has been acquired by the Washington Nationals, making him the 51st Goldeye to have his contract acquired by a Major League club.
FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks have signed RHP Garry Bakker, INF Carlo Cota, RHP David Humen and LHP Kevin Tomasiewicz. In addition, OF Casey Craig has signed a contract with the New York Mets organization and has left the RedHawks. The four signees will all be in Fargo when the RedHawks open camp on Thursday at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo.
CRESTWOOD, IL-Nate Sevier and Nick Renault combined for seven scoreless innings and Juan Diaz (2-3) drove in four runs to lead the Joliet JackHammers to a 10-0 victory over the Windy City ThunderBolts on Friday afternoon at Standard Bank Stadium. The JackHammers improve to 2-0-1 on the 2008 exhibition season and travel to Florence, KY for a two-game series with the Florence Freedom beginning Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
ROCKFORD, IL-The Joliet JackHammers opened the 2008 exhibition season by getting plenty of work in for all of their regulars. Joliet used ten pitchers between two games and saw a three-run home run from newcomer Dorian Rojas to earn a doubleheader split. Joliet continues its exhibition schedule Friday afternoon in Crestwood against the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The T-Bones played an errorless game while keeping the bats hot in their 11-6 win over the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The two teams both call CommunityAmerica Ballpark home and this marked the second time the teams have met in an exhibition game.
