Independent Player of Year Finally Gets a Chance; Twins’ Chris Colabello Is One Happy Guy

While spring training can be devastating for those who have to face the reality of not making a team, it also brings out a great deal of happiness for some, especially for those players who have labored a long time to reach a certain level. Down in Fort Myers, FL where the Minnesota Twins train […]

The Backstop for Sioux Falls’s 2010 Powerhouse Now Bidding for Job With San Diego

Back on the diamond, one of the fascinating stories still developing is that of Eddy Rodriguez, who only two summers ago was the catcher on the powerhouse American Association team in Sioux Falls, SD.  Still only 26, the former University of Miami (FL) product is one of seven catchers in the San Diego Padres’ major […]

Another Plateau for Independent Game: 50 Players Headed to Major League Camps

It seems pretty basic:  If a major league team needs pitching—and who doesn’t, either right away or at some time during the grueling season—the scouting department had better include the Independent leagues somewhere in its blueprint for finding arms. A record 50 players who have toiled outside of the affiliated ranks, including 38 hurlers, will […]

After Six Indy Division Titles and Two League Championships, Brendan Sagara ‘On Cloud Nine’ With Marlins Job

Hawaiian native Brendan Sagara had barely gotten his first managerial job after nearly a decade building a successful resume as a pitching coach in four different Independent leagues, but he knew he had to give up the opportunity to lead Na Ikaika Koa Maui when the Miami Marlins offered him a job. “It (minor league […]

Getting More Opportunities, Indy Hurlers Top Three Winter Leagues in ERA

Unlike many previous seasons when prominent current or former Independent players had a difficult time finding any significant playing time in the winter leagues, a bevy of these players are prospering this winter.  Many of them, as best we can tell, are free agents so this can be a very good showcase. Travis Schlichting, who […]

Grube, Savage New Names to Watch in Spring Training

Since this is the final column before the calendar turns to 2012, I cannot help but wonder if Independent Baseball can top this season when a record 40 of its former players wore a major league uniform? While admittedly early in forecasting success stories for the new year much beyond the previous accolades for possible […]

Forensic Career Bypassed as Indy Grad Jason Cooper Takes on New Opportunity With Pirates

Stanford University professors may not want to hear it, but one of their anthropological science graduates has given up an admitted “passion” for forensics to start on Phase 2 of a professional baseball career, this time as a front office rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jason Cooper could see the handwriting on the wall within […]

New ‘Prospect Tournament’ Ticketed for St. Petersburg: A Refreshing Opportunity for Independent League Players

Every once in a while a really novel idea comes along; something with benefits for everyone. That would seem to be the case with the plan longtime Independent Baseball talent scout Nick   Belmonte is hatching immediately ahead of minor league spring training camps opening. Belmonte, who says he has been involved in the signing of […]

Umpires Out of Independent Leagues Are Advancing; Adam Hamari Could Get Shot in Majors Soon

It is only natural to focus on players in this column, but two umpires out of Independent leagues are drawing attention in the major league-affiliated ranks and at least one of them likely will be seen on the national stage very soon. Adam Hamari, who only six years ago (a very short span for an […]

Pan American Gold for Team USA May Depend On Continued Work of Atlantic Leaguer Andy Van Hekken

Despite all of its world-wide baseball success, including the Olympic Games, the United States has not won a gold medal in the Pan American Games in 44 years (1967).  Team USA set off its latest bid to capture the title as we were putting this column together Thursday, and if it is to be successful […]

Surprise, Surprise! It Is Early October And Three Indy Leagues Already Seem Set for 2012

Some uncertainties over league makeup often dominate the news this time of year, but at least three of the five primary Independent leagues seem to have their plans in order.  One result is that travel teams which the Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues had to endure this season are gone. The Atlantic League is already out […]

With Another 84 Contracts Sold and Some Postseason Players, Indy Game Continues to Produce for Majors

While the next few months before most Independent teams throw a pitch that counts is certain to bring a ton of headlines about franchises struggling and some welcome news on emerging markets, league executives can continue to boast about what a strong source the non-affiliated operations are in providing talent for major league organizations. At […]

$64,000 September Payday Must Look Very Appealing To Former Independent Players in Majors

For anyone curious about the pay earned by a former Independent player—or any other player—who suddenly finds himself in the major leagues as a September 1 call-up, the answer rests somewhere around $64,000 in salary.  The $414,500 annual salary for a rookie is prorated for the 182 days of the season at $2,277 per day. […]

Steve Delebar, Dylan Axelrod Make News for Indy Leaguers

Well-traveled veteran Joey Gathright, who has played in three leagues in the last two summers, became the record-tying poster boy as the 40th Independent player to wear a major league uniform this season, but the speedy outfielder will have to do something truly special for the Boston Red Sox if he is to take the […]

Major League Count Grows by Five to 39

While many of the geographic priorities have shifted somewhat from where they were in 1993, it is likely most insiders would still agree that Independent Baseball’s No. 1 reason for existence these last 19 years has been to provide professional baseball in communities which would not otherwise have this type of affordable entertainment within miles […]

American Association Playoffs Have a Different Look

Not one single hint of disrespect is intended toward the four teams in the American Association playoffs because they earned their opportunity during the grind of the 100-game regular season, but there are some unusual sideline observers for the championship run. The playoff field, which was not finalized until the very last day of the […]

‘Oh Boy’, What an Experience Former Can-Am Boss Daubach Is Having as He Helps Nats’ Touted Harper and Strasburg

Brian Daubach admits “I still check the Can-Am (League) box scores nearly every day.” That might not seem so strange except that the onetime major league first baseman-outfielder is no longer managing in the Northeast-based league.  He is finishing his first season back in affiliated baseball, leading the Washington Nationals farm club in Hagerstown, MD […]

Latest Independent Player to Reach Majors in One Year Sets Bar High for 2011 Signees

Erik Hamren has set the bar very high for those who follow in his footsteps such as premier American Association players Cyle Hankerd and Blake Gailen, who recently had their contracts purchased by major league organizations.  The same is true for 2011 grads who have made their way out  of the Can-Am, North American and […]

24-Year-Old on Top of Indy Baseball World

It Is Another Busy Week in the Indy World With One 24-Year-Old Sitting on Top of It Every 24-year-old involved in Independent Baseball dreams of landing an honest-to-goodness major league opportunity. It has happened once more, although this time it was not a 95-mile per hour fastball or rare power that provided the launch. I […]

Independents May Have Most Major Leaguers Ever in ’11

Well-Traveled Hurler DeLaRosa Helps Independents Edge Closer to All-Time High for Most Major Leaguers The door has swung completely open for Independent Baseball to claim perhaps its most important achievement before the season ends.  This could go down as the summer when the greatest number of players made it to the major leagues.  After all, […]

Second Team on Long Island Hot News for Atlantic League

The Atlantic League was assured of a very good week long before the first baseball was rubbed up for its annual All-Star showcase in York, PA because the 14-year-old circuit, which expects to entertain its 25 millionth fan later this summer, won a major step toward securing another coveted market. “Some dynamic times are ahead […]

Long Island Takes First Title, Quebec Has Top Indy Record

     The Long Island (NY) Ducks hold the distinction of winning the first Independent Baseball title of the season, clinching the Liberty Division crown for the first half of the split season in the Atlantic League, but the honor of the best record so far belongs to the Quebec Capitales, who have won 29 of […]

Old Injury Costs Job in Washington Nationals Chain

     Ryan Quigley of the Joliet (IL) Slammers is enjoying what could easily be consider a dream season in the Frontier League, except that for most practical purposes the 25-year-old closer with only Independent Baseball experience on his professional resume could easily be getting batters out in the Washington Nationals’ minor league system.       The […]

‘Extra Outfielder’ Now a Hitting Star

     In forging their way to the best record in the Atlantic League, the Long Island (NY) Ducks have relied on the talents of such established players at this level of play as John Rodriguez, Lew Ford, J. R. House, Ray Navarrete and Javier Colina.  It is a substantial group.         And they have Kraig […]

Rave Reviews for Newest Can-Am Stadium For the Rockland Boulders

The consensus seemed unanimous. The Can-Am League’s new Rockland (NY) Boulders have a winner in $38 million Provident Bank Park, which opened—and appeared virtually completed—to a sold out crowd Thursday night. A 6,000-seat facility only an hour or so north of New York City it has all the amenities any new stadium should have plus […]

10-1 in Cubs System in 2010, Indy Leaguer Today

     How do you figure this game?       James Leverton was 10-1 with a 2.75 earned run average in his third season in the Chicago Cubs’ system in 2010, earning mid-season all-star status in the Midwest League and finishing the year in Class AA.  Yet, he was released out of spring training.       What my […]

Cochran’s First Major League Trip a Short One

     Anyone who had ridden a roller coaster should be able to relate to what Independent Baseball veteran Tom Cochran has experienced in recent days.       “I’ve never had a bigger smile on my face,” he told MLB.com last Sunday after the Cincinnati Reds gave the 28-year-old lefty his first call-up to the major leagues.  […]

Buckner and Canseco Managing Debuts in Spotlight

Big names always offer a special allure. That is why two of the most anticipated managerial debuts in some time in Independent Baseball have been drawing extra attention.  Add together their 4,592 major league hits and 636 home runs plus the side stories of Bill Buckner and Jose Canseco, and it is guaranteed they will […]

‘Dugout of Dreams’ Part of New Can-Am Stadium Experience

     The Can-Am League will be the last of the Independent leagues to open, starting next Thursday (May 26), and it will be another three weeks before the new Rockland Boulders get to inaugurate their 4,300-seat ballpark in Ramapo, NY.  But it seems an understatement to say the enthusiasm is building in Rockland County, which […]

If Montreal Gets Stadium, Indy Team Will Follow

     The French counterpart to the word “if”, I am told, is “si”.  Well, si got considerable attention north of the United States border this week.       Miles Wolff, the commissioner of  the Canadian-American League, which this corner tends to shorten to Can-Am, sat down to talk baseball in bustling Montreal this week, along with […]

Royals’ Crow Latest Talking Point for American Association

     The American Association already has plenty of talking points for the inauguration of its sixth season next week, not the least of which is its five new franchises and its expansion to 14 teams, more than in any other Independent Baseball league.       Its newest headline-drawing major league pitcher could be another point of […]

Some Thoughts Far Away as Indy Season Launches

     While the Atlantic League inaugurates the Independent Baseball season in its normal Eastern-based cities Friday night, Founder Frank Boulton and his associates must surely have growing thoughts—and perhaps a little anxiety—over what is to come 12 months from now.        This 14-year-old league, which always has lofty goals with new stadiums and most of […]

Broadcaster Gets to Majors; ‘Electric’ Hurler Hopeful

     Almost without exception, the goal of those who get into Independent Baseball is to get out.  The faster, the better.       This isn’t a plague-on-the-house type of thing.  It is that the major leagues are the goal.        Today’s lesson, class, is about the guy who achieved his dream and the one still determined […]

MARK PRIOR COULD JOIN JAKUBAUSKAS, RICHMOND WITH MAJOR LEAGUE TIME

     It is good to see that two of Independent Baseball’s brightest “finds” of recent seasons have not gotten lost in the shuffle because injuries interrupted their time in the major leagues.       Chris Jakubauskas has joined the parent Baltimore Orioles and fellow right-handed pitcher Scott Richmond got a brief return call to the Toronto […]

Another Indy Milestone Achieved With 150th Major Leaguer

     Independent Baseball reached another impressive milestone shortly after the major league season opened.             Appearances by rookies Tom Wilhelmsen and Aaron Crow plus a re-appearance by Eric Almonte, who is at the game’s highest level for the first time in eight years, jumped the non-affiliated branch of baseball past the 150 mark in getting […]

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