Independent Baseball Season Fires Up Next Week With Three More Leagues Starting Play

Joe Calfapietra is one of the real veterans among the 32 Independent Baseball managers preparing teams to open the season in one week (May 17) when the Can-Am League, American Association and Frontier League hear the “Play Ball” cry. The 42-year-old New Jersey Jackals skipper has had time to develop a plan for building a […]

Jerome Williams (Three-Hit Shutout), Jered Weaver (No-Hitter) Strut Their Stuff With More Than 100 Others at MLB Doorstep

My intention this week was to talk up the fact more than 100 Independent Baseball players now populate the rosters of the top two levels of major league-affiliated minor league teams, and while I will get back to that point it is impossible to overlook the masterful shutout turned in by Jerome Williams, who still […]

As Atlantic Season Opens, Kirk and Other Owners Eye Spanning USA With Two Eight-Team Divisions

When Sugar Land inaugurated its lavish new ballpark near Houston on Thursday, the Skeeters helped usher in the 20th season of this improbable success known as Independent Baseball. Two decades of professional play apart from the major leagues is quite an accomplishment for those who have given their sweat and their dollars, but I feel I can safely […]

Harper-Less Hagerstown Suns Open with a Flourish

A very respectable crowd of 2,078 turned out on a very chilly Opening Night, to watch the Bryce Harper-less Hagerstown Suns play the West Virginia Power in Sally League action on Thursday. Still, the contrast between this year and last year when 6,017 came to watch Harper’s minor league debut was stark to the point […]

West Virginia Power Looking for Excitement in 2012

Yesterday was a beautiful day for media day here in Charleston, WV for the West Virginia Power, Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sun, freshly cut grass, the smell of baseball in the air leading up to a season of great expectations on the ballfield.    The Power returns eight players from last year’s […]

It Is Nail-Biting Time for Several Independent Players Although ’11 Standout Jerome Williams Is ‘On Track’

It appears 2011 Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers (Atlantic League) starter Jerome Williams could win that fifth starting job with the Los Angeles Angels after all even though his hamstring strain forced him to miss some 24 days of spring training. The 30-year-old, who also at one time hurled for Long Beach, CA in the Golden League, […]

Independent Map Seems Set With 50 Teams, But North American Is Without Its CEO

It now seems pretty certain the 20th season of Independent Baseball, which started with two leagues in 1993, will consist of 50 teams, not counting any late-developing circuits or pay-to-play leagues. The final tally includes the return of Orange County (Fullerton, CA) to become the fourth team in the second-year North American League’s Northern Division.  […]

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 […]

Closing Day in Hagerstown

“It’s a sad day, a sad day,” said a fan in a Hagerstown Suns camo hat while standing behind the home team dugout some 20 minutes before the final game of the 2011 season. Big Tony, the Suns beer vendor acknowledged that it was. All 656 in attendance seemed to feel that way, although they […]

Bostick tabbed NYCBL Player of the Year

Add another to the list of accomplishments by the 2011 Webster Yankees. The team which set a New York Collegiate Baseball League record with 14 consecutive wins and reached the league finals for the first time in the organization’s history placed the a club record five on the all-league team including Player-of-the-Year, Chris Bostick. “I’m […]

Brust named NYCBL Coach of the Year

Four years in the making Dave Brust got his just due. The New York Collegiate Baseball League announced its post-season awards, and the Webster skipper nabbed the top honor. Brust’s Webster nine set new organization standards and broke a league record en route to a 30-14 regular season mark and an eventual spot in the […]

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 […]

Bostick and Montgomery: A tale of two draft picks

One summer collegiate wood-bat team. Two Major League Baseball draft picks. One player launching a professional career. Another player re-working a career. Both came to the Webster Yankees and got what they needed. When Chris Bostick took advantage of a change in the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s by-laws, a unique situation was created. The […]

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 […]

Webster advances to the NYCBL championship

WEBSTER, N.Y. — It was a fitting end. Corey Goeggleman (Waynesburg St.), who had just entered the game as defensive replacement, leapt into the air and snared the line drive off the bat of Max Casper (North Dakota St.). When his feet returned to the ground, the second baseman alertly moved to double-up Ralph Alloco […]

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 […]

Pair of Webster hurlers combine on no-hitter

GENEVA, N.Y. — Webster Yankee head coach, Dave Brust has his concerns. With his team clinching the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s West Division on Saturday, the Webster skipper wants his team to remain focused for the upcoming playoffs. If Tuesday night’s effort is any indication, the Webster nine have blocked out all distractions. Nate […]

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, […]

Bostick and Webster walk off with another victory

WEBSTER, N.Y. — Another day and another win in the last at-bat for the Webster Yankees. And a familiar surname again takes the honors. Ben Bostick (St. John Fisher) dropped a two-out, bases-loaded bunt down the first base line, and Nick Flemister scampered home as Webster came from behind in extra innings to defeat the […]

Webster maintains grip on first place

WEBSTER, N.Y. — All’s well that ends well, and for the Webster Yankees that means another day atop the New York Collegiate Baseball League’s West Division. Chris Bostick (Aquinas Institute) rapped a two-out, walk-off single in the 10th inning capping  a wild affair as the Yankees trimmed the Geneva Red Wings 8-7 in NYCBL action […]

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