The Frontier League announces today that the Midwest Sliders will be a League travel team for the 2008 season. The team will play all 96 regular season games in the other eleven Frontier League stadiums. The Sliders will be based as part of the East Division of the League. All East Division clubs will now have 54 home dates, while West Division clubs will host 51 games.
Frontier League Commissioner Bill Lee says, “We fully understand that the players on the Sliders will have a difficult task of playing all games on the road, but we also know that having a travel team benefits the other 11 clubs in the League.”
In 2007, the Sliders played 32 home games at Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock, Pa. Lee adds, “We can’t demonstrate enough our gratitude to everyone at Slippery Rock University for their assistance during the 2007 season. Without their cooperation we would have never been able to field a team there. We want to personally thank SRU President, Dr. Robert Smith, Athletic Director Paul Lueken, and Head Baseball Coach Jeff Messer for their efforts. They will always be a part of the Frontier League family. Also, we want to thank all of the University professors, students and local citizens who assisted in the Slippery Rock operation last season.”
2007 Sliders General Manager Steve Tahsler, who is currently the GM for the Windy City ThunderBolts, is appreciative of the effort of everyone in Slippery Rock. “Being able to work with the students and professors at Slippery Rock University was a tremendous experience, and it is very easy to see why SRU has consistently ranked as one of the top Sport Management programs in the country. The students who ran the team over the summer displayed tremendous enthusiasm and work ethic in overseeing the daily operations, and many have been rewarded with job opportunities in minor league baseball as a result of their work with the Sliders.”
“We also would like to thank Jack Cohen and the staff of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, Stan Kosciuszko and the staff of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, and the Slippery Rock Business Association for their help last season,” Tahsler added.
The Frontier League enters its 16th season in May with twelve teams in seven states. Over 1.5 million fans attended Frontier League games in 2007, with the Windy City ThunderBolts defeating the Washington Wild Things in the Championship Series. The 2008 Frontier League regular season begins on Wednesday, May 21 and runs through Wednesday, September 3. The 2008 All-Star Game will be hosted by the Traverse City Beach Bums on Wednesday, July 16.
Slippery Rock, PA – Rich Pasquale, who served as Facility Manager for the Slippery Rock Sliders, has been named the new Head Baseball Coach at Youngstown State University. Pasquale served as the top assistant at Slippery Rock University in 2007 along with his duties for the Sliders.
In working for the Sliders, Pasquale oversaw the operations of Jack Critchfield Park, managing the field crew and working with the cleaning staff. Pasquale also assisted Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks in player procurement, tryouts, and scouting Frontier League teams.
On the field, Pasquale helped guide Slippery Rock University to a 35-17 record and a second place finish in the PSAC Western Division. Four of Slippery Rock’s eight starting position players were named to the All-PSAC West First Team, including shortstop Phil Butch who went on to sign with the Sliders and led the team in hitting.
Prior to Slippery Rock, Pasquale spent four seasons as the head coach at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, where he set school records for victories and was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year. Pasquale also spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State-Beaver.
“Rich’s enthusiasm and knowledge were huge benefits as we launched the Sliders this summer,” commented general manager Steve Tahsler. “I’m confident that Rich will be successful at Youngstown State and we wish him the best of luck.”
The Slippery Rock Sliders recently concluded their inaugural Frontier League season as part of a unique partnership with Slippery Rock University, where students composed the front office staff and were responsible for the day-to-day activities of the club. Information on the Sliders’ 2008 season and game schedule will be posted at www.slipperyrocksliders.com once it has been finalized.
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, has announced that two pitchers from their inaugural season, right-handed reliever Jared Simon and left-handed starter Dan Schwartz, have been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies. Simon and Schwartz join right-handed pitcher Pete Parise (who was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in June) as players moving to affiliated baseball this season.
Jared Simon signed with the Sliders following his career at Wichita State University. He appeared in 20 games for the Shockers this spring, posting a 0-2 record and 4.29 ERA, striking out 23 batters while walking only two in 27.1 innings. Simon notched six saves for the Sliders this summer to go with a 1-1 record in 22 relief appearances. He held opponents to a .193 batting average while striking out 28 batters against only five walks.
Dan Schwartz saw action in 12 games (11 starts and the continuation of a suspended game), posting a 2-5 record and 4.17 ERA, striking out 41 batters in 69 innings. For Northwestern University this spring, Schwartz compiled a 4-4 record and 5.24 ERA in 12 starts with 53 strikeouts in 68.2 innings.
“Simon was one of the top relievers in the Frontier League this summer,” commented pitching coach Adam Shafer. “His control both at Wichita State and in Slippery Rock foreshadows a good professional baseball career. Dan Schwartz consistently topped 90 mph as a left-hander, and his starting experience in both the Big Ten Conference and the Frontier League makes him an attractive prospect.
The Slippery Rock Sliders recently concluded their inaugural Frontier League season as part of a unique partnership with Slippery Rock University, where students composed the front office staff and were responsible for the day-to-day activities of the club.
SLIPPERY ROCK (August 21, 2007)—When two teams aren’t in the same division, they hardly have the opportunity to get a feel for one another. Matters aren’t helped when the rain factor enters into the equation. Unfortunately for the Slippery Rock Sliders and Gateway Grizzlies, that factor has become reality.
For the second consecutive day, the Sliders and Grizzlies have been delayed due to rain. A doubleheader was scheduled for tonight at 5:35, but continued poor weather conditions have halted play for the second straight night. The doubleheader has been rescheduled for Wednesday. First pitch is set for 12:05 ET at Jack Critchfield Park. Pitchers for game one will be LHP Kory Bucklew for the Sliders and RHP Nathan Roush for Gateway. These pitchers were originally set to do battle on Monday, the day of the first rainout this week.
Game two will see RHP John Bachmann for the Sliders and RHP Jason Herman for the Grizzlies. With Bachmann starting in game two, the Sliders have moved LHP Zac Cline’s next start back to Thursday night when the Sliders travel to River City to face the Rascals.
As the teams prepare for the doubleheader on Wednesday, Gateway will enter play as the 2007 Frontier League Western Division Champions while the Sliders are riding a two-game winning streak. The Sliders are 2-5 in doubleheaders this season, while the Grizzlies come in undefeated in doubleheaders.
SLIPPERY ROCK, PA (August 20, 2007)—Winners of two straight games, the Slippery Rock Sliders will have to wait another day to contend for their third straight victory as mother nature has once again made an impact. The Sliders and Gateway Grizzlies were scheduled for the first of a three game Frontier League series tonight at 7 p.m., but the game has been postponed due to severe weather conditions.
Originally scheduled pitchers for tonight’s game were LHP Kory Bucklew for the Sliders and RHP Nathan Roush for the Grizzlies. The teams will play in a doubleheader on Tuesday that is set to begin at 5:35 ET. Roush will start in game one against the Sliders, while Slippery Rock will send their ace, LHP Zac Cline to the hill. Cline was originally slated to start Tuesday’s game and will make the game one start in order to keep on his normal five day rotation. Gateway RHP Toro Trevino will start in game two. Opposing Trevino will be Bucklew for the second part of the doubleheader. The two teams will conclude the series on Wednesday afternoon at Jack Critchfield Park.
The Grizzlies currently hold the second best mark in the Frontier League and a stranglehold on the Western Division. The Sliders enter play in fourth place in the Eastern Division, but the team holds a .500 record in the month of August.
The game will be continued on Sunday with the first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. Game two, the original game on the schedule, will be made up August 5 as part of a doubleheader between the Sliders and Wild Things.
The Sliders will send Dan Schwartz to the mound Friday in Washington, while Chris Rivera will make the start for the Wild Things. Schwartz will make his professional debut in the ballgame. First pitch is set for 7:05 at Consol Energy Park in Washington.
Parise made his professional debut with the Sliders last month, and appeared in six games for the Sliders, recording an 0-1 record with a 4.65 ERA and 13 strikeouts with only one walk in 10.1 innings. Parise did not allow a run in his last four outings, striking out ten batters while allowing only three hits and not issuing a walk over 6.2 innings.
Parise signed with the Sliders after finishing his career at the University of Pittsburgh this spring. Parise made 11 relief appearances for the Panthers this spring, compiling a 2-1 record with four saves and a 1.12 ERA. He was primarily an outfielder in college, having only pitched six innings prior to the 2007 season.
“The way Pete has been throwing for the past two weeks, we were expecting him to be signed right away,” commented Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “With a fastball consistently in the low 90s plus his outstanding control, Pete has the opportunity for a tremendous career with the Cardinals.”
The Sliders resigned RHP Steve Less to take Parise’s roster spot. Less was with the Sliders during spring training camp, and posted a 4-4 record with a 1.99 ERA as a starting pitcher for Wittenberg College last spring.
The Slippery Rock Sliders are in the middle of a six-game road trip to Evansville and Southern Illinois. The Sliders return home on Tuesday, June 19 for a three game series against the defending Frontier League champion Evansville Otters.
Slippery Rock, PA –The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, has announced the signing of former Slippery Rock University infielder Phil Butch to a contract. Butch will join the Sliders as they begin a six-game road trip in Washington on Tuesday.
Butch was named second team PSAC-West Division this spring for The Rock, hitting .328 with 21 stolen bases in 52 games. He was a first team selection in 2006 when he hit .379 with 12 doubles and eight triples while stealing 34 bases. Butch was named an All-Star in the New York Collegiate Baseball League last summer playing for the Geneese Valley Riverbats.
The Sliders also resigned catcher Mike Darrah. Darrah was signed for training camp after attending an open workout in early May and was one of the final players cut prior to the start of the regular season. In 40 games for West Liberty State University this spring, Darrah hit .368 with 16 doubles, six home runs, and 36 RBI, leading the Hilltoppers in each category. In three seasons at West Liberty, Darrah posted a .356 career batting average.
“Phil was a catalyst for the SRU program over the past four years,” commented Sliders’ director of baseball operations/Slippery Rock University head baseball coach Jeff Messer. “Darrah is a versatile player who was one of the top hitters in the North Atlantic Region the past several years.”
To make room for Butch and Darrah on the active roster, the Sliders released catcher Travis Chapman and third baseman Michael Richardson. The team also transferred RHP Ryan Herbort from the injured list to the retired list.
The Slippery Rock Sliders travel to Washington and Florence this week before returning home to Jack Critchfield Park on Monday, June 11 for a two-game homestand against the Chillicothe Paints.
Although the weather was a bit wet and unseasonably cold, it did not completely dampen the spirits of those attending Fan Fest. A number of area fans and those just curious, took time to visit Critchfield Park and met with Sliders players and Manager Greg Jelks. They also had a special treat – our team mascot The SLIDER was also on hand to "meet and greet" - and sign some autographs. The Slider is shown here with two young fans and pitcher John Katich.
“It was great to see area fans take time to join us on a less than perfect weather day,” commented GM Steve Tahsler. “We sold a number of tickets and Sliders' souvenirs and also gave tours of the ballpark facility.” he said.
The wet conditions did not allow for batting practice and instructions, but plans are underway to host another day at the ballpark, when fans can come back and watch the entire Sliders team work out, during one of their early spring training practice sessions. The date and time of this free, open to the public event will be announced soon.
So if bad weather kept you away from Saturday's activities – stay tuned and we will give you an opportunity to get you back at the ballpark in the very near future.
Among the Slider players who were in attendance were outfielders Jason Curry, Tony Marciante, and Nate Yoho, along with pitchers Brent Gabel and John Katich (shown here). The Slider mascot, presented by Tobacco Free Butler County, also made his first public appearance.
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
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The Sliders enjoyed a day of fun during the Kaleidoscope Festival at Slippery Rock University, but perhaps no one enjoyed it more than Sliders manager Greg Jelks and pitcher Brent Gabel. Hundreds of area residents came to Slippery Rock University's campus and took part in a wide range of activities. Entertainment, arts and crafts, and sunny skies made for a fun-filled day.
The Sliders were represented by Jelks, Gabel, GM Steve Tahsler, Frontier League Deputy Commissioner Leo Trich and a number of interns. Schedules and information about the Sliders professional team were handed out – including invitations to area fans to attend FAN FEST on Saturday April 28that Jack Critchfield Park. Fan Fest will be held in conjunction with Kaleidoscope on Main, which will conclude the Kaleidoscope Arts & Crafts festival.
Fan Fest will be free to the public and will be held from 1pm to 4pm. Manager Jelks will be on hand to pitch batting practice and he will be joined by a number of Slider players and a “special guest” – the new Sliders mascot! This will also be the first day that individual game day tickets will be sold.
So come to the Festival and then come over to the ballpark for a great day of family fun!
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team has hired Adam Shafer as their pitching coach for the 2007 season. Shafer will be making his professional coaching debut after spending the past six seasons as a pitcher.
Shafer spent the past two years in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He began the 2006 season with the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League before being promoted to the Reading Phillies of the Eastern League, combining for a 3-3 record with 18 saves in 40 games. He saw action with the Lakewood Blue Claws (South Atlantic League) along with Clearwater and Reading in 2005, posting a 1-6 record with nine saves and a 3.64 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 54.1 innings in 41 games.
Shafer made his professional debut with the River City Rascals of the Frontier League in 2001. He spent two seasons with River City with a 4-5 record, 13 saves, and a 2.45 ERA. Shafer moved to the Northern League in 2003, where he spent the next two seasons amongst the Sioux City Explorers, Gary RailCats, and St. Paul Saints.
Shafer is a native of St. Charles, Missouri and graduated from Lindenwood University.
“Adam was one of the first people I considered for the pitching coach position, commented Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “He comes highly recommended both from former teammates and colleagues who coached against him.”
“I’m looking forward to coming to Slippery Rock and making the move from the mound to the dugout,” added Shafer. “We have a good base of pitchers under contract, and I’m speaking with scouts and coaches for additional names.”
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, has announced the signing of Clarion native Nate Yoho to a contract for the 2007 season. Yoho, and outfielder, comes to Slippery Rock after spending the past two seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization.
Yoho appeared in 80 games for the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League last season, finishing with a .188 batting average, three home runs, and 21 RBI. He split 2005 between the Power and the Arizona League Brewers, combining for a .290 batting average with two home runs and 29 RBI.
Milwaukee signed Yoho as a non-drafted free agent following his career at the University of Iowa. Yoho, a second team All-Big 10 selection, led the Hawkeyes in doubles, home runs, and RBI in 2004 and in home runs while finishing second in doubles and RBI in 2005.
"I’m counting on Nate to solidify our lineup while adding veteran leadership to the team,” said Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “He has played against top competition the past several years, both in college and professionally.”
Already armed with an Executive of the Year as general manager and now with the addition of a former Frontier League Manager of the Year, the Slippery Rock Sliders are building quite the foundation for their inaugural season.
Greg Jelks, 46, who spent the last five seasons as at helm of the Evansville Otters, was recently named field manager for the expansion Sliders. Jelks, who is the all-time winningest manager in Otters history (236 victories), guided the team to the playoffs in 2003, 2004, and won the Frontier League Championship in 2006. In 2003, Jelks led the Otters to their best record in Franchise history, 51-37, as the team advanced to the Frontier League Championship Series. At the conclusion of the 2003 season Jelks received the Frontier League Manager of the Year Award, the first Otter manager so honored. Evansville returned to the Championship Series in 2004 after finishing 54-42 where they lost to Rockford in the finals. In 2005 Evansville went 52-43, missing the Frontier League playoffs by a game.
Jelks hails from Centre, Alabama where he was standout pitcher and shortstop for Cherokee High School, leading the team to Alabama's Class 3A Championship. He was inducted into the Cherokee County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. The Philadelphia Phillies took notice of Jelks’s while playing for Gadsen State Community College and signed him as a non-drafted free agent in 1980. During his ascent to the major leagues the 6-foot-2 right handed batter played with future major league players Darren Daulton, Chris James and Marvin Freeman. Jelks, who switched to third base after signing with the Phillies organization, made his major league debut as a September call-up in 1987 after hitting .266 with 23 home runs and 79 RBI in 123 games for Triple-A Maine.
Jelks was sent back to Maine in 1988 and was signed to St. Louis’s 40-man roster for 1989. At the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville, Jelks batted .240, with 9 home runs and 33 RBI. After his career in American baseball, Jelks went overseas and played two years of professional baseball in Italy and then moved to Australia, obtaining Australian citizenship in 1995.
From 1997 to 1999, Jelks was a member of the Australian Olympic Baseball team before becoming the hitting coach for Australia in the 2000 Olympics and their defensive coach in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He resides in Perth, Western Australia, from October through February each year where he coaches for the Perth Heath State League Team. Perth recently won Australia’s Claxton Shield tournament for the second consecutive season. Jelks also manages the Morley Eagles, who currently sit atop the Western Australia State League with a record of 20-5-1.
Jelks will endure the 26-hour flight back to the United States in late February to begin scouting for the Slider’s inaugural season. He will arrive in Slippery Rock in mid-April to prepare for the start of training camp.
Jelks, who is by far the most traveled member of the Sliders organization, will look to start the season off with a victory when the Sliders take the field against the Washington Wild Things on May 23.
Story by: Brandon Fox, David Duke & Todd Daugherty
The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, has announced the signing of third baseman Ian Manson and the acquisition of first baseman Jason Von Behren.
Manson comes to the Sliders out of Florida Gulf Coast University, where he hit .364 with 24 doubles (ninth in Division II), seven home runs, and 58 RBI. He finished with a .346 average in 2005 to along with seven doubles, four home runs, and 28 RBI.
Von Behren was acquired from the Fort Worth Cats of the American Association in exchange for future considerations. Von Behren appeared in four games for the Cats in 2006. He previously played at the University of Maryland, where he combined to hit .233 with seven doubles, five home runs, and 29 RBI in 62 games over two seasons.
“Von Behren comes highly recommended for his work ethic and potential, said Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “Injuries limited his playing time at Maryland, and I look for him to compete for a starting role this season.”
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team, presented by Dollar Bank, signed six players to their training camp roster from the 40 players representing 12 states who attended the team’s open tryout this morning.
The list of new Sliders is headlined by former Slippery Rock University pitcher John Katich. Katich, a right-hander, pitched for The Rock from 2002-2005, combining for a 13-9 career record with a 3.55 ERA. Katich’s best season was in 2003 when he led SRU to the Division II World Series with a 7-3 record and a 2.62 ERA. He followed that campaign up with a 5-3, 3.26 season in 2004 before missing most of his senior season due to injuries. Katich joins former SRU teammate Jason Curry on the Sliders’ roster.
Also signing with the Sliders are shortstop Omar Quiles and left-handed pitcher Justin Robinson. Quiles recently graduated from Francis Marion University where he posted a .342 career batting average and led the Patriots to the Division II World Series in 2006. Robinson pitched for the Chillicothe Paints in 2004, compiling a 1-2 record with one save, a 3.18 ERA, and 23 strikeouts in 22.2 innings over 17 games.
Three additional players were offered contracts but have yet to officially sign. Once their contracts are returned, the Sliders’ will have 26 of the 35 roster spots for training camp filled.
“Overall, I was very pleased with the turnout and the signings that we made,” analyzed Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “Katich and Robinson will help bolster our pitching staff, while Quiles provides us some depth in the middle infield.”
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
RHP Brent Gabel Acquired from Wild Things
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team has announced the completion of a trade with the Washington Wild Things sending right-handed pitcher Brent Gabel, a graduate of Conneautville Valley High School, to Slippery Rock in exchange for future considerations.
Gabel, a native of Conneautville, Pennsylvania, made his professional debut with the Wild Things in 2006, appearing in nine games (six starts) and finishing with a 2-2 record and 6.33 ERA.
Gabel got off to a strong start for the Washington last year, posting a 2-0 record and 3.18 ERA in his first five outings.
Gabel came to the Wild Things out of Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee, where he was the South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2005, posting a 10-1 record and 3.12 ERA with 80 strikeouts against only 27 walks in 98 innings. Gabel was named a NCAA Division II Preseason All-American in 2006 and finished with a 9-3 record and 3.64 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 84 innings. Gabel was identified by Baseball America magazine as a top ten Division II prospect for the 2006 Major League Baseball draft, and was named All-Region both seasons at Tusculum.
Gabel also spent a season pitching at Penn State-Behrend, where he finished with a 7-3 record, six saves, 3.26 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 60.2 innings. “Gabel impressed me when my Evansville team faced him last season,” commented Sliders’ field manager Greg Jelks. “I expect him to battle for a spot in our starting rotation.” Commenting on the trade, “I’m excited about being able to play close to home and be part of the Sliders’ inaugural season,” said Gabel.
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Jon Oliver to a contract for the 2007 season. Oliver currently serves as the pitching coach at Wooster (Ohio) College, where he was named a NCAA Division III Second Team All-American in 2005. Oliver was also selected to the North Coast Athletic Conference All-Star teams during all four seasons he played at Wooster.
During his freshman season, Oliver was named NCAC Newcomer of the Year and was also named second-team all-conference after finishing with an 8-2 record and a 3.91 earned run average. Following the season, Oliver underwent Tommy John surgery to repair his injured right arm, but returned to the team in 2004, less than a year after surgery. He was again selected to second-team all conference after recording a 6-2 record and a 3.70 ERA.
His junior season proved to bring more success as Oliver was named second-team All-American and pitcher of the year in the NCAC. He accumulated a 7-0 record with a 2.29 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. Oliver didn’t allow an earned run in seven of his starts and recorded complete-game shutouts in three games in leading the Scots to a third place finish in the Division III Baseball Championships.
In 2006, Oliver’s senior season, he repeated as NCAC pitcher-of-the-year after improving his numbers yet again. Oliver accumulated an 8-0 record, with a 1.83 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 68 innings of work, leading the conference in ERA, tying for first in victories, and ranking second in strikeouts.
The Slippery Rock Sliders are a unique partnership between the Frontier League and Slippery Rock University with student interns holding most of the traditional front office positions and academic coursework directly integrated into the start-up of the club. The Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team has announced the signing of shortstop Eric Bonds to a contract for the 2007 season. Bonds led NCAA Division III programs in runs scored in both 2005 and 2006 while playing for Alvernia College in Reading, and was honored on All-Conference teams during all four seasons of his collegiate career.
Bonds was named First Team Pennsylvania Athletic Conference in both 2005 and 2006. Last spring, he finished with a .410 batting average, nine doubles, six triples, four home runs, 35 rbi, 63 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in leading the Crusaders to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. In 2005, Bonds compiled a .455 batting average (eighth in D-III), 16 doubles, five triples, seven home runs, 44 rbi, 75 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases, and was named Preseason All-American by Baseball America magazine for the 2006 season.
The Pennsylvania Athletic Conference named Bonds their Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2006. He left Alvernia as their career leader in hits, runs scored, triples, and stolen bases to go along with a .416 career batting average.
“Eric put up tremendous numbers across the board all four seasons he was at Alvernia, which is one of the top programs in Division III baseball,” commented Sliders general manager Steve Tahsler. “We look for him to be a key cog in our offense this season.”
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock University’s all-time winningest baseball coach brings his 21 years of experience to serve as the director of baseball operations for the Slippery Rock Sliders.
Jeff Messer, current Slippery Rock University Baseball Coach, has compiled 598 career wins, an average of average of 32 per season. His resume includes 14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division titles, two PSAC championships, two PSAC runner-up finishes, four NCAA Division II regional championships and two regional runner-up honors. In his illustrious career he has managed teams to the NCAA Division II World Series four times - 1989, 1997, 2000, and 2003.
"We are very fortunate to have someone like Jeff Messer to help us in this important role", stated Frontier League Deputy Commissioner Leo Trich. "His ability to evaluate player talent and his tremendous contacts, will be of great assistance to (GM) Steve Tahsler and team manager Greg Jelks".
Messer is the winningest head coach among active Pennsylvania Division II coaches and third along all-time Division II coaches in the state. His great coaching has not gone unnoticed; he has been voted coach of the year ten times in the PSAC-West. Some of Messer’s off field activities include fundraising, running summer camps and clinics.
The Slider’s first director of baseball operations is originally from Lee, Massachusettswhere he played shortstop for the Springfield College Pride. At Springfield he earned a degree in physical education and continued his education at Oklahoma City University where he received a master’s degree in counseling. His baseball career continued after college in 1981 where he played and coach professionally in Holland. Preceding his arrival in Slippery Rock, Messer began his coaching career in 1983 at Westfield State College.
The ultimate responsibility of the Baseball Operations Director, deals with the signing the players. During the six weeks Slippery Rock University had off from December to January, Messer spent a majority of that time scouting players and signing them to the roster. The job does not conflict with his employment with the University. He sets his evenings aside for work with the Sliders. Evenings are the best time to contact players, according to Messer, so it fits in perfect with his schedule.
There are different techniques utilized in signing and scouting players at the minor league level. Players become discovered from word of mouth from college coaches, pro release sheets and self-promotion through e-mail and phone calls. At this time there are 15 players signed to the roster and another 15 to 20 players will be signed after the Slider’s tryout on April 15 and the Frontier League’s tryout on the Washington Wild Thing’s Falconi Field May 7 and 8. Players on the roster will report for spring training May 15. The final roster must be cut down to 24 by May 23, the Sliders first game against the Washington Wild Things.
Messer’s other responsibilities with the Sliders include ordering equipment, including wood bats, practice and game day uniforms and field gear. He is in charge of all logistical elements such as hotel accommodations for the visiting teams and transportation for the Sliders. Messer estimates the team will travel 14,000 miles in the bus this summer.
Messer is relying on his long history of networking to scout players to bring them into the Sliders organization. Coaches that he has associated with in the past have called and e-mailed Messer to report on possible prospects. Other coaches who gather annually in Orlando, Fla. for the National Coaches Conference have spread the word about the Sliders franchise and have contributed to Messer’s look for new talent. As director of operations for the Sliders, Messer feels that coaching at a Division II College parallels the duties he has with the Sliders. Only the titles he now carries vary. Signing and scouting players at each level differentiate only in the money the professional players receive. At both levels he’s always looking for high caliber players. Players on both the collegiate and pro levels are looking for someone to give them a chance.
“People are surprised at the level and intensity of the Frontier League,” said Messer. “The players give 110 percent to live their dreams. They know this is last chance to make it through the baseball world”. Messer’s close ties with Slippery Rock University have made him a perfect fit to work for the Sliders. He feels that the Sliders coming to town will provide a positive impact economically and socially. “A Sliders game provides entertainment for the entire family at a low cost,” said Messer. “The Slider’s relationship with the University has been positive for both the community and the University”.
Messer’s impressive resume gives the Sliders a well-rounded staff that is already armed with two-time Executive of the Year, Steve Tahsler. Add another ingredient, ten-time coach of the year Coach Messer to the mix and you have a formula for a winning team. The Sliders organization has laid the groundwork to have a great franchise and front office.
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team has announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Greg Lasinski to a contract for the 2007 season. Lasinski will be spending his second year in the Frontier League this summer, having split 2006 between the Washington Wild Things and the River City Rascals.
Lasinski appeared in five games for Washington, posting a 1-0 record and 1.54 ERA with eight strikeouts in 11.2 innings. He was traded to River City, for whom he posted a 1-1 record and 6.75 ERA in nine games. Between the two clubs, Lasinski made 13 relief appearances with a 2.05 ERA.
Lasinski came to the Frontier League from Salisbury (Maryland) University, where he posted a 17-5 record with two saves and a 3.06 ERA in two seasons.
Lasinski, who is currently an assistant coach at Salisbury, was named 2nd Team Division III All-American in 2004 and led the Sea Gulls to the NCAA Tournament both seasons, including a birth in the D-III World Series in 2004.
A graduate of Derry High School, Lasinski was twice an all-conference pitcher for Westmoreland County Community College before transferring to Salisbury."Greg brings a season of Frontier League experience to our bullpen, yet will still be classified as a rookie for 2007," commented Sliders general manager Steve Tahsler. "We received positive reports from Frontier League managers regarding his ability, and look forward to his playing a key role on our staff."
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA – After a month of deliberations, 92 unique team name submissions, and nearly 1,000 votes in the Name the Team contest, Slippery Rock Professional Baseball announced "Sliders" as the team’s nickname. Sliders had the most nominations in the first round of the contest and received nearly twice as many votes as any of the other three finalists (Boulders, Rockers, and Sluggers). Also unveiled was the team logo, featuring a baseball sliding through a circle. Forest green will be the team’s primary color, accented by black and gray.
The inaugural season logo and merchandise were designed by Ibistek Apparel of Butler, who will be serving as the official merchandiser for Slippery Rock Professional Baseball. Souvenirs are available through Ibistek Apparel’s webpage (www.ibistekapparel.com) and through a link at www.srprobaseball.com.
"We’d like to thank the fans who submitted names, voted in the contest, and who showed up for tonight’s announcement," said Sliders general manager Steve Tahsler. "We hope that the response to our contest is indicative of the strong following we strive to develop during our inaugural season." Dr. Amy Walters, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Slippery Rock University, was chosen as the winner from the ten people who submitted "Sliders" as a team name choice. Dr. Walters (shown with GM Steve Tahsler in photo below) will receive four tickets to the Sliders’ inaugural home game, be introduced with the team on behalf of the fan base, and participate in the first pitch ceremonies on Opening Night.
Slippery Rock Professional Baseball will begin its inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Mansfield University’s Colby Rickabaugh Honored in 2005 and 2006
Slippery Rock, PA – The Slippery Rock Sliders professional baseball team has announced the signing of outfielder Colby Rickabaugh to a contract for the 2007 season. Rickabaugh comes to Slippery Rock out of Mansfield University, where he was voted First Team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference both seasons he played.
Rickabaugh hit .377 in 55 games for the Mountaineers last spring, leading the team in doubles (17) and rbi (57) while tying for the team lead in triples (3) and home runs (7). He also made 17 relief appearances as Mansfield’s closer, finishing with a 2-2 record, four saves, and a 3.96 ERA.
Rickabaugh was honored for his pitching in 2005, compiling a 1-0 record with four saves and a 2.49 ERA in 12 games. In the field, he hit .255 with five home runs and 36 rbi.
"Colby is the best all-around outfielder in the PSAC that I’ve seen in a long time," said Slippery Rock University head coach Jeff Messer. "He is a complete ballplayer with a huge upside"
The Slippery Rock Sliders will begin their inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA –Slippery Rock Professional Baseball has announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Billye Hollister to a contract for the 2007 season.
Hollister was named an ABCA Division III 2ndTeam All-American in 2006 while pitching for Frostburg State University, along with being named the Mid-Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year and co-Player of the Year in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference for the second consecutive season.
Hollister finished his senior season with a 10-1 record, 2.18 ERA, and 80 strikeouts against only 26 walks in 86.2 innings, leading the Bobcats to the AMCC title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He led the conference in strikeouts, tied for first (and fourth in the country) in victories, and finished second in ERA.
In 2005, Hollister compiled a 7-3 record with a 1.75 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 82.1 innings. He pitched for the Allegany County Nitros of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, posting a 5-2 record and 0.92 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 56.2 innings. “Hollister is a quality, big-game pitcher,” said former La Roche College head coach and current Slippery Rock University assistant coach Rich Pasquale, whose teams faced Hollister for four seasons. “We always knew that he would be prepared when facing us.” Also signing with the team is outfielder Tony Marciante, who played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh and Winthrop University. Marciante helped lead the Pittsburgh Pandas, of the Tri-State Collegiate Sumer Baseball Laegue, to the National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series title last summer. Slippery Rock Professional Baseball will begin its inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Slippery Rock, PA –Slippery Rock Professional Baseball has announced the signing of its first player in preparation for its inaugural season. Outfielder Jason Curry, a Slippery Rock High School and Slippery Rock University graduate, becomes the first player to officially sign a contract with the new team.
Curry spent four seasons at Slippery Rock University, culminating with a .312 batting average, six home runs, and 24 RBI in 30 games during his senior season in 2004. While at SRU, Curry played in the 2003 NCAA Division II World Series.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Jason to continue his dream of playing pro baseball,” said Slippery Rock University head coach Jeff Messer. “With his outstanding work ethic, Jason will be a valuable asset to the team.”
Slippery Rock Professional Baseball will begin its inaugural season on Wednesday, May 23, at the Washington Wild Things. The home opener will be on Tuesday, May 29, against the Florence Freedom. 32 home games will be played during the summer at Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Washington is no longer considered the Frontier League's version of Siberia. And the Wild Things are no longer the only team from Pennsylvania in the thriving independent baseball league.
The Frontier League announced Monday that Slippery Rock has been granted an expansion franchise for the 2007 season. The team will play at 1,500-seat Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University. It will be the first professional baseball team to call Butler County home in 55 years, since the Pirates' affiliate in the Middle Atlantic League played at Pullman Park in Butler.
The announcement capped a three-year undertaking by Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee to locate a franchise in western Pennsylvania or northern West Virginia. When the Johnstown franchise was moved to Florence, Ky., following the 2002 season, it left Washington as the league's eastern-most team, 195 miles from its closest rival, the Chillicothe Paints. The isolation from the rest of the league led to Lee jokingly referring to Washington as the league's Siberia.
"Washington is no longer Siberia," Lee said Monday. "We've needed a franchise in the general vicinity of Washington and that's one of the reasons we chose Slippery Rock."
The Frontier League is expanding from 10 to 12 teams. Marion, Ill., was granted an expansion franchise in August. The team will be called the Southern Illinois Miners and play in a new 5,345-seat ballpark.
The Slippery Rock franchise will be an association between Slippery Rock University and the Frontier League. Details of the team's ownership are still being finalized, Lee said. The franchise's daily operations, however, will be in capable hands. Steve Tahsler, who is entering his 11th season in the league, will be in charge of the franchise. Tahsler was the Frontier League's Executive of the Year the past two years when he was vice president/general manager of the Evansville Otters.
The venture is unique in that it will allow Slippery Rock students to receive hands-on experience in all aspects of running a professional baseball team.
"Slippery Rock has one of the best sports management schools in the country and we want to tie into that," Lee said.
The ownership and working relationship with the league are not the only unique aspects of the franchise. The league released its schedule for 2007 and Slippery Rock will play only 32 home games.
"Some owners wanted a full-blown travel team as the 12th team, like we had two years ago with the Ohio Valley Redcoats," Lee said. "Those owners liked having the extra home games. Other owners didn't want a travel team. This is a compromise."
The Wild Things will get two extra home dates. They will play 50 of their 96 games at Falconi Field including the season opener May 23 against Slippery Rock.
The addition of Slippery Rock enabled the league to split into three divisions. Washington, Slippery Rock, Chillicothe and Florence are in the East Division. Traverse City, Kalamazoo, Rockford and Windy City comprise the Central with Southern Illinois, Evansville, Gateway and River City in the West. Each division winner, along with remaining team with the best record, advances to the playoffs.
Teams will play 16 games against each division opponent and six against teams in the other divisions. One change in the schedule has all division series being either two or four games in length. There are no three-game series between division rivals.
An expansion draft for Southern Illinois and Slippery Rock will be held Monday. Each franchise can protect up to 15 players from its final roster for 2006. Teams cannot lose more than two players in the draft.
The Wild Things had 23 players at season's end with three -- catcher Matt Bok, outfielder Chris Carter and pitcher Matt Squires -- exceeding the league's age limit for 2007. That leaves five players who will be exposed to the expansion draft. After a team has a player selected in the draft, it can add a 16th player to its protected list.
The Slippery Rock Professional Baseball team has it’s first batch of players, as nine were selected in the Frontier League’s expansion draft, including all-star catcher Jason Arrowood shown here.
Over the next several weeks, more players are likely to be signed. In addition, a number of league try-outs will be held, giving the Slippery Rock Pro team an opportunity to discover additional talent.
Slippery Rock, PA – Minor league baseball will return to Butler County for the first time in 55 years as the Frontier League is bringing an expansion team to Jack Critchfield Park on the campus of Slippery Rock University for the 2007 season.
The association between the Slippery Rock University and the Frontier League will be unique it will allow the students of Slippery Rock University to receive hands-on experience in all aspects of setting up and running a professional baseball team.
"We are very pleased and very excited to be in Slippery Rock and to have such a unique opportunity to work directly with the university on this summer's project," said Frontier League commissioner Bill Lee. “"The co-operation by the President and that athletic department has be great and we hope to make this a win-win arrangement for all involved."
Slippery Rock Professional Baseball will be overseen by Steve Tahsler, who is entering his 11th season in the Frontier League. Tahsler was most recently the vice president/general manager for the Evansville Otters, and was voted the Frontier League’s Executive of the Year in both 2005 and 2006.
“I’m excited to be part this unique partnership and for the opportunity to work with students at Slippery Rock University as we prepare for the return of professional baseball to Butler County,” Tahsler commented.
The Frontier League is an independent professional baseball league featuring 12 teams in seven Midwestern states. In its four seasons, the Frontier League has seen over 450 players signed by Major League Baseball organizations, with 14 of these players appearing in MLB regular season games.
Training camp for Slippery Rock Professional Baseball will begin on Wednesday, May 9, with the first regular season game scheduled for Wednesday, May 23. The inaugural Frontier League game at Jack Critchfield Park will take place on Tuesday, May 29.
Additional information about Slippery Rock Professional Baseball can be found at www.srprobaseball.com or by contacting the team at 724-738-4903.
