The On-Deck Circle

Santa Arrives This Saturday at Volcanoes Stadium by Helicopter

The Volcanoes Staff & Crater join the Miracle of Christmas Celebration.

Friday night, December 5^th, will be great fun for the Volcanoes staff, and their family, as we help the Keizer Food Bank, and the Marion Polk Food Share, by collecting canned food at the Miracle of Christmas in Keizer.  The Gubser neighborhood of Keizer puts on a beautiful display of lights for the community to drive through and enjoy. 

Each car that comes through is asked to donate food for the local food banks or a cash donation is gladly accepted.  Please stop by and say hello to all of us, and help us give back this holiday season so no family goes hungry.

Fundraising with the Volcanoes has become BIG!

The 2009 baseball season is quickly filling up with non-profits, and other organizations raising money for their cause.  Fundraising with the Volcanoes has proven to be very beneficial to several organizations wanting to  raise funds.  The following organizations have already committed to the 2009 season for their fundraisers,

Garten Services, CASA, YMCA, Abiqua School, Rockwest Training Company, Special Olympics of Polk County, ALS Association, Silverton Together, Family Building Blocks, and the Woodburn High School Decca Club.

If you are interested in a "night at the ballpark", please call quickly as dates are filling up fast!  Contact Kelly Hurst at 503-390-2225 or by email at: k.hurst@volcanoesbaseball.com.

Volcanoes Winter Sports Banquet Set for Friday, January 30

San Francisco Giants CEO and Managing General Partner Headlines Banquet !

The Salem-Keizer Volcanoes received confirmation the guest speaker for the 2009 Volcanoes Winter Sports Banquet will be the Giants new Chief Executive Officer and Managing General Partner, Mr. Bill Neukom.   Mr. Neukom's visit will mark the first time a Giants' CEO has visited the Volcanoes and the Mid-Willamette Valley.   The 2^nd Annual Volcanoes Winter Sports Banquet, which had a very successful debut in 2008, will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009, in the Cascade Hall at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.   This event is one you won't want to miss.   Mark your calendars now.  

Mr. Neukom recently became the Giant's top executive upon the retirement of Mr. Peter Magowan.   Prior to this position, Mr. Neukom spent 22 years with the world's biggest software company, Microsoft, which grew from a $1 million startup company to a $28 billion powerhouse during his tenure.   As Microsoft's lead attorney, he grew the legal department from a two-person operation to 200 lawyers and 400 other professionals, and led Microsoft in its seven-year landmark legal victory against Apple.   Mr. Neukom, 66, is the immediate Past-President of the American Bar Association which is the voice for 413,000 lawyers nationally.  

Also in attendance will be Tom Trebelhorn who is returning to the Volcanoes as Manager for his second year.   During 2008, "Treb's Volcanoes" won the Western Division Title, and barely lost the Northwest League Championship to the Spokane Indians.   Treb was the Major League Manager for the Milwaukee Brewers for seven years, 1987 Major League Manager of the Year, and Managed the Chicago Cubs for one year, followed by seven years coaching the Baltimore Orioles.   Joining Treb will be Steve Decker, who guided the 2006-2007 Northwest League Back-To-Back Championships.  "Deck's Volcanoes" were named the 2007 National Minor League Team of the Year.   In 2008, Steve led the San Jose Giants to the Northern Division Championship game, losing to Stockton.   He was just promoted once again to lead the 2009 AA Giants team - the Connecticut Defenders.   Other Giants personnel and players will be in attendance for free autographs.

Other activities include a no-host social hour, a silent auction benefiting Crater's Community Care Fund, and a speed pitch tent to test your pitching velocity and other interactive games, and Crater will be on hand to entertain the kids.    There will be an outstanding dinner prior to our guest speaker.   Dinners may be reserved now at a cost of $25, or group tables (seating 8) for $200 that will include a 'special guest' (Giants or Volcanoes personnel and/or player) seated at your table.*  (*limited availability)        

This is a great family event, with lots of fun for the entire family.   Call the Volcanoes now at 503-390-2225 to reserve your seats and/or table.   We invite everyone to attend the banquet, and learn first-hand the future of the San Francisco Giants and have a glimpse of the 2009 Volcanoes.

2009 Schedule Announced

Considered the best Schedule Yet!

FORMER VOLCANOES GARNER POST-SEASON HONORS

San Francisco Giants right-handed starter Tim Lincecum-2006 Volcanoes pitcher-

has captured virtually every award he's eligible to win.   He garnered National League Pitcher of the Year honors in the Players Choice, and the Sporting News voting.   He also received the prestigious 2008 National League Cy Young Award in balloting conducted by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.   In 2008, he led the Major Leagues with 265 strikeouts in 227 innings.   He amassed 10 or more strikeouts nine times, equaling a San Francisco-era franchise record set by Jason Schmidt in 2004.   Twice Lincecum reached a career high of 13 strikeouts.   He ended the season with an 18-5 record, and a 2.62 ERA.

In 2006, Lincecum was drafted 10th overall by the San Francisco Giants, becoming the first player from the University of Washington to be taken in the first round.   He signed for a $2.025 million signing bonus on June 30, which at the time was the highest amount the organization had ever paid to any amateur player.

Lincecum made his professional debut on July 26, 2006 with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes against the Vancouver Canadians, pitching one inning and striking out all three batters he faced.   After his second outing on July 31 against the Boise Hawks, in which he pitched three innings, striking out seven and allowing just one base runner, he was promoted to the High Class-A San Jose Giants.

Right-handed pitcher, Kyle Nicholson - 2008 Volcanoes pitcher - was voted 2008 MiLB's Short Season Pitcher of the Year after a standout campaign for the Arizona Rookie League Giants.   Twenty-three years old, and a 2007 draft out of Texas A & M in the 7^th round, Nicholson finished the season with a 6-1 record and a 1.15 ERA in 11 starts.   He displayed remarkable control as he issued only three walks, compared to 54 strikeouts over 62 2/3 innings pitched.  

Right-handed pitcher Kevin Pucetas - 2006 Volcanoes pitcher - baffled South Atlantic League and California League hitters, and was selected as 2008 MiLB Class A Starting Pitcher of the Year.   Pucetas had 15 wins, coupled with a South Atlantic League-leading 1.86 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 145 1/3 innings.   His ERA ranked first among all full-season starters in Minor League Baseball, and received the South Atlantic League Most Outstanding Pitcher award.   Because his ERA was the best of all starting minor league pitchers, Kevin won the prestigious "Most Spectacular Pitcher" award, and a $7,500 cash award.

San Francisco Giant's 2008 1^st Round Draft Pick, Catcher Buster Posey - 2008 Volcanoes catcher - had an outstanding fall campaign in Hawaii playing for the Waikiki BeachBoys and it did not go unnoticed as the star catcher earned the # 1 prospect ranking in the entire league according to Baseball America.   Posey saved his best for last in Hawaii when he belted a key three-run homer to give Waikiki the win in the Championship game.   Buster was fourth in the league with a .338 batting average, and voted best defensive catcher.

Three former Volcanoes pitchers were recently added to the San Francisco Giants 40-man roster - 2006-2007 Volcanoes pitcher Jesse English, 2006-2007 Volcanoes pitcher Waldis Joaquin and 2005 Volcanoes pitcher Joe Martinez.   Twenty-two players on the present SF Giants 40-man roster are former Volcanoes.   They are:

2006-2007 Pitcher Jesse English

2005          Pitcher Alex Hinshaw

2006-2007 Pitcher Waldis Joaquin

2006          Pitcher Tim Lincecum

2001          Pitcher Noah Lowry

2005          Pitcher Joe Martinez

2003          Pitcher Pat Misch

2006          Pitcher Kelvin Pichardo

2005          Pitcher Sergio Romo

2004          Pitcher Jonathan Sanchez

1999          Pitcher Jack Taschner

2001          Catcher Steve Holm

2005          Catcher Pablo Sandoval

2006          Infielder Brian Bocock

2004          Infielder John Bowker

2006          Infielder Emmanuel Burriss

2004          Infielder Kevin Frandsen

2008          Infielder Conor Gillaspie

2003          Infielder Travis Ishikawa

2006          Infielder Ryan Rohlinger

2002          Outfielder Fred Lewis

2003          Outfielder Nate Schierholtz

STADIUM PRO SHOP HOURS EXTENDED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

You'll find the best gift ideas at the Volcanoes Stadium Pro Shop this holiday season. New 2008 apparel - t-shirts, sweatshirts and caps have arrived. Take pride in your Volcanoes most recent success as you gear-up for the upcoming season

Perennial best-sellers include Volcanoes' tickets, gift cards, jackets, hooded and traditional sweatshirts, men's and women's t-shirts, golf shirts, caps, baseball cards and collectibles.  The Pro Shop has baseball caps from every major league team and an excellent inventory of women's and children's clothing including infant rompers.

On Saturdays from now until Christmas bring the kids to visit Santa and receive a free e-photo sent directly to your email. Santa is available from 11am - 3pm Saturday December 6^th, 13^th & 20^th.

Pro Shop hours are from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and noon to 5:00 on Sunday

SANTA'S SPECIAL

$10 Box Seat Tickets !!

CLUBHOUSE CHAT with JERRY WALKER

Words from the Co-Owner

Bill Tucker, Rick Nelson and I will all be attending the Baseball Winter Meetings next week in Las Vegas.   During our time in Vegas we will meet with the San Francisco Giants and also attend the Northwest League's Annual Meeting.   We expect to visit with the Giants Manager, Bruce Bochy, and front office personnel Dick Tidrow, Fred Stanley, Bobby Evans, Yeshayah Goldfarb and Alan Lee -- they all are steadfast in their support of the Volcanoes and look forward to another Championship year in 2009.  We likely will also have to opportunity to talk baseball with Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken.  Ripken Baseball owns the Augusta Greenjackets - just one level above the Volcanoes in the Giants' Minor League System.

 

There are hundreds of trees in the parking lot at Volcanoes Stadium.  The Stadium is donating use of the parking lot to the Keizer Knights baseball team as they fundraise to send the team to Cooperstown, New York (Home of the Baseball Hall of Fame) next summer to represent Oregon in a 12U Baseball Tournament.  The Knights were selected out of some 1,200 teams to play in the National Tournament slated for August 15-21 at Cooperstown's Dreams Park.  All trees are sold on a donations basis with 100% of the revenue going to the kids.  Please come out and support our local team.  The tree sale is running every day through December 23rd and is open until 7pm each night. 

 

There has been no official announcement, but, we expect to have Tom Trebelhorn return as the Volcanoes Manager for next season.  We feel honored and blessed to have Treb.  It's not often, at this level, to have a former Major League Manager, who has logged over 20 years managing and coaching in the big leagues, guiding your club!  Treb's first year with the Volcanoes was a great success as he led the team to its 3rd consecutive Western Division Championship.  We look forward to Treb's return.

 

Have a great Holiday Season and Merry Christmas !

email: Volcanoes@Volcanoesbaseball.com

phone: 503-390-2225

web: http://www.volcanoesbaseball.com