The Official Newsletter of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Volume 9, Issue 2, April 2006
Welcome! Since 1997, Volcanoes Stadium has been the place where Giant dream begin, the first professional step for those hoping to wear the uniform of the Giants. As the 2006 season begins, five former Volcanoes are with San Francisco: pitchers Noah Lowry, Scott Munter and Jack Taschner, first baseman Lance Niekro and outfielder Jason Ellison. The list will grow; almost 90 more Salem-Keizer alumni are in the Giants’ minor league system. As they embark on a new season, our preparations continue for the Volcanoes’ 10th Anniversary Season. Installation of the Stadium’s new video board begins later this month and the season opens Father’s Day, June 18, with our annual pre-season game against the College All-Stars. Let’s look at what’s ahead.
To go to any of the Stories Listed Below Simply Click on the Red Headline
In This Issue:2.TICKET PACKAGES, GROUP NIGHTS POPULAR AS 2006 SEASON APPROACHES
4.FINALISTS NAMED FOR VOLCANOES 10TH ANNIVERSARY ALL-STAR TEAM
9.WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (Former Volcanoes with other Organizations)
VOLCANOES TO HOST COLLEGE ALL-STARS ON FATHER’S DAY
For
the second consecutive year, Volcanoes’ fans will have the first opportunity to
see the team on Father’s Day, June 18, when they host the College All-Stars in a
pre-season game starting at 5:05. Salem-Keizer will open Northwest League play
against defending champion Spokane on Monday, June 19, and return to Volcanoes
Stadium to open a five-game series with Boise on Saturday, June 24. The home
opener begins at 7:05.
The Father’s Day game will also be the first opportunity for fans to see the Volcanoes’ spectacular new video graphics board, positioned just above the right field wall. The high tech board will display life-sized images and current statistics of the players, serve as an auxiliary scoreboard and include a speed pitch indicator to display the speed of each pitch. Installation is scheduled to begin at the end of April and completed by May 15.
Tickets for the Father’s Day game with the College All-Stars are now on sale. Upper box seats are $10.00, reserved seats are $8.00 and general admission tickets are $6.00. As was the case last year, season ticket holders will receive tickets for the All-Star game as part of their season ticket package and do not need to purchase tickets for the game, UNLESS they want additional seats. Tickets for this game are not included in the 5-, 10- or 19-game ticket packages.
TICKET PACKAGES, GROUP NIGHTS POPULAR AS 2006 SEASON APPROACHES
Season
tickets, ticket packages and group functions continue to be popular with
Salem-Keizer fans as the Volcanoes roll out the red carpet with their best
lineup of entertainment and attractions for the team’s 10th
Anniversary Season.
The 2006 season offers six fireworks shows, an impressive lineup of special attractions including the Famous San Diego Chicken, Wacky Wednesdays, Baseball Bingo on Sundays and a nationally recognized series of community outreach events. Organizations wanting to have a group outing at the Stadium are particularly encouraged to contact the Volcanoes ticket office as soon as possible to ensure the availability of priority dates.
For fans able to attend just a few games during the summer, the 10-game and five-game ticket plans remain very attractive options, offering premium events and attractions at a bargain price.
Besides a trio of fireworks shows (July 14, August 11, September 1), fans purchasing the 10-game package will also enjoy Opening Night (June 24), The Spitball Gang (June 28), the Award Winning Frisbee Dogs (July 5), Baseball Bingo (July 16), The Famous Chicken (July 26), Crater’s Birthday Party (August 5), Hometown Heroes and Team Photo Giveaway (August 27) and the Baseball Card Set Giveaway (with the fireworks show on September 1).
The 10-game plan gives fans the opportunity to see every team in the Northwest League. Cost for all 10 games is just $80.
The five-game schedule for 2006 includes Opening Night (June 24), Roberto the Magnificent and Free Baseball Giveaway (July 12), Baseball Bingo and the Turn Back the Clock Game (July 23), Fireworks Friday (August 4) and The Spitball Gang (August 23). Five-game plans are $40.
Season tickets and 19-game ticket plans are also available. For information, to order tickets or to book group functions, contact the ticket office at Volcanoes Stadium at 503-390-2225, ext. 3007.
LANCE NIEKRO WILL START AT FIRST BASE FOR SAN FRANCISCO
For
the first time, a former Salem-Keizer player will start the season as a regular
position player in the Major Leagues.
Lance Niekro, who won
the Northwest League batting title and earned All-Star honors with the Volcanoes
in 2000, earned the starting nod
after an outstanding spring
when he hit .375 (24-64) and led the Giants with 20 RBI’s. Niekro split time
with J. T. Snow at 1B a year ago, batting .252 with 12 homers and 46 RBI’s in
113 games. After hitting .297 with 10 home runs prior to the All-Star break, he
was beset with
nagging injuries and slumped over the final two months of the season.
Outfielder
Jason Ellison, who hit .264 in 131 games with San Francisco last season, earned
the Giants’ final outfield spot with another exceptional spring. Ellison led
the team in batting (.403), hits (25), runs scored (17) and On Base Percentage
(.493). A starter much of last season after injuries to Barry Bonds and Marquis
Grissom, “Elly” became a reserve after Randy Winn was obtained from Seattle,
July 30. Now, with the off-season acquisition of Steve Finley, the versatile
Ellison figures to be a key reserve off the bench once again.
Three former
Volcanoes are on the Giants’ pitching staff, including starter Noah Lowry who
inked a four-year, $9.25 million contract with San Francisco on Sunday, April
2. Lowry, a former first round draft choice who played with Salem-Keizer in
2001, led the Giants in wins (13), innings (204.2), ERA (3.78) and strikeouts
(172) in 2005. After logging a 6-0 record as a rookie in 2004, Lowry struggled
through the first half of last season with a 5-9 record and 5.07 ERA. However,
after the All-Star break, he was 8-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He was the National
League’s Pitcher of the Month for August after going 5-0 with a 0.69 ERA.
Scott
Munter, who played with S-K in both 2000 and 2001, was San Francisco’s biggest
surprise in 2005. A 47th round draft choice, Munter was 2-0 with a
2.56 ERA in 45 games out of the bullpen. He went on the disabled list with an
elbow inflammation August 12 and made only one appearance the rest of the
season. This spring, the big sinker ball specialist did not allow a run in
eight games.
Jack
Taschner blossomed as a reliever last season. He opened the season in Fresno
where he was 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA and 10 saves in 44 games. Called up to San
Francisco, he appeared in 24 games, logging a 2-0 record and a 1.59 ERA. The
southpaw, who broke in with the Volcanoes in 1999 and has battled arm problems
throughout his career, was 1-1 with two saves this spring.
FINALISTS NAMED FOR VOLCANOES 10TH ANNIVERSARY ALL-STAR TEAM
Fans will soon have the opportunity to help select the Volcanoes 10th Anniversary All-Star Team. Voting for the commemorative squad will begin this spring with the team to be announced in late July. Three finalists were chosen for each position as well as designated hitter. Ten starters and eight relief pitchers will be on the ballot. Five of the starters and four relievers will be selected for the All-Star Team. Voting should be based on the performance of the players with the Volcanoes.
Minimum requirements included 40 games for position players and either 10 starts or 45 innings for starting pitchers. A reliever must have appeared in 15 games or pitched a minimum of 30 innings. Players are listed chronologically, based on the year they played with Salem-Keizer. Here are the finalists.
CATCHER Sammy Serrano (1998) Trey Lunsford (2000) Todd Jennings (2003)
FIRST BASE Sean McGowan (1999) Tyler Von Schell (2001) Will Thompson (2004-05)
SECOND BASE Travis Young (1997) Derin McMains (2001) Mark Minicozzi (2005)
THIRD BASE Lance Niekro (2000) Julian Benavidez (2001) Pablo Sandoval (2005)
SHORTSTOP Cody Ransom (1998) Joe Jester (1999) Mikey Miranda (2001)
LEFT FIELD Doug Clark (1998) Rob Meyer (2001) Fred Lewis (2002)
CENTER FIELD Mike Byas (1997) Jason Ellison (2000) Clay Timpner (2004)
RIGHT FIELD Chris Magruder (1998) Brian Horwitz (2004) Mike Mooney (2005)
DESIGNATED HITTER Jeff Allen (1998) Dan Ortmeier (2002) Brad Vericker (2003)
STARTING PITCHERS Mike Riley (1997) Ryan Vogelsong (1998) Kurt Ainsworth (1999)
Jesse Foppert (2001) Anthony Pannone (2001) Greg Bruso (2002)
Clay Hensley (2002) Jesse Floyd (2003) Pat Misch (2003)
Sergio Romo (2005)
RELIEF PITCHERS Joe Nathan (1997) Jesse Travis (1997) Benji Miller (1998)
Luke Anderson (2000) Wes Hutchison (2001) Luke Nelson (2002)
Brian Anderson (2005) Dave McKae (2005)
MANAGER Keith Comstock (1998) Fred Stanley (2000-02) Steve Decker (2005)
CRATER’S GRAND SLAM READING PROGRAM STARTS APRIL 17
The
Volcanoes popular reading program begins its four-week run in area elementary
schools on April 17 and should reach more than 11,000 students this spring.
Crater’s Grand Slam Reading Program was the Volcanoes first major community
outreach initiative when it began in 2001. More than 300 classrooms
participated last spring and more than two dozen school districts are involved
this year.
The Grand Slam Reading Program is an incentive based campaign. Students set a goal of how much to read with the help of their teachers and/or parents. At the end of each week, the students who reach their goal will be sent a reward by the Volcanoes and the team’s participating sponsors. At the end of four weeks, students who have reached their goal for all four weeks get a voucher for a ticket to see a Volcanoes game.
For more information on the program, contact Kate Hamm at Volcanoes Stadium at 503-390-2225, extension 3007, or email to: readingprogram@volcanoesbaseball.com.
VOLCANOES COMPLETE 2006 SCHEDULE AND EVENTS LISTING
The
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have announced their strongest lineup of events in
conjunction with the team’s 10th Anniversary Season.
Fans will get their first look at the team on Fathers Day, Sunday, June 18, when the Volcanoes host the College All-Stars. The Northwest League home opener is Saturday, June 24, against the Boise Hawks. Fireworks will be featured after every Friday night home game and on the Fourth of July. Wacky Wednesdays will feature an entertainment act with the Famous Chicken making his first Northwest appearance in three years on July 26. Baseball Bingo will become a regular feature for all seven Sunday home dates.
June 18 (All-Stars) SUN 5:05 Father’s Day Opener vs. College All-Stars
June 19 @ Spokane MON 6:35
June 20 @ Spokane TUE 6:35
June 21 @ Spokane WED 6:35
June 22 @ Spokane THU 6:35
June 23 @ Spokane FRI 6:35
June 24 (vs. Boise) SAT 7:05 Opening Night, Magnetic Schedule Giveaway
June 25 (Boise) SUN 5:05 Baseball Bingo, Little League Night, Kids Run the Bases
June 26 (Boise) MON 6:35 Giveaway Item for Season Ticket Holders
June 27 (Boise) TUE 6:35 Kids Ball Night, D. A. R. E. Night, No Meth Night
June 28 (Boise) WED 6:35 The Spitball Gang, Reading Program Night, Lapel Pin Giveaway
June 29 @ Everett THU 7:05
June 30 @ Everett FRI 7:05
July 1 @ Everett SAT 7:05
July 2 @ Eugene SUN 4:05
July 3 @ Eugene MON 6:35
July 4 (Eugene) TUE 7:05 Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
July 5 (Eugene) WED 6:35 Wacky Wednesday, Reading Program Night
July 6 (Eugene THU 6:35
July 7 @ Eugene FRI 7:05
July 8 @ Vancouver SAT 7:05
July 9 @ Vancouver SUN 7:05
July 10 @ Vancouver MON 7:05
July 11 TUE OFF DAY
July 12 (Tri-City) WED 6:35 Roberto the Magnificent, Reading Program Night, Baseball Giveaway
July 13 (Tri-City) THU 6:35 Country Western Night
July 14 (Tri-City) FRI 7:05 Fireworks Friday
July 15 (Tri-City) SAT 7:05 San Francisco Giants Night
July 16 (Tri-City) SUN 5:05 Baseball Bingo, Kids Run the Bases
July 17 @ Yakima MON 7:05
July 18 @ Yakima TUE 7:05
July 19 @ Yakima WED 7:05
July 20 @ Yakima THU 7:05
July 21 @ Yakima FRI 7:05
July 22 (Everett) SAT 7:05 Scout Night
July 23 (Everett) SUN 5:05 Turn Back the Clock Game, Baseball Bingo, Kids Run the Bases
July 24 (Everett) MON 6:35
July 25 (Vancouver) TUE 6:35 Patriotic Night
July 26 (Vancouver) WED 6:35 Famous Chicken, Red Cross Blood Drive, Reading Program Night
July 27 (Vancouver) THU 2:05 DAY GAME: Business Persons Day, Senior Day
July 28 @ Boise FRI 7:15 MDT (6:15 PDT)
July 29 @ Boise SAT 7:15 MDT (6:15 PDT)
July 30 @ Boise SUN 6:15 MDT (5:15 PDT)
July 31 @ Boise MON 7:15 MDT (6:15 PDT)
August 1 @ Boise TUE 7:15 MDT (6:15 PDT)
August 2 WED OFF DAY
August 3 (Yakima) THU 6:35 Faith and Family Night
August 4 (Yakima) FRI 7:05 Fireworks Friday
August 5 (Yakima) SAT 7:05 Crater’s Birthday Party
August 6 (Yakima) SUN 5:05 Baseball Bingo, Youth Clinic, National Kids Day, Kids Run the Bases
August 7 (Yakima) MON 6:35
August 8 @ Everett TUE 7:05
August 9 @ Everett WED 7:05
August 10 @ Everett THU 7:05
August 11 (Spokane) FRI 7:05 Fireworks Friday
August 12 (Spokane) SAT 7:05 Cancer Awareness Night
August 13 (Spokane) SUN 5:05 Baseball Bingo, Kids Run the Bases
August 14 (Spokane) MON 6:35
August 15 (Spokane) TUE 6:35 Seattle Mariners Night
August 16 WED OFF DAY
August 17 @ Tri-City THU 7:15
August 18 @ Tri-City FRI 7:15
August 19 @ Tri-City SAT 7:15
August 20 @ Tri-City SUN 7:15
August 21 @ Tri-City MON 7:15
August 22 (Everett) TUE 6:35
August 23 (Everett) WED 6:35 The Spitball Gang, Reading Program Night
August 24 (Everett) THU 6:35 Civil War Night
August 25 (Vancouver) FRI 7:05 Fireworks Friday, Scout Night II
August 26 (Vancouver) SAT 7:05 Cup of Coffee Night
August 27 (Vancouver) SUN 5:05 Hometown Heroes, Baseball Bingo, Kids Run the Bases, Team Photo
August 28 MON OFF DAY
August 29 @ Vancouver TUE 7:05
August 30 @ Vancouver WED 1:05
August 31 @ Vancouver THU 7:05
September 1 (Eugene) FRI 7:05 Fan Appreciation Fireworks, Baseball Card Set Giveaway
September 2 (Eugene) SAT 7:05 Marion-Polk Food Share Night
September 3 (Eugene) SUN 5:05 Baseball Bingo, Kids Run the Bases, Mountain Man Giveaway
September 4 @ Eugene MON 4:05
September 5 @ Eugene TUE 7:05
September 6 @ Eugene WED 7:05
CLUBHOUSE
CHAT with JERRY WALKER
All blueprints, architectural drawings are done and the permits have been approved for the building of the new Video Board at Volcanoes Stadium. Installation is scheduled to begin early next month and be completed by the middle of the May. The structure will be 18’ wide and 18’ tall and will be located in right field. The Video Board will also serve as an auxiliary scoreboard, plus, it will feature a speed pitch indicator, so fans can really become closer to the action.
The Volcanoes game schedule is jammed packed with more exciting promotions than ever. Every Friday night game will feature a Spectacular post-game Fireworks Show. Of course we’ll have our traditional 4th of July Fireworks -- making a total of six fireworks shows this season. To help celebrate our 10th Anniversary Season, the Famous San Diego Chicken will be returning to Salem-Keizer and will be making, probably, his final appearance at a Volcanoes game. This event you, for sure, will want to attend. Our ticket packages, that include these marquee events, are selling quickly. They include the best seats possible for our biggest and best events. Be sure to order your package now, they would make a great Father’s Day present ! Five, Ten, Nineteen and full season ticket packages are available -- call Kate at 503-390-2225.
It is a pleasure to see so many of our former players making it to the big leagues. 30 of our players, who played in Salem-Keizer, have ‘made it’ to the show. Currently 17 former Volcanoes are active on major league rosters. Each year 3 to 5 more players become part to this elite group. Truly an impressive group of alumni!
Veteran Group Coordinator, Greg Herbst, has returned to our staff. He is actively booking groups for outings here this summer. For the first time, a group section has been added in our lower level box seats. These seats offer the best view and comfort -- the best way to enjoy Volcanoes baseball. A limited amount of these great seats are available for each game, so, reserve your group date NOW, by calling Greg 503-390-2225 ext. 3013.
GIANTS MAKE PLAYER ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2006
Sixty-seven former Salem-Keizer Volcanoes have been assigned to active rosters within the San Francisco Giants minor league system. Nine more continue in Extended Spring Training at the Giants’ complex in Scottsdale, Arizona while 10 former Volcanoes are on medical rehabilitation assignments. San Francisco’s Double-A affiliate, which was the Norwich Navigators, has been renamed the Connecticut Defenders but remains in Norwich. (The team’s website can be found at www.ctdefenders.com). Here’s the complete list of player assignments as of April 3.
FRESNO (AAA): Pitchers: Kevin Correia, Brad Hennessey. Position players: Kevin Frandsen (2B), Fred Lewis (OF), Dan Ortmeier (OF), Adam Shabala (OF).
CONNECTICUT (AA): Pitchers: Joe Bateman, Garrett Broshuis, Geno Espineli, Jesse Floyd, Pat Misch, Mike Musgrave, Matt Palmer, Jeff Petersen, Jonathan Sanchez, Jason Waddell. Position players: Justin Knoedler (C), Travis Ishikawa (1B), A. J. LaBarbera (2B), Derin McMains (2B), Tyler Von Schell (1B), Jake Wald (SS), Eddy Martinez-Esteve (OF), Nate Schierholtz (OF), Clay Timpner (OF), Randy Walter (OF).
SAN JOSE (A): Pitchers: Brian Anderson, James Garcia, Adam Gardner, Alex Hinshaw, Brooks McNiven, Anthony Moreno, Nick Pereira, Jesus Reina, Juan Serrato, Craig Whitaker. Position players: Steve Holm (C), Todd Jennings (C), Guillermo Rodriguez (C), Julio Cordido (IF), Pat Dobson (IF), Tim Hutting (SS), Simon Klink (3B), Mark Minicozzi (2B), John Bowker (OF), Joey Dyche (OF), Brian Horwitz (OF), Mike Wagner (OF).
AUGUSTA (A): Pitchers: Buck Cody, Wayne Foltin, Dan Griffin, Joey Martinez, Bryan Millikan, Matt Minor, Ben Nieto, David Quinowski, Sergio Romo. Position players: Andy Busch (C), Nick Conte (C), Barry Gunther (C), Anthony Contreras (SS), Kyle Haines (IF), Aaron Hornostaj (2B), Pablo Sandoval (3B), Ben Copeland (OF), Mike Mooney (OF), Jose Yens (OF).
EXTENDED: Pitchers: Justin Hedrick, Dave McKae, Darren Sack, Taylor Wilding. Position players: Henry Gutierrez (C), Brad Groth (IF), Chris Todd (IF), Johany Abreu (OF), Adalberto Paulino (OF).
MEDICAL EXTENDED: Pitchers: John Odom, Anthony Pannone, Nathan Pendley, Ryan Sadowski. Position players: Dayton Buller (C), Trey Lunsford (C), Julian Benavidez (1B), David Maroul (SS), Will Thompson (1B).
RETIRED: Kyle Bone (C), Kellen Ludwig (P), Sean Martin (P), Albert Montes (P) and Chris Stanton (1B).
RELEASED: Charlie Babineaux (1/17), Benny Cepeda (1/17), D. J. Dixon (1/17), Maximo Felix (1/17), Travis NeSmith (1/17), Daniel Portorreal (1/17), Rickey Putman (1/17), Rafael Rigueiro (1/17), Ben Thurmond (1/17), Dan Trumble (1/17), Brad Vericker (1/17), John Acha (3/27), Jeff Urban (3/27).
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? (Former Volcanoes with other Organizations)
In addition to the five former Volcanoes players with San Francisco, six Salem-Keizer alumni are on Major League Opening Day rosters. All six are pitchers: starters Jerome Williams and Francisco Liriano and relievers Joe Nathan, Scott Linebrink, Clay Hensley and Ryan Vogelsong. Former big league hurlers Nate Bump (Florida) and Erasmo Ramirez (Texas) were designated for assignment during the first week in April and were free to sign with any organization. Bump accepted a minor league assignment with the Marlins’ AAA team in Albuquerque. Ryan Meaux, a reliever for the Volcanoes in 2001, is pitching for the Portland Beavers and was the winning pitcher Opening Night.
Several members of the Volcanoes’ 1998 Northwest League Championship team are with other organizations. Cody Ransom began Spring Training with the Mariners but was sold to Texas on March 30. He’ll begin the season at their AAA affiliate in Round Rock, Texas. Doug Clark, who hit .335 for S-K in 1998, made his Major League debut with San Francisco last September but was released during the off-season. He was picked up by Oakland has been assigned to their AAA team in Sacramento. Carlos Valderrama was also released last fall and begins this season with Huntsville, Alabama in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. Tony Torcato will spend the season playing professionally in Italy.
Here’s the Major League
list.
Chicago
(N): Jerome Williams
Minnesota: Joe Nathan, Francisco Liriano.
Pittsburgh: Ryan Vogelsong
San Diego: Clay Hensley, Scott Linebrink
The Minor League List:
Baltimore: Ottawa (AAA): Brian Burres
Cincinnati: Chattanooga (AA): Jon Coutlangus
Florida: Albuquerque (AAA): Nate Bump
Houston: Round Rock (AAA): Cody Ransom
Milwaukee: Huntsville (AA): Carlos Valderrama
Minnesota: Rochester (AAA): Boof Bonser
Oakland: Sacramento (AAA): Doug Clark
San Diego: Portland (AAA): Ryan Meaux
Seattle: Tacoma (AAA): Jesse Foppert