The On-Deck CircleThe Official Newsletter of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes |
| Volume 6, Issue 2 April, 2003 |
Welcome! April brings the opening of another baseball season; and, with it, renewed hopes and dreams for fans across the land, from Boston to Seattle and (it’s fair to say) to a lesser degree) from Miami to San Diego. Opening Day also marks new opportunities for players to prove themselves once more, to chase the dreams many have had since they were small boys. While Short Season teams like Salem-Keizer must wait another two months for Opening Night (June 18 vs. Eugene), everyone in the Volcanoes family takes pride in the success of many of our former players. As the new campaign unfolds, 10 former Volcanoes have reached the Majors. More will join that list this year. We’ll continue to watch their progress and cheer their achievements from Volcanoes Stadium, the place “Where Giant Dreams Begin.”
To Go to any of the Stories Listed Below Simply Click on the Yellow Headline
In This Issue:3. 2003 LINEUP OF SPECIAL EVENTS, ATTRACTIONS POPULAR WITH S-K FANS
4. BASEBALL AMERICA TABS JESSE FOPPERT AS TOP GIANTS’ PROSPECT
Backed by overwhelming support from fans and ticket holders, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes will begin Monday through Thursday home games at 6:35 p.m. Start time for Friday and Saturday night games remains at 7:05 and Sunday games will continue at their popular 5:05 starting time.
For the past six seasons, all Monday through Friday night games began at 7:05. The earlier start time for weeknight games came in response to suggestions made by fans in the team’s season-ending survey taken last summer. In February, the Volcanoes conducted a poll, asking fans if they would prefer the earlier start. Nearly 80% endorsed the change.
Team co-owner and General Manager Jerry Walker said, “I told our staff that the results of the poll would have to be overwhelming for us to make the change. I felt 75 to 80 per cent would have to support the change to justify it. Well, when 80 per cent of your fans are telling you something, you’d better listen.”
With the revisions, the Volcanoes 2003 schedule for home games looks like this:
MONDAY-THURSDAY 6:35 P.M. FRIDAY & SATURDAY 7:05 P.M.
SUNDAY 5:05 P.M. LABOR DAY (September 1) 4:05 P.M.
As the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes move closer to Opening Day (Wednesday, June 18 vs. Eugene), tickets for group sales continue to eclipse franchise records. As of April 1, group sales were nearly 5,000 ahead of the same date last year. Seven games are “sold out” for large groups.
Greg Herbst, the Volcanoes Director of Group Sales, said “Many groups have chosen their dates during the last two months, and even the groups that haven’t committed have told us they’ll come. For some of them, it’s just hard to pin down the date that works best for 50 or 100 people. My biggest concern,” he added, “is that some groups that have waited this long won’t get the date they wanted. They still have excellent choices, but it’s possible their first choice might be gone.”
The surge in group sales as well as the popularity of the Volcanoes 10-game plan have made it clear that the “Greatest Hits” package (see following story for dates) should soon sell out. Once that happens, the Volcanoes will develop a second 10-game package that includes as many of the dates in the original package as possible.
With group tickets and 10-game plans selling so quickly, those interested in reserving either one should contact the Volcanoes ticket office soon (503-390-2225, ext. 3007). Season tickets and both 5- and 19-game ticket packages are also available.
A limited number of lower level, theatre-style box seats remain available for 2003. Priced at $342 per seat for the season ($9/game), the lower level box seats are available only as season tickets.
An impressive lineup of
events and attractions continues to spur interest and advance sales in the
Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 2003 season. That lineup includes The Famous Chicken,
Zooperstars, BirdZerk, two major fireworks shows, “Turn Back the Clock” Day,
Patriotic Day, the Frisbee Dogs and plenty of premium giveaways
Fans also appreciate the Volcanoes’ tradition of including the biggest and best attractions in their popular 5-, 10- and 19-game ticket packages. Here’s what’s coming:
10-GAME PACKAGE: The Volcanoes “Greatest Hits”
June 18 WED vs. Eugene OPENING NIGHT
June 27 FRI vs. Spokane PREMIUM GIVEAWAY
July 4 FRI vs. Vancouver FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR
July 17 THU vs. Tri-City PREMIUM GIVEAWAY
July 19 SAT vs. Tri-City FAMOUS CHICKEN
July 27 SUN** vs. Yakima TURN BACK THE CLOCK DAY
August 3 SUN** vs. Boise ZOOPERSTARS
August 13 WED vs. Vancouver INTERNATIONAL LEFT-HANDERS DAY
August 22 FRI vs. Eugene PREMIUM GIVEAWAY
August 28 THU vs. Everett BIRDZERK
** Kids run the bases after every Sunday home game
Dates for the popular 5-game package are June 18 (Opening Night), July 9 (vs. Everett, event TBA), July 25 (vs. Yakima, Frisbee Dogs and Scout Night), August 6 (vs. Boise, Patriotic Night) and August 29 (vs. Everett, Fan Appreciation Fireworks).
Dates for the 19-game package are June 18, 20, 26, 28 and 29; July 5, 6, 8, 16, 18, 24 and 26; August 2, 5, 12, 14, 21, 27 and September 1. The 19-game package includes at least two games against every Northwest League team.
To order season tickets or ticket packages, or for ticket information, visit Volcanoes Stadium (Mon-Fri, 9:00 am-5:00 pm) or call the Volcanoes ticket office at 503-390-2225 (ext. 3007).
Baseball America has named
Jesse Foppert, the ace hurler of Salem-Keizer’s record-setting 2001 NWL
Championship team, as the San Francisco Giants top Major League prospect. The
annual “Top10 Prospects” issue was published in March with Foppert featured on
the cover. Eight of the Giants’ Top 10 (underlined names) played for
Salem-Keizer.
A second round draft choice from the University of San Francisco, Foppert posted an 8-1 record and league leading 1.93 ERA with the Volcanoes in 2001. He began last season in Shreveport but was quickly promoted to Triple-A Fresno where he fanned 109 batters in 79 innings, earning recognition as the finest pitching prospect in the Pacific Coast League. He joined the Giants’ big league camp for Spring Training and had a 1-2 record (3.94 ERA) in 16 innings. He began this season as a starter in Fresno.
Here’s the BA Top 10…and what they’re saying about them.
1. Jesse Foppert (P). Textbook delivery…ball jumps out of his hand…mid-90’s fastball that was clocked as high as 99. Hitters can’t lay off his splitter, his second best pitch. Still developing a changeup and working on a curve. If he picks up where he left off, he could force the issue of a promotion quickly.
2. Kurt Ainsworth (P). Complete pitcher with a solid five-pitch repertoire…developed a much better feel for setting up hitters. While not overpowering, has the stuff and command to win. He needs to believe that and go after hitters rather than trying to make the perfect pitch.
3. Jerome Williams (P). No. 1 on this list the previous two years. Still considered a potential star…throws a 90-92 mph fastball and an outstanding changeup…has mound presence that helps him in jams…may have more upside than Foppert or Ainsworth but he’s younger (21), less polished and less mature.
4. Francisco Liriano (P). Cranks his fastball up to 97 mph and throws consistently at 93-94 with good life. Slider and change are outstanding for his age…intelligent and mature beyond his years on the mound. Biggest issue is the health of his shoulder…needs to learn some pitching strategy to better attack hitters.
5. Todd Linden (OF). Switch-hitter with 30-homer potential. He sprays the ball around and is willing to draw walks…has a strong arm suited for right field…runs well enough…needs work on routes to fly balls. Realistically, he’s another year away.
6. Boof Bonser (P). Top pitching prospect in Class A South Atlantic League in 2001…struggled when rushed to Double-A in 2002. Mid-90’s fastball at Hagerstown…it dropped to the low 90’s at San Jose. Must refine curve and change…needs improvement on pitches and command to reach his high ceiling.
7. Fred Lewis (OF). Northwest League’s top position prospect in his pro debut. Though he’s very raw, Lewis is as close to a five-tool player as the Giants have in their system. Slashes the ball all over the field…good patience for a player with limited experience…fastest player and best athlete in the system.
8. Ryan Hannaman (P). One club official called him the most improved player in the system. As he got a better feel for mechanics, he finished with 68 strikeouts in his last 49 innings…lively mid-90’s fastball and tight slider…still raw…needs to develop changeup, work on holding runners and fielding position.
9. Lance Niekro (3B/1B). Has risen quickly though surgeries have interrupted both his full seasons. A disciplined hitter who uses the whole field…good range at third and made smooth adjustment to first. Should develop power but so far hasn’t shown it. Makes good contact…needs to draw more walks.
10. Erick Threets (P). Hit 103 mph in 2001 and regularly reached triple digits last year…poor mechanics have contributed to a sore arm, shoulder bursitis. Delivery needs smoothing out…will advance quickly if he can lock in his mechanics, develop a second reliable pitch and throw more strikes.
The San Francisco Giants have opened defense of their National League title with two former Salem-Keizer pitchers, Kurt Ainsworth and Ryan Jensen, in the starting rotation. The two had been competing for the “final” spot in the rotation until the Giants dealt Livan Hernandez to the Montreal Expos during the final week of Spring Training. The move secured spots for both Kurt and Ryan. Joe Nathan (with S-K in 1997) also earned a spot on the staff in long relief.
Jensen, who posted a 7-3
record with the Volcanoes in 1997, was a starter for San Francisco last season.
He had a 13-8 record with a 4.51 ERA. Ryan appeared in 32 games (30 starts),
striking out 105 batters in 172 innings. He allowed 183 hits.
Ainsworth
was 3-3 with a 1.61 ERA (in 10 starts) with Salem-Keizer in 1999. He spent
most of last season in Fresno where he finished 8-6 with a 3.41 ERA. In 20
games (19 starts), he pitched 116 innings, allowing 101 hits while fanning 119.
Kurt also made six appearances with the Giants posting a 1-2 record and 2.10
ERA.
Jensen and Ainsworth made their 2003 debuts in the Giants’ second series in Milwaukee on April 4-5, with Kurt earning his first win of the year. San Francisco opened the season with six consecutive wins.
Former Salem-Keizer
outfielder Jason Ellison has been honored by the San Francisco Giants for his
play in Spring Training this year.
Ellison was given the Harry S. Jordan Award following a vote of his teammates on March 23. The award is given in recognition of the player in his first camp whose performance and dedication in Spring Training best exemplifies the spirit of the Giants. Harry Jordan was a minor league trainer in the Giants’ organization for many years.
This spring, Ellison hit .362 for San Francisco, getting 17 hits in 47 at bats with six doubles and a pair of triples. He played in 25 games, the most of any player in camp. He has been assigned to Fresno where he’ll play for Fred Stanley, Jason’s first professional manager at Salem-Keizer.
Ellison was the Giants 22nd round selection in the 2000 player draft and had made an impressive debut with the Volcanoes, batting .300 and leading the club in games (74), at bats (300), hits (90), runs (67), doubles (15) and stolen bases (13). He led the Northwest League in runs and at bats.
Last year, Jason split his season between San Jose and Fresno. He hit .270 in 81 games at San Jose and .311 in 49 games with the Grizzlies.
It's great having three Volcanoes contributing to
the Giants great start this season. Ryan Jensen, Joe Nathan and Kurt Ainsworth
have helped the Giants open undefeated, winning 6 straight games against the
Padres and the Brewers on the road. Also of note is Fresno's great start. The
Giants' AAA Team won their first three games of the season under Manager Fred
Stanley and Hitting
Coach Steve Decker. We wish our former Volcanoes players and Field Staff
continued great success this season.
It is getting very busy at Volcanoes Stadium with just over 2 months before the
first pitch. There will be an event at the Stadium almost every weekend over
the next 2 months. Volcanoes Community Relations Director, Steve Davies, and
our Stadium Operations Manager, Rick Nelson, have been busy lining up activities
at the Stadium. April 12 and 19, we welcome the Keizer
Little League. All 900+ players will visit the Stadium and have their team
photos taken. On May 3, the Stadium Parking Lot will host the Marion
County Hazardous Waste Collection. An estimated 1,300 - 1,500 people are
expected to take advantage of this opportunity to properly dispose of their
hazardous waste. On May 10, the Pepsi Pit, Hit and Run Competition will
be held at the
Stadium. This event is open to all boys and girls ages 7 to 14. The
competition begins at 10am, registration is required with parental permission
necessary and proof of age (birth certificates or baptismal certificate) is
required. This is a National Event with regional winners advancing to the
National Finals that will be held during the 2003 Major League All Star Game in
Chicago. The event is sponsored by the Volcanoes and there is no charge to
register! Registration forms can be picked up at Volcanoes Stadium.
On May 17 and 18, the Stadium will host an Art, Craft, Food
and Wine Festival as part of Keizer's Annual Iris Festival Celebration. The
Festival will run from noon to 8pm on Saturday the 17 and from 10am to 6pm on
Sunday the 18th. Admission to the event is free, parking is $2.00 per carload.
America's Baseball Camps will be holding their 2nd Annual Youth Baseball Camp at
Volcanoes Stadium on May 24 and 25. The Camp provides professional
instruction for children ages 6 to 18. More information and registration forms
are available at Volcanoes Stadium.
Area High School's will be participating in a Sand Castle Building Competition
at Volcanoes Stadium on May 31 and June 1. The event is sponsored
by the Salem Optimist Club.
McNary High School's commencement ceremonies are slated for the Stadium on
Friday, June 6. Then on Saturday, June 7, O.S.A.A. State High
School Baseball Championships (all divisions) will return to the Stadium. A
special Father's Day event with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes is being planned for
Sunday, June 15. Stay tuned for more info on this fun event. Finally,
the
Volcanoes 2003 season will open, at home, on Wednesday, June 18, versus
the Eugene Emeralds.
JOB FAIR ! JOB FAIR !
Volcanoes Stadium will host Job Fairs on Wednesday, May 21, at 5:30pm and
on Saturday, May 31, at 10:00am. Applications will be accepted for those
who are interested in working at the Stadium during the summer. For more
information contact Rick Nelson (503) 390-2225 ext. 3010.
Indeed it is an exciting and busy time at Volcanoes Stadium.
A trio of former Salem-Keizer pitchers, Kurt Ainsworth, Ryan Jensen and Joe Nathan were named to the 25-man Major League roster on the eve of the season opener on March 31st.
Jensen, a 13-game winner with San Francisco last year, and Nathan were members of the Volcanoes inaugural team in 1997. Ainsworth was San Francisco’s initial draft choice after earning first team All-America honors at Louisiana State in 1999.
Here are the assignments made by San Francisco of all former Salem-Keizer players.
FRESNO (AAA): Jesse Foppert (P), Jeff Urban (P), Jerome Williams (P); Trey Lunsford (C); Lance Niekro (3B), Cody Ransom (SS), Doug Clark (LF), Jason Ellison (CF), Tony Torcato (OF-1B). Fred Stanley is the manager. Steve Decker is the hitting coach.
NORWICH (AA): Boof Bonser (P), Kevin Correia (P), Ryan Cox (P), Noah Lowry (P), Albert Montes (P), Jack Taschner (P), Kevin Vent (P); Joe Jester (2B), Carlos Mendoza (2B-SS), Adam Shabala (OF), Carlos Valderrama (OF). Shane Turner is the manager.
SAN JOSE (A): Greg Bruso (P), Brian Burres (P), Ryan Hannaman (P), Wes Hutchison (P), Francisco Liriano (P), Dan Padgett (P), Anthony Pannone (P), Julio Pavon (P), Rafael Rigueiro (P), Brion Treadway (P); Keith Anderson (C), Justin Knoedler (C), Anthony Turco (C, disabled list); Julian Benavidez (3B), Julio Cordido (2B-3B), Aaron Sobieraj (2B), Bryan Carter (OF), Branden Florence (OF), Micah Holst (OF), Daniel Ortmeier (OF), Danny Trumble (OF).
HAGERSTOWN (A): Josh Cram (P), Josh Habel (P), Clay Hensley (P), Scott Munter (P), Matt Palmer (P), Troy Ransom (P), Juan Serrato (P), Jason Waddell (P), Glenn Woolard (P), Vance Cozer (P, disabled list); Dayton Buller (C), Steve Holm (C), Aaron Hornostaj (IF), Travis Ishikawa (1B), Kevin Kelly (3B), Derin McMains (2B), Jake Wald (SS), Kevin Alexander (OF), Karl Jernigan (OF), Carlos Sosa (OF), Randy Walter (OF).
ARIZONA (EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING): Joe Bateman (P), James Garcia (P), Kyle Gross (P), Andrew Jefferson (P), Jeremy Schmidt (P), Jon Williams (C), Mikey Miranda (SS), Deivi Santos (OF-1B).
In Arizona on Rehab assignments: Luke Anderson (P), Brad Hennessey (P), Guillermo Rodriguez (C), Tyler Von Schell (1B) and Fred Lewis (OF). Both Von Schell and Lewis suffered broken hamate bones in their hands.
Jackson Markert had Tommy John surgery last August 6 and will not pitch during the 2003 season.
Players Released during Spring
Training: Matt Dryer,
Tim Flaherty, David Hixson, Chris Jones, Nelson Lopez, Ryan Luther, Peter
Maestrales, Ed Maldonado, Raymond Matos, Sean McGowan, Rob Meyer, David Stone,
Mike Wright, Anthony Yacco.
Players Released during the Off Season:
Derek Bell, Petersen Benjamin, Wesley Faust, Ever Pinango, Alex Pinon, Todd
Uzzell, Mark Walker
Voluntarily Retired: Arturo
"Scoop" McDowell, Ben Mitchell, Luke Nelson, Nick Wilfong.
2002 NORTHWEST LEAGUE FINAL STANDINGS
WEST WON LOST PCT. GB Manager AttendanceEverett (Mariners) 44 32 .579 --- Omer Munoz/Roger Hansen 110,373Volcanoes (Giants) 41 35 .539 3 Fred Stanley 122,334Eugene (Padres) 41 35 .539 3 Jeff Gardner 123,389Vancouver (A’s) 37 39 .487 7 Orv Franchuk 127,099 EAST WON LOST PCT. GB Manager AttendanceBoise (Cubs) 49 27 .645 ---- Steve McFarland 109,646Tri-City (Rockies) 40 36 .526 09 Ron Gideon 69,824Spokane (Royals) 29 47 .382 20 Tom Poquette 161,543Yakima (Diamondbacks) 23 53 .303 26 Mike Aldrete 56,404
Boise defeated Everett, three games to none, to win Northwest League Championship Series
C Rene Rivera Everett 1B Jon Nelson Everett 2B Ismael Castro Everett 3B Donnie Hood Boise SS Oscar Materano Tri-City DH Micah Hoffpauir Boise OF Fred Lewis Volcanoes OF Carlos Arroyo Everett OF Gary Harris Everett
RHP Greg Bruso Volcanoes LHP Andrew Sisco Boise LHP Jared Doyle Yakima
RHRP Gabe Ribas Eugene LHRP Isaac Pavlik Tri-City LHRP Billy Keppinger Spokane
MVP Ismael Castro Everett MGR Steve McFarland Boise
Name G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB Avg.
BELL, Derek 31 86 9 20 3 1 2 17 0 .233BULLER, Dayton 19 45 5 9 3 0 0 7 1 .200CABRERA, Leonel 44 120 18 29 5 1 1 8 1 .242DRYER, Matt 41 146 21 37 3 1 5 21 4 .253HOLM, Steve 50 128 15 22 4 0 0 11 0 .172HORNOSTAJ, Aaron 4 14 4 6 0 0 0 3 1 .429ISHIKAWA, Travis 23 88 14 27 2 1 1 17 1 .307JERNIGAN, Karl 34 94 14 27 6 0 1 10 3 .287KELLY, Kevin 15 50 6 5 1 0 0 2 0 .100LEWIS, Fred 58 239 43 77 9 3 1 23 9 .322MAESTRALES, Peter 60 165 20 45 9 2 3 19 4 .273ORTMEIER, Daniel 49 195 32 57 9 1 5 31 3 .292PINANGO, Ever 28 22 3 5 0 0 0 5 0 .227PINON, Alex 46 117 20 31 6 0 1 11 2 .265SANTANA, Manny 27 67 3 12 4 0 0 6 0 .179SOBIERAJ, Aaron 67 237 28 67 19 4 2 27 4 .283SOSA, Carlos 4 6 4 3 1 0 1 3 0 .500STONE, David 65 199 37 56 3 0 4 21 4 .281TURCO, Anthony 15 15 2 5 0 0 0 2 0 .132WALD, Jake 64 228 30 55 7 2 2 24 2 .241WALTER, Randy 69 258 26 74 11 4 6 40 6 .287WILLIAMS, Jon 26 77 13 22 4 0 1 11 0 .286Zuniga, Tony 4 13 1 3 1 0 0 2 0 .231
TEAM 76 2632 368 694 110 20 36 321 43 .264
Name W-L ERA G IP H SO BB Sv
BATEMAN, Joe 4-3 2.86 19 63 55 51 13 2
BRUSO, Greg 4-3 1.99 14 81 58 78 17 0
CORREIA, Kevin 2-2 4.54 10 38 37 31 14 0
CRAM, Josh 0-1 8.10 16 13 17 13 9 0
GARCIA, James 1-3 2.08 14 17 9 24 6 4
HABEL, Josh 2-2 6.00 16 48 57 33 24 0
HENSLEY, Clay 7-0 2.53 15 82 72 84 25 0
HIXSON, David 0-0 3.38 3 5 7 3 2 0
JEFFERSON, Andrew 2-2 3.81 23 28 27 39 8 1
LOPEZ, Nelson 0-1 6.23 5 4 3 1 6 0
MATOS, Raymond 0-2 4.05 18 27 23 18 11 0
MITCHELL, Ben 2-4 2.16 25 25 14 26 17 10
MUNTER, Scott 1-1 6.98 10 30 33 20 20 0
NELSON, Luke 7-0 1.87 14 43 28 33 9 1
PALMER, Matt 3-2 1.84 16 54 44 49 23 0
SCHMIDT, Jeremy 1-1 4.38 9 12 12 13 8 0
SERRATO, Juan 2-3 7.04 9 15 17 19 10 0
WADDELL, Jason 0-2 5.40 11 20 19 13 10 0
WOOLARD, Glenn 3-2 2.96 17 67 51 75 32 0
YACCO, Anthony 0-1 0.00 2 4 3 4 6 0
TEAM 41-35 3.41 76 678 586 627 270 18
Last updated
11/18/05 ©
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Since 4/4/03