This season, every home run hit by a Rafters player at Witter Field meant a bit more than just tacking another run on the scoreboard. Thanks to West Bend Mutual Insurance, a charitable contribution was made every time a Rafters player circled the bases at historic Witter Field.

West Bend Mutual Insurance donated $50 for every Rafters home run hit at Witter Field during the inaugural season. The Rafters ended up with a total of ten home runs, equaling $500, but West Bend Mutual went above and beyond and contributed a generous gift of $1,000 for the benefit of Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. Lester & Smart Insurance also added an additional $500 contribution for the cause.

“Rafters Baseball provided the Wisconsin Rapids community with fantastic entertainment this summer for families and the sports enthusiast. ODC, a not for profit employer, has benefitted from this inaugural season experience through the efforts of the Rafters players and the financial support from West Bend Mutual Insurance Company and our agency. Lester, Smart, Fehrman, Treml, & Arendt are proud to represent this excellent community-minded insurance carrier,” said Joe Treml of Lester & Smart Insurance. “We look forward to the 2011 season when Rafters home runs once again generate excitement from the fans and produce funds for ODC.”

Former Rochester Honker Matt Reynolds was called up to the Colorado Rockies in mid-August and has been effective in five appearances. The 6’5’’ lefty had been throwing in Triple-A Colorado Springs, but was called up to fill the roster spot of Brad Hawpe. He has pitched 6.1 innings for the Rockies while only giving up two hits and striking out five.   Reynolds is yet to give up a run in his Major League career. 

Reynolds, a 20th round draft pick in 2007, was 1-3 with a 2.62 ERA, seven saves and 67 strikeouts in Colorado Springs. While in the Minor Leagues Reynolds has made stops in Single-A Tri-City, Asheville, and Modesto. In Single-A he had a 12-9 record with five saves in 141.0 innings of work.

Follow Reynolds at www.coloradorockies.com for the rest of the Major League Baseball season.

The Duluth Huskies have re-signed Field Manager Daniel Hersey for the 2011 Northwoods League season.
Hersey, currently an assistant coach at Central Florida Community College, skippered the Huskies to a 34-32 record in 2010.

“Daniel has done a great job in both recruiting and in managing the team this past summer.” Said Huskies General Manager Craig Smith. “ Not only are we pleased with his on field performance, but also in the way he manages the clubhouse. His past Northwoods League experience has been invaluable to him in his first year as Manager, and I look forward to even better things for 2011.”

A native of Key West, Florida, Coach Hersey played collegiate baseball at Rollins College and the University of West Georgia.

The Madison Mallards announced today that Field Manager C.J. Thieleke will not have his contract renewed for the 2011 season. Madison recently finished the 2010 Northwoods League season with a 41-29 record.

Thieleke compiled a 230-178 regular season record during his six years as manager in Madison, including a 6-7 record in three post-season appearances. Earlier this season he became only the fourth manager in Northwoods League history to win 200 games. Prior to being named the Mallards Field Manager before the 2005 season, Thieleke was the team’s top assistant for two seasons. In the off-season he is an assistant coach at Madison College.

“We would like to thank C.J. for eight years of service to the Mallards,” said Mallards President Vern Stenman. “He delivered a lot of great moments on the field and gave our great fans memories that will last forever. We wish him the best of luck in the next step of his career.”

The Mallards have launched a national search to find their next field manager. For more information stay tuned to Mallardsbaseball.com or call the front office at 608.246.4277.

Sam Selman (Vanderbilt) of the Mankato MoonDogs is following in the footsteps of former Northwoods left handed pitchers James Jones (Waterloo Bucks) and Chris Sale (La Crosse). Selman, a hard throwing Austin, TX native, resembles both Jones and Sale in delivery and velocity.

The 6’3’’ 175-pound Selman was selected by the Angels in the 14th round out of high school, but honored his Vanderbilt commitment. As a freshman, he struggled in his role out of the bullpen and had a 9.00 ERA, but is having a productive summer in the Northwoods. In his 1st season in Mankato he is 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched with an opponents only hitting .182.

James Jones was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2009 in the 4th round and is currently in Single-A playing for the Clinton LumberKings. The 6’4’’ lefty is hitting .260 with 39 extra base hits and 21 steals with Clinton.

Chris Sale recently made his Major League debut for the Chicago White Sox out of the bullpen. He was the 13th pick in the 2010 First-Year Major League Player Draft and reaches the Majors quicker than any draftee since 2003.

Follow the link below to read Perfect Game USA’s reflection of Selman.
http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=4927

The Willmar Stingers are pleased to announce that Anne Kelly won $20,000 towards a new vehicle at Mills Automotive during the Stingers Monday night home game versus the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers at Bill Taunton Stadium.

The Willmar Stingers and Mills Automotive Group partnered to bring the “Steal of a Deal” promotion during 17 Stingers home games this summer. If a Stingers player were to steal home during any of the select scheduled home games this season, one fan would win $20,000 towards a new vehicle at Mills Automotive Group. Fans registered to win outside the stadium before each game and one registration slip was selected prior to the start of the each home game.

In the bottom of the eighth inning in Monday’s game second baseman Carlos Leyva took his lead from third and stole home awarding Kelly the grand prize. Anne Kelly, from Manhattan Beach, California, is married to Mike Kelly who is originally from Willmar, MN. The two were visiting family in the area and decided to take in a Stingers game.

The Stingers conclude the 2010 regular season this weekend with two games in Alexandria tonight and a three game series in Thunder Bay, Canada Saturday through Monday. For more information regarding this story or the 2010 inaugural season presented by Charter Communications, please call 320-222-2010.

Former Major-Leaguer Mark Whiten will join Hall of Famer Robin Yount as well as four-time All-Star and former St. Louis Cardinal Jack Clark in headlining the team’s fifth annual MLB Alumni Game presented by West Bend to be held Friday, August 13 at 7:35 p.m. at Warner Park, a.k.a. the “Duck Pond.”

Gates will open to the public at 5:00 p.m., but TDS Season Ticket holders and Mallards 5-Game “Package A” holders will receive admission at 4:30 p.m. Fans interested in attending at 4:30 can enter in the tail-gate entrance on the right-side of the ballpark.

Whiten played for eight different teams during his ten-year career including the Blue Jays, Indians, Cardinals, Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, Mariners and Yankees. His career began in 1990 when he made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays after being selected in the 1986 MLB amateur draft. Whiten is most remembered for a game on September 7, 1993 as a St. Louis Cardinal where he hit four home-runs and drove in 12 runs, tying all-time single-game records in both categories. Over his career, he posted a .259 batting average with 105 home-runs and 423 runs batted in.

Hall of Famer and Milwaukee Brewers legend Robin Yount as well as four-time All-Star and former St. Louis Cardinal Jack Clark will headline the team’s fifth annual MLB Alumni Game presented by West Bend to be held Friday, August 13 at 7:35 p.m. at Warner Park, a.k.a. the “Duck Pond.”

Gates will open to the public at 5:00 p.m., but TDS Season Ticket holders and Mallards 5-Game “Package A” holders will receive admission at 4:30 p.m. Fans interested in attending at 4:30 can enter in the tail-gate entrance on the right-side of the ballpark.

Yount will sign autographs from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., with a limit of one autograph per fan. Autographs will be available on a first-come first-served basis.

Widely regarded as being Milwaukee’s most beloved star athlete, Yount played his entire 20-year career with the Brewers and holds team records in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, walks and strikeouts. No one had more hits in the decade of the 1980’s than Yount, leading the American League with 210 hits in 1982. Accolades kept piling up that year for “the Kid” as he was named to the American League All-Star Team, won his first and only Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and earned AL MVP honors.

On September 9, 1992, Yount collected his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 17th player to reach that mark. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.

Clark played for five different Major League Baseball teams during his 18-year career including the Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Padres and Red Sox. He is a four-time All-Star selection and a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner. His best season came with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987 when he hit .286 with 35 home runs and 106 RBI, while also leading the league in slugging percentage and on-base percentage. He finished third that year in MVP voting while leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series appearance. He is currently 84th on the Major League Baseball All-Time home-run list with 340 career home runs.

Other former Major Leaguers taking part in the festivities include Vern Geishert (1969), Jay Johnstone (1966-1985) and Brad Woodall (1994-99).

Former Mallards attending the event include: Matt Freisleben (UW-Milwaukee, 2001), Ross Hellenbrand (Winona State, 2009), Nate Kafka (Mankato State, 2007), Lucas Koenig (Madison College, 2001), Chris Maliszewski (Iowa, 2003 & Assistant Coach, 2005-06), Craig Meier (Madison College, 2006-07), Mark Moriarty (Indian Hills CC/Kansas, 2004-05), Matt Musser (Air Force, 2003-05), Jon Olson (Butler, 2003-04), Jim Sajewich (Illinois State, 2007), Tyler Schill (Assistant Coach, 2009), Steve Schmitt (Owner, 2001-Present), Brian Smith (Northern Illinois, 2006-07 & Assistant Coach, 2009), Jason Smith (Assistant Coach, 2008) and Jeff Zielke (UW-Stevens Point, 2006-07).

The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that former Minnesota Twins infielder and World Series Champion Al Newman will be at the Bee Hive on Thursday, August 5th for Stingers T-shirt Night presented by Rambow, Inc and KDJS 1590 AM. Newman will be on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, sign autographs, and be available to take pictures and interact with fans. First pitch for the game is at 7:05 pm with the gates opening at 6:00.

Al Newman played his college baseball at San Diego State University where he earned two All-Conference selections. After leaving college, Newman played professionally with three teams (Expos, Twins, Rangers), but is best known for his days with the Twins where he spent the majority of his 8 year playing career. Over his career Newman had a .226 batting average in 854 total games. After being traded to the Twins prior to the 1987 season, Newman was a valuable asset as the team’s utility man by spending time at third base, shortstop, and second base. His versatility helped lead the Twins to their only two World Series titles in 1987 and 1991.

Known for his infectious personality and dedication towards community projects, Al has spent his time after playing baseball coaching and raising money for athletic funds. He has managed the Twins AA Minor League affiliate in New Britain (1996-1997) and been the Twins big-league third base coach (2002-2005).

Single game tickets for this event and all home games are currently on-sale at the Stingers ticket office location at the ballpark from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or by calling 320-222-2010. For more information regarding this story or the 2010 inaugural season presented by Charter Communications, please call 320-222-2010.

The Madison Mallards have had the pleasure of watching the Napoleon brother’s in the last few years. Both Dusty and Dillon Napoleon have played at the ‘Duck Pond’ in the last four years. Dusty came to the Mallards via the University of Iowa in 2007 while Dillon comes from Heartland Community College.

Dillon is currently pitching for the Mallards and has a 2-1 record in 33.2 innings pitched. Dillon pitched for the Springfield Sliders last summer of the Prospect League. He had an impressive two year career at Heartland CC where he posted a 17-1 record and helped the Heartland Hawks to a 42-9 record. The righty will take his talents to Alabama-Birmingham next year.

Dusty, a catcher from the University of Iowa, played for Madison in 2007 before leaving Iowa early for a professional playing career. Dusty was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 19th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Dusty, who was the University of Iowa team co-MVP in 2007, has played for four minor league teams in the Oakland Athletics organization this summer having played for Kane County (A), Stockton (A+), Midland (AA) and Sacramento (AAA). He currently is playing for the Midland Rockhounds which are the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

Visit www.madisonmallards.com to follow Dillon in the second half of the NWL season or Dusty with the Midland Rockhounds.