AFFINITO OFF TO ROARING START

Chris Affinito, C, is tearing up the Arizona League playing for the Oakland A’s affiliate there. The Seton Hall graduate and 2009 NYSL invitee is nine for fifteen in his first four games for a smoking .600 batting average. He has also knocked in four runs and hit his first professional home run.

HOTEL REMINDER! – July 2

A NYSL rep will be at the Ardsley Acres Hotel On July 2 at 5pm to assist players who are coming from out of town and looking for roommates. PLAYERS NEED TO CALL THE HOTEL IN ADVANCE SO THAT THE HOTEL KNOWS WHO IS COMING.

TRYOUT INVITEES: IMPORTANT NOTICE!

All CONFIRMED tryout invitees should report to the field on July 3 at 8 am SHARP in full uniform. Please print out and bring the invitation that was sent to you.

ROSTERED PLAYERS: IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Rostered players (via the Indy Pro Showcases) should report to the field on July 3 at 8 am SHARP in full uniform. While the tryouts are going on, the rostered players will practice on an adjoining field. All rostered players need to sign their paperwork before taking the field.

CAMPBELL PITCHES GEM

Brian Campbell, RHP, Lincoln (AA), pitched seven shutout innings to earn a 4-0 victory over Sioux City last night. Campbell gave up just two hits and walked one while striking out two. On the season he is now 2-1 with 5.03 ERA.

GAGNE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE

Former MLBer Eric Gagne, RHP, continues to struggle at Quebec (Can-Am). In his third start he gave up ten hits and seven earned runs while pitching 5.1 innings. Gagne’s ERA is 9.60 and opponents are batting .371 against him. The Capitales ended up losing the game to New Jersey 11-10.

YOUNG GETS FIRST SAVE

Justin Young, RHP, Wichita (AA), got the final out and recorded his first save of the season as the Wingnuts edged Sioux Falls 2-1.  In 17 relief appearances Young is 1-0 and has a 3.50 ERA. Opponents are batting .219 against him. Young pitched in the NYSL in 2007.

GRANT LEDBETTER RETIRES

Grant Ledbetter, RHP, has decided to retire. Ledbetter pitched in the NYSL in 2008 and went on to finish that season with the Reno Silver Sox (GBL). He worked in relief for Edmonton (GBL) before being traded this spring to Rockford (FL). However, he was not rostered in Rockford and decided to retire. Ledbetter, who completed his MBA this May, has accepted a teaching and coaching job at Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City. He will teach business at the school and serve as the school’s head baseball coach. The Southern Nazarene graduate will also be the high school’s quarterback coach. In addition to playing baseball, Ledbetter played three years at quarterback in college. We send out our best wishes to Grant for a successful teaching and coaching career.

DEMPSEY SIGNED BY SIOUX FALLS

Joe Dempsey, C, who was released earlier this year by the Rockford Riverhawks, has been signed by Sioux Falls (AA). Dempsey previously played in the American Association for the Lincoln Saltdogs. He caught in the NYSL in 2007.

MAZUREK LEADS ROCKFORD

Matt Mazurek, OF, Rockford (FL), lead the Riverhawks over Evansville yesterday 8-4. Mazurek went two for four with a home run and two RBIs. He is now batting .354. Mazurek played in the NYSL in 2007.