saltdogs.com: Releases

NEAR-RECORD YEAR FOR INDY PLAYERS TO BIG LEAGUES

BOB WIRZ, Independent Baseball Insider

While many of the geographic priorities have shifted somewhat from where they were in 1993, it is likely most insiders would still agree that Independent Baseball's No. 1 reason for existence these last 19 years has been to provide professional baseball in communities which would not otherwise have this type of affordable entertainment within miles of where fans live.

And for players still chasing their dream, these leagues not affiliated with major league baseball teams provide 1,500 to 2,000 athletes a chance to sharpen their skills until the right opportunity knocks. This makes the 2011 season one of the most successful on record because 39 players have experienced the thrill of wearing a major league uniform, with nine of those happening for the very first time. This number could increase as the affiliated leagues wrap up their playoffs.

We stated earlier that the previous high-water mark had been 35 players, and while further research shows 40 players measured by the same yardstick made it to the Majors in 2003, this is the best year since. 30 Indy players were in the majors last year; 28 in '09.

Five players, including three first-timers, have gotten the call since rosters expanded September 1, and some of them have already contributed.

The ability to steal bases was a prime factor in outfielders Justin Christian and Antoan Richardson joining their parent teams. Christian, one of the most prized Indy players since he got his first pro contract at this level (River City, O'Fallon, MO, Frontier League), hit leadoff for defending World Champion San Francisco in his first major league game since 2008 and it was his fifth-inning double and run that put the Giants on top in a 6-4 win at San Diego September 6.

Richardson, who needed a second chance in the Northern League (Schaumburg, IL), in 2009-10 after the Giants had let him go, got a pinch hit in his major league debut with postseason-bound Atlanta.

Bob Wirz also writes about Independent Baseball on two other sites, www.IndyBaseballChatter.com and www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com. Fans may subscribe for 2011 to this Independent Baseball Insider column at www.WirzandAssociates.com or comment to RWitz@aol.com. The author has 16 years of major league baseball experience with Kansas City and as a spokesman for two Commissioners, and lives in Stratford, CT.

| Back to index...

Browse by Year »

2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006

Browse by Month »

May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
February 2006

Goldeyes

Saltdogs

Goldeyes @ Saltdogs
Sat., May. 25 7 PM

Press Box