Three CornBelter Baseball Players Make Independent League Top 10 Prospect List

Marshall Schuler, Ryan Sheldon and Bobby Pritchett from the Normal CornBelters were listed as the top 10 prospects of 2011 in Independent League baseball by Baseball America.

RHP Marshall Schuler earned the #1 overall prospect after going 1-2 with a 1.74 ERA and 12 saves for the CornBelters.  Schuler tops out at 94 mph and sits at 91-92.

RHP Ryan Sheldon was listed at #3 throws a cut-fastball and sits at 88-90 mph.

RHP Bobby Pritchett, a 5'9" 160 pounder, listed as the #7 overall prospect, went 9-5 with a 3.57 ERA in 124 innings for the CornBelters in 2011.  Pritchett sits 91-92 mph.



Another Illinois Independent League player was on the top 10 list - Lake County Fielder SS Travis Weaver was listed as the #4 prospect on the list.  Weaver can run a 6.5 in the 60 yard dash.

City of Zion Wants to Kick Out Lake County Fielders

Zion officials say they want the Lake County Fielders out of their city.

According to city officials the Lake County Fielders baseball club did not pay rent in 2010 and did not pay rent at all in 2011.  The team has played over 20 times in Zion and refused to pay the city.

Lake County Fielders Baseball Saga Continues..

More drama for the Lake County Fielders baseball team from Zion Illinois this past week.

Since having a game cancelled against Calgary for using sub par baseballs that are not approved by the league the Fielders were at it again after they refused to travel to a four game series because the cost of travel was too much. 

The North American League announced on Thursday that the Lake County Fielders had been thrown out of the league.

The City of Zion wants its $185,000 in rent and most of the players and coaches quit over financial issues - not to mention the on air exit from the Fielders broadcaster.

The rest of the season is up for grabs from the Fielders but you can bet there are tickets still available.

Lake County Fielders Baseball Accused of Using Inferior Baseball

The game between the Calgary Vipers and the Lake County Fielders was suspended Friday in Zion Illinois when the Vipers claimed the Lake County Fielders were playing with sub par baseballs.

Once again Fielders owner Richard Ehrenreich is left trying to explain why the Fielders were using recreational baseballs purchased at a local sporting goods store rather than purchasing its usual order for Rawlings professional model.

Ehrenreich said he is expected to announce Tuesday whether the Fielders will complete the rest of the season.  Ehrenreich, who also owned the now defunct Schaumburg Flyers, was ordered by a the court to pay over $500,000 in past due rent to the village.  Ehrenreich's Grand Slam Sports and Entertainment, the Fielders parent company, owes $185,000 in back rent to the city of Zion dating back to the 2010 season.

Lake County Fielders Baseball Announcer Quits On The Air

Lake County Fielders Baseball announcer Qumar Zaman quit while wrapping up his game broadcast last Friday stating the Fielders had not paid him the money owed to him since the beginning of the season.

Field Manager Tim Johnson also quit on July 9th claiming he had not been paid.  In a show of support for Johnson eleven players refused to take the field and then were released by the Fielders.  Assistant coach Pete LaCock resigned after the game and was fined $2,500 and suspended from the league. 

Listen to Zaman quit on the air below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-lcQNKua1-Y

Chris Britton Signed by the Lake County Fielders Baseball

The Lake County Fielders (Zion Illinois) announced they have signed Chris Britton as a starting pitcher for the 2011 season. Britton was drafted by the Orioles in the 8th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft.  Chris pitched in 78 games in the bigs with the Orioles and Yankees from 2006 through 2008.  In 2009 Chris was signed as a free agent by the Padres and released by the Padres in May 2009.

Since then Britton has played the last two seasons in Independent Baseball with the York Revolution and the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association.  Britton was released by the Saltdogs in June of 2010.

Britton was also know for being one of the heaviest players in baseball.  At 275 pounds, the only other major leaguers as heavy or heavier were CC Sabathia, Jonathan Broxton, Bobby Jenks, Adam Dunn and Dimitri Young.

Financing for Lake County Fielders Stadium Approved

On March 22nd the City of Zion approved final financing for the new stadium on Route 173 and Green Bay road in Zion. 

Construction will start next week an will be moving forward with a permanent stadium for the 2011 season.  Contractors will be building around the current stadium adding a grand entrance way, multiple party decks and expanded on-site parking.  The new stadium will be ready for opening day this June.

Lake County Fielders Baseball Trade 2 with Florence Freedom

The Lake County Fielders continue to make off season moves by trading outfielders Kevin Haas and Juan Valdes for pitcher Liam Ohlmann and catcher Justin Pickett.

Right handed pitcher Ohlmann, who spent one season with Florence, had an ERA of 2.97 with 78 strikeouts in 57 2/3rds innings last season.

Pickett hit .231 last year with 13 homers and 49 rbi's.  Pickett, who is listed as a catcher, also plays both first and third base.

Tim Johnson Replaces Fran Riordan as Lake County Fielders Manager

Less than three months after announcing that Fran Riordan will return as field manager for the Lake County Fielders the organization has hired former MLB manager Tim Johnson to manage the club for the 2011 season. 

Johnson, who most recently managed the Independent Tuscon Toros, managed the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1998 season.  The Toros are not fielding a team for the 2011 season with the hopes of Triple-A baseball returning to Tuscon. 

Riordan went 41-59 with the Fielders last season.


 

Joliet JackHammers, Lake County Fielders, Schaumburg Flyers and Rockford RiverHawks Join Newly Formed North American League

The Northern League, Golden Baseball League and the United League announced they have joined forces to create a new professional baseball league to be known as the North American League. 

The league will cover many of the major markets in the U.S. and Canada and expand in 2012.   The North American League will be second to Major League Baseball in terms of the number of teams and geographies.  The existing leagues will keep their names and their business activities and will now adhere to a consistant set of league rules and by-laws.  The league will have 16 - 20 teams in the U.S. and Canada in 2011.

Illinois teams from the Northern League who will be currently joining forces with the North American League are the Joliet JackHammers, Lake County Fielders, Rockford Riverhawks and the Schaumburg Flyers.

Top Ten Prospects from Independent Baseball Leagues

 

Baseball America's top ten pro prospects from Independent leagues....in bold are the players on Independent teams in Illinois.




1.  Matty Johnson - OF - Gateway Grizzlies
2.  Wes Alsup - RHP - Joliet JackHammers
3.  Chris Garcia - 1B - Shreveport-Bossier 
4.  Ryan Sheldon - RHP - Normal CornBelters
5.  Bobby Pritchett - RHP - Normal CornBelters
6.  Josh Short - OF - Lake County Fielders
7.  Donald Brandt - LHP - Maui
8.  Blake Gailen - OF - Chico
9.  Pat Trettel - C - Lincoln
10. Mark Samuelson - 1B - Chico/Yuma/Tijuana

 

Lake County Fielders Josh Short Named 2010 Northern League Rookie of the Year

Josh Short (Lake County Fielders Outfielder) has been voted as the 2010 Northern League Rookie Player of the Year.

Short finished the season with a .326 batting average (4th in the Northern League), 26 home runs (4th in the Northern League) and 84 rbi's (2nd in the Northern League). 

The 6'2" 200lb outfielder was drafted out of high school in 2005 by the Florida Marlins but did not sign.  Short went on to play at Mount Hood Community College in Oregon and signed with the Marlins in 2007.

The Lake County Fielders are part of the Northern League, an independent professional baseball league, and owned in part by Kevin Costner.



 

Lake County Fielders Baseball Opens at Home on July 2nd

Baseball in Illinois News
courtesy of the Lake County Fielders

Zion, IL. The long-awaited arrival of the Lake County Fielders minor league baseball team is drawing near. The Fielders Stadium in Zion , IL will be ready to host Fielders games on Friday, July 2ndat Green Bay Road and Route 173. The July 2nd game will feature post-game live entertainment and fireworks.


All 15 Fielders home games currently scheduled in June will be played at the Carthage College baseball stadium in nearby Kenosha, WI. Ticket policies for those games may be found at fieldersbaseball.com or by calling the Fielders' ticket office at 847-731-8000.

"We are extremely pleased to be of assistance to the Fielders Professional Baseball team in their inaugural season," said Dr. Robert Bonn, Athletic Director of Carthage College. "Coach Augie Schmidt and his staff will have the field in excellent condition to host the first home games of their season. Carthage has experienced a great deal of success on that field and hopefully it will be a good luck charm for the Fielders."

The Fielders, co-owned by Academy Award winner and baseball enthusiast Kevin Costner, are a member of The Northern League, which plays a 100-game schedule from mid-May through early September.

"We're all very anxious for the Fielders to play in front of our hometown fans," said Fielders President Rich Ehrenreich, "We appreciate everyone's patience during the past 18 months, and look forward to Opening Day in both Kenosha and Zion."




 

Lake County Fielders Begin Construction on Baseball Stadium Village

Baseball in Ilinois News
courtesy of the Lake County Fielders

The City of Zion has announced that its construction of a planned multi-million dollar minor league baseball stadium is scheduled to begin next week. The stadium project is now worthy of a blockbuster major league trade announcement beginning with its new location on a 23-acre site at the NE corner of the Rt. 173 and Green Bay Road, gateway to Trumpet Park and the City of Zion. The "ballpark village" will include a year round multi-use development showcasing retail shops, multi-screen movie theatre, and restaurant.


The site of the project is currently commercially zoned vacant land with sewer, water, road, traffic, and power infrastructure already self-contained, allowing construction to commence immediately, in contrast to the former location. The city proactively pursued this new site on behalf of the 2010 baseball season. "The commercial appeal of this new location has attracted exciting new private investment allowing for the project to expand and it's really the premier home for this project for generations into the future" said Mayor Lane Harrison, "Plus, the addition of retail shops and a movie theatre will create an exciting year round entertainment and shopping atmosphere, more jobs in our community, and attract further development in the area."

The stadium will be home to the Northern League's Lake County Fielders, a minor league baseball team co-owned by Academy Award winner and baseball enthusiast Kevin Costner. The stadium will also contain a permanent concert stage, and a banquet facility that will be open all year.

"I applaud Mayor Harrison's long term vision for this project, and his uncompromising dedication to the quality of life for the residents in his community," said Fielders' President Rich Ehrenreich, "We've waited 20 years to see minor league baseball in Lake County, and it will all be worth the wait. "

Lake County Fielders Stadium Design Finalized

Baseaball in Illinois News
courtesy of the Lake County Fielders

The City of Zion and the Lake County Fielders will present a redesign of its minor league baseball stadium to the public at the Fielders upcoming Fan Fest, February 21-23. The redesign incorporates all the elements of the initial stadium design (including suites, banquet facility, party decks, and concert stage) into a single-story structure that will be built to expand vertically in the future.



"The single story nature of having all the fan elements on one level brings the fun atmosphere closer together for everyone to enjoy," said Beth Alderson, Fielders Manager of Community Relations, "and it also saves over a month of construction time."


The Fielders are co-owned by Academy Award winner and baseball enthusiast Kevin Costner, and are set to begin its inaugural Northern League season in May, 2010. For details about the Fielders, its Fan Fest, and upcoming events, log onto www.fieldersbaseball.com or call (847) 731-8000.

Lake County Fielders Baseball Fan Fest in Libertyville Illinois

Baseball in Illinois News

The Lake County Fielders, the new professional baseball team co-owned by Kevin Costner, has announced plans for its first Fan Fest, February 21-23, announced Beth Alderson, Community Relations and Promotions Manager for the team.


“This is the first chance for the community to get together and welcome the team members, have photos taken, get autographs and just enjoy the day,” Alderson said about the first day of Fan Fest, “and it’s free of charge.”

Family Day will kick off the festivities at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 21 at the Libertyville Sports Complex, 1950 N. Highway 45. The three-hour event will include meeting members of the 2010 Fielders players and coaching staff, a clinic for the youngsters to learn baseball skills from the pros, autographs and photo opportunities, Q & A with the players and staff, and much more.

On Monday, February 22, Fielders staff and players will be making media visits and will be available at In-Laws Restaurant & Sports Lounge, 720 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Gurnee from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., where the public is invited to share drinks and appetizers. Fielders’ season ticket holders will have special VIP access to the event.

On Tuesday, February 23, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Milan Banquets. The luncheon is open to the public and guests may RSVP by visiting www.lakecountychamber.com or by calling 847-249-3800.

‘After Hours with the Fielders’ will closeout the Fan Fest from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, 500 E. Rollins Rd. in Round Lake, where fans can take advantage of $.49 wings & drink specials provided all evening by Miller Lite.

“The Fielders, including team members and front office staff, truly appreciate the welcome we’ve received to date,” Alderson said, “and we’re looking for a great turn out at Fan Fest.”

For a more complete schedule of appearances or more information, call the Fielders at 847-731-8000.

Lake County Fielders Tickets go on Sale November 27th

Information provided by the Lake County Fielders

November 06, 2009

Zion, Illinois. When Gurnee Mills shoppers mark the start of Black Friday, they'll have one more item to add to their list. The Lake County Fielders will put tickets to all fifty 2010 home games on sale when Gurnee Mills Mall opens it's doors at Midnight on Friday November 27th.

The Lake County Fielders minor league baseball team will open its inaugural 2010 Northern League season on the road May 20 against the Winnipeg Goldeyes in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Fielders will start its 100-game, 2010 season with 20 road games to accommodate the construction schedule for a new stadium in Zion, IL.

The Fielders, owned in part by Academy Award winner Kevin Costner, will begin its home game schedule with its Home Opener on June 11 against regional rival Gary SouthShore RailCats.

The Fielders will play most weeknight home games at 7:00 PM, with Saturday games at 6:00 PM, and Sunday games at 1:00 PM.