CornBelter Baseball's Rich Mascheri Signs Yankees

Normal CornBelter left handed pitcher Rich Mascheri has had his contract purchased by the New York Yankees last week.  

Mascheri had 10 saves with 2.29 era in 26 appearances this season with the CornBelters.  Mascheri also represented the West Division at the Frontier League All-Star game.  

Rich played college baseball at Western Illinois University and lives in Wauconda, Illinois.

Illinois Independent Baseball Teams 2012 Tryout Dates

Two Illinois independent professional baseball teams announced tryout dates for 2012 recently.

The Normal CornBelters will hold a tryout on Sunday January 29th at Faulkner University in Montgomery Alabama.  The tryout starts at 2:00 pm and will cost $60.  For more information you can email cparker@normalbaseball.com.

The Gateway Grizzlies will hold a tryout on Sunday April 15th at 8:00 am.  The tryout will be held at GCS Ballpark in Sauget Illinois. 

For more information on both tryouts you can click on the link below.

Frontier League Team Tryouts

Normal CornBelters Independent Baseball Tryouts

The Normal CornBelters have announced a tryout date of November 12, 2011 for the independent baseball club located in Normal Illinois.  The tryout will be held at Shorter University in Rome GA and start at 1:00 pm.  The CornBelters will also hold three more tryouts, one in Alabama in December, one in the Chicagoland area in March 2012 and one in Normal in May 2012. 


For more information you can contact Field Manager Chad Parker at cparker@normalbaseball.com

Normal CornBelters Baseball to Host 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game

The Normal Cornbelters will host the 2012 Frontier League All-Star game on Wednesday July 11th at the Corn Crib in Normal Illinois.  A Home Run Derby will be held on Tuesday July 10th. 

The Frontier League also added two additional teams for next season, London, Ontario and Schaumburg.  The Frontier League is an independent professional baseball league with 14 teams in two divisions (East and West) with seven teams in each division.

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.

Normal CornBelters Fire Manager Hal Lanier

The Normal CornBelters announced that they will not be renewing the contract of field manger Hal Lanier after a 46-50 finish in the 2011 season.  In two seasons Lanier led the CornBelters to a 90-102 record.

General Manager Steve Mallet based his decision on much higher expectations and believes the talent pool of players grew significantly this season. 

Baseball in Illinois does not have information on who within the organization is responsible for drafting and signing players.

The CornBelters are an independent professional baseball team that plays in Normal, Illinois.

Normal CornBelters Baseball Acquire Liam Ohlmann From the Lake County Fielders

The Normal CornBelters right-handed pitcher Liam Olhmann from the Lake County Fielders for a player to be named later as reported on Tuesday by the Frontier League.  Olhmann is projected in the closer role for the CornBelters as the hard-throwing righty had six saves, 78 strikeouts and allowed only 43 hits in 57 2/3rds innings last season. 

Olhmann was traded from Florence to Lake County in February and spent 2008 and 2009 in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system. 

Normal CornBelter Baseball to Host 2012 Frontier League All-Star Game

Corn Crib

The Normal CornBelters along with the Frontier league announced that the 2012 Frontier Baseball League will host the 2012 All-Star game at the Corn Crib in Normal Illinois.

The 2012 All-Star game will take place on July 11, 2012.

The All-Star game for this season will take place on July 13th, 2011 in Lake Erie Ohio and hosted by the Lake Erie Crushers.

Pritchett Returns for CornBelters Baseball for 2011

Bobby Pritchett, who is ranked as the #5 prospect for independent baseball by Baseball America, will return to the CornBelter pitching staff for 2011.

Pritchett joined the CornBelters in late June last season and finished with a 2-2 record, 2.86 ERA and 79 K's in 72.1/3rd innings.  Pritchett's fastball has been clocked as high as 94.

The CornBelters season starts on May 20, 2011 against the River City Rascals in O'Fallon MO.

CornBelter Baseball Selects Jeremy Jones, Luis Fernandez and Nolan Shaffer in Dispersal Draft

The Normal CornBelters selected outfielder Jeremy Jones, shortstop Luis Fernandez and right handed pitcher Nolan Shaffer from the Oakland County Cruisers dispersal draft.

Jones finished last season with a .276 batting average, 9 homers and 62 rbi's.

Fernandez ended his 2010 season hitting .238 with two dingers and 22 rbi's.

Shaffer wound up his 2010 season with a 4-6 record and a 5.21 era.

 

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

 

CornBelter Baseball Makes Roster Moves

Baseball in Illinois News

The Normal Cornbelters made a few roster moves this week acquiring infielder Steve Alexander from the Lincoln Saltdogs along with signing pitcher Ricky Narravo and outfielder Kelly Kmiecik. 

Alexander attended Sacramento City Junior College in Sacramento, CA. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 27th round of the 2005 draft. This past season, he hit .236 with 49 RBI and 11 home runs in 79 games with the Saltdogs.

Narravo attended the University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. He amassed a 4-1 record this past fall in the Arizona Fall League. In just over 30 innings pitched, he struck out 37 while allowing 36 hits.

Kmiecik attended Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC. He posted a batting average of .447 with 12 RBI in 14 games in the Arizona Fall League.

Normal CornBelters Trade For Phil Laurent

The Normal CornBelters acquired Phil Laurent from the Washington Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League.  Laurent who is a native of Springfield Illinois was traded for future considerations.

Laurent attended Liberty University in Virginia and started his professional career with the River City Rascals and signed with the San Diego Padres following that season.  In 2009 with the Wild Things Laurent hit .335 with 8 home runs and 40 rbi's in 49 games.

Normal CornBelters Independent Baseball Holds Open Tryouts

The Normal CornBelters will hold open tryouts in Houston Texas on April 13th and 14th 2010 in cooperation with Indy Pro Showcase.  For more information follow the link below:

Normal CornBelters Open Tryouts

Normal Illinois CornBelter Baseball Sign Four More

Baseball In Illinois News

The CornBelters recently signed right-handed pitchers Sam Heaps and Charles Gordon. CornBelters also signed catcher Andrew Barbaro and 2nd Baseman Jeff Cowan.


Heaps attended Elizabethtown College in Elizabethtown, PA. He posted a 2.95 ERA with a record of 6-1, including four complete games. He allowed 52 hits in 73 1/3 innings, striking out 87 and walking just 15 while holding opponents to a .198 BA. He also batted .390 with an OBP of .495 while committing just one error in 211 attempts.

Gordon attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. He finished last season with a record of 4-4 and a 4.83 ERA. In 50 1/3 innings he allowed 55 hits, striking out 39 and holding his opponents to a .281BA.



Barbaro has spent a few years in professional baseball. Recently, he was with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the independent Frontier League. He hit .271 in 36 games with an OBP of .421 driving in 8 runs on 26 hits in 115 AB. Late in the season, he was traded to the Lincoln Saltdogs of the independent American Association where he batted .263 in only 19 AB.

Cowen is a native of Canada. He attended High Point University in High Point, NC. He was a four-year starter at second base, and he hit .290 with 30 RBI in 52 games this past season. He finished the season with an OBP of .398, 11 doubles, 23 BB and 18 HBP.

CornBelters Baseball Sign Two

Baseball in Illinois News

The Normal CornBelters recently signed infielder Jack Mikel and right-handed pitcher Adam Knight. Mikel is a Bloomington, IL native and former Tri-Valley high school standout.

Mikel attended Culver/Stockton University in Canton, MO and earned his degree in Sports Management in May of 2009. He finished his senior season with a .338 batting average and .422 on-base percentage in 160 at-bats. He also earned first-team Heart of America Athletic Conference honors and was dubbed a gold-glove winner leading all outfielders with six assists, and a 1.000 fielding percentage, in 74 chances.

Knight, a 6-foot, 6-inch 220-pounder, attended Georgia St. University in Atlanta, GA. He posted a 5.60 ERA with the Panthers last year. He finished the season with a 3-4 record allowing just 38 hits in 45 innings while holding his opponents to a .235 batting average.

Cornbelters Baseball Acquire Eric Brown and Asif Shah

Baseball in Illinois News Sources

In exchange for future considerations, the CornBelters acquired SS Eric Brown from the Amarillo Dillas of the Independent United League and OF Asif Shah from the Chico Outlaws of the Independent Golden Baseball League. The CornBelters will play the first home game of their inaugural season at the Corn Crib on Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. versus the Windy City Thunderbolts.


Brown attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. He is working towards earning a B.S. in Occupational Education. After spending time in the Independent Continental League, he was traded to Amarillo Dillas of the United Baseball League where he hit .455 with 15 RBI and two home runs in 55 AB.

Shah attended Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, MO. He signed with Chico this past off season and hit .345 with seven RBI and two home runs in 58 AB.

Cornbelters Add Three to 2010 Roster

Baseball in Illinois News

The Normal CornBelters, presented by the Illinois Corn Farmers, recently added three players to their roster. OF Garrett Bass, OF Joe Hicks and 3B Daniel Cox are the latest additions. The CornBelters will play the first home game of their inaugural season at the Corn Crib on Tuesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. versus the Windy City Thunderbolts.


Bass is the son of former Major League player Kevin Bass. He attended Jacksonville State in Jacksonville, AL. He was drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2007. He finished last season in the Continental League with a .273 BA in 54 games. He had 48 RBI and seven home runs.

Hicks was drafted out of Forrest Brook High school in Houston, TX. He was selected in the 9th round of the 2002 draft by the Pittsburg Pirates. He spent last season in the Continental League, where he hit .302 with 40 RBI and 11 home runs in 54 games.



Cox was undrafted out of college. He spent last season in the Continental League, where he amassed 48 RBI and seven home runs.

 

CornBelters say stadium could be ready 'as close to April 1st as possible'

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

NORMAL ILLINOIS — Normal CornBelters president Steve Malliet acknowledged Thursday a target date of “as close to April 1st as possible” to have the team’s stadium under construction at Heartland Community College ready for baseball action.


That all but assures the facility, to be known as the Corn Crib, will not be available for Heartland’s March 19 home opener.

Heartland has four home dates and six games scheduled for March. And although early spring games are frequently postponed by inclement weather, Hawks’ athletic director and baseball coach Nate Metzger said the team had expected their future home would be ready.


“That was what we were told, what we counted on,” Metzger said. “You can’t control the weather. We can understand that. It is easy to get frustrated and want something now.

Heartland will play its home games at the PONY Complex in Bloomington until the field is ready for use.

Cornbelters Sign Five for 2010

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

Normal, Illinois - The Normal CornBelters, presented by the Illinois Corn Farmers, recently signed their five players. RHP pitcher Jarrett Coker and LHP Alex Smith, C/1B Ryan Boelsen and OF Tim Rawlings, and INF Mike Garcia are the first-ever additions to the roster.

Coker, 24, attended Columbus State University in Georgia where he was a part of the All-Conference first team in 2009. The 6’2”, 190 lb right handed pitcher signed with the White Sox as a non drafted free agent in August of 2009 to the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League. He was 3-2 with a 5.32 ERA and .289 opponent batting average in his rookie season with the Voyagers.

Smith, 25, born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, attended the University of Virginia and was signed to the Sussex SkyHawks in the Can-Am league in 2009. The left handed pitcher was 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA and a .293 opponent battling average in his first professional season with the SkyHawks. “


Boelsen, 23, comes to the CornBelters as a double threat able to play both catcher and first base. The Garden City, New York native attended Adelphi College where he was named to the first team All-Conference in the ECC. Recently, Boelsen played for the Sussex SkyHawks of the Can-Am league where he had a .224 average in 49 at bats.

Rawlings, standing 6’0” and 210 lb, played for Augusta State University after coming off a very successful start to his college career with the College of Lake County in Illinois. Originally from Mundelein, IL, Rawlings batted .393 with five home runs and 12 doubles. The catcher also proved to be at the top of his game with 39 stolen bases.


Garcia earned his communications degree from Newman University where he was named the 2007 male student athlete of the year. He led the team with a .400 batting average and 42 RBIs while also maintaining a 3.8 GPA. In 2009 Garcia signed with the Joliet Jackhammers of the Northern League. This past summer he had a .286 average in 49 at bats, 14 hits and 7 RBIs.