Matt was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
Showing posts with label Peoria Chiefs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peoria Chiefs. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Peoria Chiefs Matt Szcur Named #9 Top Prospect in Midwest League
Matt was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Casey Kopitzke Returns to Manage the Peoria Chiefs for 2011
Kopitzke, a Green Bay native, was drafted by the Cubs in in 1999 out of the University of Wisconsin. Overall Kopitzke has spent 12 years in the Cubs organization as a player, coach and manager.
Fassero, a Sprinfield IL native, attended Springfield Griffin High School and Lincoln Land College, spent 16 years in professional baseball. This is Jeff's second season as a coach in the Cubs organization as last year he was with the Boise Hawks.
Medina makes his second appearance as the Chiefs hitting coach, last time in 2005. Medina signed with the Cubs in 1989 and played in Peoria from 1991-1993.
A.J. Larson was also in Boise last season with Fassero which was his first season with in the Cubs organization. Larson graduated from Northern Illinois University.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Casey Kopitzke Returns to Manage The Peoria Chiefs for 2011
Kopitzke will be joined by Springfield IL native and former Chicago Cub reliever Jeff Fassero. Fassero will be in charge of the Chiefs pitching staff. Also assigned to the Chiefs are hitting coach Ricardo Medina, who was with the Chiefs in 2005, and athletic trainer A.J. Larson.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Peoria Chiefs - Cubs Caravan Returning to Peoria
Other players on the Cubs Caravan include Koyie Hill and Andres Blanco, former Chiefs Jim Adduci and Justin Berg, Cubs Assistant General Manager Randy Bush, Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita, third base coach Mike Quade and bullpen coach Lester Strode. Comcast broadcaster Dave Otto will emcee the event.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
JackHammer California Tryouts Dates Have Changed!
JOLIET, ILLINOIS- The Joliet JackHammers have updated the dates for their upcoming tryouts in California. The first of the two tryouts will be held at San Diego Christian College at noon on January 9, 2010 in San Diego. The second will be held on January 10 at The Masters College in Los Angeles at 10am. For more information, contact Chad Parker at chad@jackhammerbaseball.com.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
2010 Chiefs Field Staff
The Chicago Cubs and Peoria Chiefs announced the 2010 coaching staff on Thursday.
Manager Casey Kopitzke
Drafted in the 27th round of the 1999 draft out of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. ... Played eight seasons reaching as high as Triple-A and hit .230 in 495 games. ... Served as the Cubs minor-league catching coordinator in 2007 and 2008. ... Managed Boise to a 34-42 record in the short-season Northwest League.
Hitting coach Barbaro Garbey
Returns to Peoria after helping Chiefs hitters lead the Midwest League in average and home runs in 2009. ... Served as hitting coach for Chiefs in 2006 and at Tennessee in 2007 and 2008.
Pitching coach David Rosario
Returns to Peoria where he was pitching coach in 2007. ... Pitching coach for Daytona in 2008 when Cubs won Florida State League title and in Boise last year.
Trainer Dan Golden
A 2006 graduate of Western Illinois, was an intern with the Cubs in 2007 and was in Boise last year.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Former Peoria Chief Selected by Cubs
Indianapolis - The Chicago Cubs today selected right-handed pitcher Michael Parisi from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Major League portion (first round, 12th overall) of the Rule 5 Draft.
Parisi, 26, is 40-39 with a 4.27 ERA (309 ER/651.0 IP) in 115 career minor league starts in the Cardinals' chain. He was originally selected by St. Louis in the ninth round of the 2004 June Draft out of Manhattan College in New York, New York.
In 2009, the six-foot-three, 215-pounder went 0-2 with a 4.70 ERA (8 ER/15.1 IP) in five starts between the Rookie-League Cardinals and Single-A Palm Beach. He was sidelined most of the season, while recovering from "Tommy John" surgery, which was performed August 20, 2008. He also pitched for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
In 2008, Parisi made his major league debut May 5 at Colorado, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings. He posted an 8.22 ERA (21 ER/23.0 IP) in 12 appearances (two starts) in two stints with the Cardinals. He spent a majority of the season with Triple-A Memphis, posting an 8-2 mark with a 3.86 ERA (36 ER/84.0 IP) in 15 starts.
Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 38 players.
Peoria Chiefs Win ILSTMA Field of the Year!
Peoria Chiefs: News: Article: "Chiefs Win ILSTMA FIeld of the Year"
Head Groundskeeper Noel Brusius to accept award December 16 in Lemont
By Nathan Baliva / Peoria Chiefs
The Peoria Chiefs and the Illinois Sports Turf Managers Association have announced that O'Brien Field and Head Groundskeeper Noel Brusius have been selected as 2009 ILSTMA Field of the Year. The awards ceremony will take place at The Golf House in Lemont on December 16 with Brusius accepting the award for Field of the Year.
"This is an outstanding honor for us, Noel and the field," said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. "Our field has a lot of usage over the year between Chiefs, Bradley and high school games. To win this award shows the knowledge and dedication Noel has to his profession and our field. It is a great honor for him and his crew."
In addition to the Chiefs playing 70 games of Midwest League baseball at O'Brien Field, the stadium is also home to the Bradley Braves baseball team, various high school games and non-baseball events. Between March 24 and October 17, 2009, O'Brien Field hosted 195 events in 209 days. This included 72 Chiefs games and three practices, 30 Bradley games and 61 practices, 23 high school games and 18 other events including softball games, corporate batting practice outings, post-game concerts and the annual Chiefs Fan Fest. The 195 on-field events represent a seven percent increase over the same time frame during the 2008 season.
Brusius just completed his second season with the Chiefs in a career that has included stops with the St. Paul Saints and Detroit Tigers. A 2003 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Brusius also earned an A.S. in Sports Turf Management from Anoka-Hennepin in 2006. After five years with the Sports/Athletic Field Maintenance for the Oshkosh Area School District in Wisconsin, Brusius took his first job in baseball with the St. Paul Saints as a Grounds Crew Intern during the 2005 season. After one year in Minnesota, he moved on to the Detroit Tigers as a full-time Grounds Crew member for the 2006 and 2007 seasons at Comerica Park. Brusius was hired as the Chiefs Head Groundskeeper in February 2008 and manages a crew that includes seven other workers, one full-time, two interns and four event-only employees.
"Being recognized by the ILSTMA for all of our hard work and dedication is truly a great honor and distinction to everyone that has played a role," said Brusius. "Personally I would like to thank all of my previous and current employers and staff members for the tremendous effort it takes to garnish an accomplishment of this magnitude. In addition, a special thanks to our partners at Birkey's Turf equipment and Spring Green Lawn Care and to the ILSTMA for all the services they provide."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Head Groundskeeper Noel Brusius to accept award December 16 in Lemont
By Nathan Baliva / Peoria Chiefs
"This is an outstanding honor for us, Noel and the field," said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. "Our field has a lot of usage over the year between Chiefs, Bradley and high school games. To win this award shows the knowledge and dedication Noel has to his profession and our field. It is a great honor for him and his crew."
In addition to the Chiefs playing 70 games of Midwest League baseball at O'Brien Field, the stadium is also home to the Bradley Braves baseball team, various high school games and non-baseball events. Between March 24 and October 17, 2009, O'Brien Field hosted 195 events in 209 days. This included 72 Chiefs games and three practices, 30 Bradley games and 61 practices, 23 high school games and 18 other events including softball games, corporate batting practice outings, post-game concerts and the annual Chiefs Fan Fest. The 195 on-field events represent a seven percent increase over the same time frame during the 2008 season.
Brusius just completed his second season with the Chiefs in a career that has included stops with the St. Paul Saints and Detroit Tigers. A 2003 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Brusius also earned an A.S. in Sports Turf Management from Anoka-Hennepin in 2006. After five years with the Sports/Athletic Field Maintenance for the Oshkosh Area School District in Wisconsin, Brusius took his first job in baseball with the St. Paul Saints as a Grounds Crew Intern during the 2005 season. After one year in Minnesota, he moved on to the Detroit Tigers as a full-time Grounds Crew member for the 2006 and 2007 seasons at Comerica Park. Brusius was hired as the Chiefs Head Groundskeeper in February 2008 and manages a crew that includes seven other workers, one full-time, two interns and four event-only employees.
"Being recognized by the ILSTMA for all of our hard work and dedication is truly a great honor and distinction to everyone that has played a role," said Brusius. "Personally I would like to thank all of my previous and current employers and staff members for the tremendous effort it takes to garnish an accomplishment of this magnitude. In addition, a special thanks to our partners at Birkey's Turf equipment and Spring Green Lawn Care and to the ILSTMA for all the services they provide."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Peoria Chiefs: News: Article
Peoria Chiefs: News: Article: "Beloved Chiefs mascot signs new contract for 2010 season and beyond
By Nathan Baliva / Peoria Chiefs"
Peoria, IL - The Peoria Chiefs announced on Tuesday that despite recent rumors to the contrary, their beloved mascot Homer has signed a new lifetime contract to remain in Central Illinois. With his previous five-year contract ending Monday night, speculation had been running wild that Homer may leave Peoria to take over as head football coach at Notre Dame.
"This is where I want to be," Homer said Tuesday through his spokesman Lucas Smith. "Notre Dame football is a dream job for some people and it is humbling to be considered. But when it comes down to it, this is where I want to be working for as long as they'll have me."
The rumors started a couple of weeks ago when Homer's name was linked in an online report as a possible successor to fired football coach Charlie Weis. Despite having no prior football coaching experience, certain Notre Dame boosters were pushing hard for Homer to get the job and return Notre Dame football to its glory days. It is unclear when Notre Dame officials first contacted Homer or if they made an official offer. But with the Chiefs coming off an 81-win season and a playoff appearance, the timing was right for Homer to renew his contract.
"I can't help what's said in the press or online," stated Homer in a conference call with reporters. "I fully intend to be in Peoria and hopefully for a good while. You never know what the good lord brings you, but in the end I couldn't be more excited with the quality of players coming through this organization and with the great fans that support us night in and night out. I couldn't be more pleased about what we are doing here in Peoria and what the future holds."
The new contract for Homer makes him the highest paid dog mascot in the Midwest League. "This deal gives me a lifetime of security," Homer said in a prepared statement. "I now have more bones than I know what to do with and it allows me to get more costumes for our outstanding and unique 2010 theme nights and promotions at O'Brien Field."
The Chiefs are also thrilled with the deal from their end and happy to put a close to the rampant rumors both online and in the local community.
"The rumors the last few weeks weighed heavily on everyone in the organization," said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. "Notre Dame is a great institution but we think Homer made the right decision and we are beyond excited to keep him in Central Illinois for 2010 and the foreseeable future. This new contract is to the benefit of everyone involved and we wish Notre Dame well in their coaching search, they just aren't going to get one of ours!"
With Homer back in the fold, the O'Brien Field Fan Zone will continue selling Homer merchandise along with other Chiefs items throughout the Holiday season. The Fan Zone is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. while season and group tickets are available by calling 309-680-4000 or visiting www.peoriachiefs.com
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
By Nathan Baliva / Peoria Chiefs"
"This is where I want to be," Homer said Tuesday through his spokesman Lucas Smith. "Notre Dame football is a dream job for some people and it is humbling to be considered. But when it comes down to it, this is where I want to be working for as long as they'll have me."
The rumors started a couple of weeks ago when Homer's name was linked in an online report as a possible successor to fired football coach Charlie Weis. Despite having no prior football coaching experience, certain Notre Dame boosters were pushing hard for Homer to get the job and return Notre Dame football to its glory days. It is unclear when Notre Dame officials first contacted Homer or if they made an official offer. But with the Chiefs coming off an 81-win season and a playoff appearance, the timing was right for Homer to renew his contract.
"I can't help what's said in the press or online," stated Homer in a conference call with reporters. "I fully intend to be in Peoria and hopefully for a good while. You never know what the good lord brings you, but in the end I couldn't be more excited with the quality of players coming through this organization and with the great fans that support us night in and night out. I couldn't be more pleased about what we are doing here in Peoria and what the future holds."
The new contract for Homer makes him the highest paid dog mascot in the Midwest League. "This deal gives me a lifetime of security," Homer said in a prepared statement. "I now have more bones than I know what to do with and it allows me to get more costumes for our outstanding and unique 2010 theme nights and promotions at O'Brien Field."
The Chiefs are also thrilled with the deal from their end and happy to put a close to the rampant rumors both online and in the local community.
"The rumors the last few weeks weighed heavily on everyone in the organization," said Chiefs President Rocky Vonachen. "Notre Dame is a great institution but we think Homer made the right decision and we are beyond excited to keep him in Central Illinois for 2010 and the foreseeable future. This new contract is to the benefit of everyone involved and we wish Notre Dame well in their coaching search, they just aren't going to get one of ours!"
With Homer back in the fold, the O'Brien Field Fan Zone will continue selling Homer merchandise along with other Chiefs items throughout the Holiday season. The Fan Zone is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. while season and group tickets are available by calling 309-680-4000 or visiting www.peoriachiefs.com
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Peoria Chiefs Used Game Jerseys from 2007-2009 available for sale
The Peoria Chiefs are a minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, compete in the Midwest League and play their home games O'Brien Field in Peoria, Illinois.
Professional baseball in Peoria can be traced back to 1878, with the formation of an independent team named the Peoria Reds. In mid September 2004 the Chiefs announced an affiliation switch back to the Chicago Cubs. This change was accompanied with a new logo in November and new jerseys for the 2005 season.
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