Good Bye

Saltdogs Fans -

This is Len Clark. I was asked to resign as the director of broadcasting and communications in early February.

Just want to thank everyone for visiting this blog and for your support of the team.

Perhaps, we'll meet again on the radio in the near future.

Len

Saltdog Signs with Rockies

Lincoln, NE – Catcher Luis Apodaca, who recently signed with Lincoln, has signed a professional contract with the Colorado Rockies organization.

Apodaca spent the 2005 season in the Washington Nationals minor league system, playing for Savannah Sandgnats (A) in the South Atlantic League, appearing in seven games, and with the Vermont Expos (A) of the New York-Penn League, where he played in 35 games. In 2005 for Vermont, Apodaca batted .257 avg. with 0 HRs and 18 RBI.

The 2006 season marks the eighth year of professional baseball for the Caracas, Venezuela, native. His career totals are a batting average of .262 avg. with 6 HRs and 93 RBI.

Apodoca, 23, was signed as a non drafted free agent by the, then, Montreal Expos in 1998 and becomes the 5th Saltdogs’ player to sign with a major league organization during the off season. Other Lincoln players signing include:

Humberto Cardenas-Colorado Rockies
Albenis Machado-Baltimore Orioles
Gabe Suarez-Baltimore Orioles
Kevin Sullivan-Chicago Cubs


The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 pm.


--Saltdogs--

Pichi Balet Signs

Lincoln, Neb. – Infielder Frederico “Pichi” Balet (LS-4) will be back in a Lincoln Saltdogs’ uniform this season after signing a contract, the team announced.

“Pichi is the type of player that comes to play everyday,” said Saltdogs manager Tim Johnson. “He is fundamentally solid, both defensively and offensively, and is a fierce competitor. We expect big things from him this season.”

Balet appeared in 88 games last season for Lincoln, batting .331.avg with 12 HRs and 79 RBI.

A native of West Palm Beach, FL, Balet, 28, will begin his sixth season of professional baseball and his second with the Saltdogs. He originally signed with the Dubois County Dragons (Independent) of the Frontier League after playing college baseball at Florida State University and Cumberland (TN) University.

The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 pm.


--Saltdogs--

Cory Harris Signs

Lincoln, NE - The Lincoln Saltdogs have signed outfielder Cory Harris.
Harris batted .341 avg. with 21 HRs and 62 RBI and had a fielding
percentage of .982%. Harris and Bryan Warner set the franchise record
for home runs in a season with 21.

"Cory is an impact player. We are fortunate to have him back again
this season. He plays each game like there is no tomorrow," said
Saltdogs manager Tim Johnson.

Named to the Northern League All-Star Team last season, Harris was also
named to Baseball America's All-Independent League All-Star Second
Team. He won the "Home Run Derby" competition at the Northern
League All-Star Game in Gary.

In 2005, Harris set, or tied, Northern League Record's in Games
Played (96 - Tied); At-Bats in a Season (417) and Doubles (40). He was
named "NL Player of the Week" for the week of May 22nd.

Harris set, or tied, Lincoln records in Games Played (96); Home Runs
(21-Tied); Doubles (40) and Consecutive Games with a Hit (19).

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Harris will begin his eighth season in
professional baseball. In seven seasons, Harris has a career batting
average of .299 with 57 HR's and 303 RBI's in 2006 at-bats.

Harris played college baseball at Pensacola Junior College before being
selected by the New York Mets in the 40th round of the 1999 draft.

The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of
Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season
of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first
pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is
scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05
pm.

#Saltdogs

Former Saltdog in Camp with Rockies

Lincoln, NE – RHP Humberto Cardenas, who pitched last season for the Lincoln Saltdogs, and is brother of Colorado Rockies pitcher David Cortes, has been invited to the Rockies' minor league camp.

Cardenas, an infielder until three years ago, went 4-5 with a 4.36 ERA last season for the Saltdogs, and pitched with the Mexicali Aguilas in the Mexican Pacific League this winter for manager Tim Johnson.

-30-

Saltdogs Ink Backstop

Lincoln, NE * Catcher Luis Apodaca (LS-5) has signed a contract with the Lincoln Saltdogs.

Apodaca spent the 2005 season in the Washington Nationals minor league system, playing for Savannah Sandgnats (A) in the South Atlantic League, appearing in seven games, and with the Vermont Expos (A) of the New York-Penn League, where he played in 35 games. In 2005 for Vermont, Apodaca batted .257 avg. with 0 HRs and 18 RBI.

The 2006 season marks the eighth year of professional baseball for the new Saltdogs catcher. His career totals are a batting average of .262 avg. with 6 HRs and 93 RBI.

A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Apodoca, 23, was signed as a non drafted free agent by the, then, Montreal Expos in 1998.

The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 pm.

#Saltdogs

Warner Signed

Lincoln, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs have announced the signing of veteran Bryan Warner for the 2006 season. This season will be Warner's sixth season in Lincoln.

"Having our captain back this season is important to our team from a leadership standpoint," stated Johnson. "He was with me for a while in Mexico and that experience made him an even better ballplayer."

Warner, 31, appeared in 95 games last season for the Saltdogs batting .352 avg. with 21 HRs and 104 RBI (which tied a Northern League record). He was named to the Northern League All-Star team last season and was the League's "Player of the Month" for the month of July. His post-season honors included the Northern League's Most Valuable Player, the second time he has won the award, and he was selected to Baseball America's All-Independent League All-Star Team.

During his five year career with the Saltdogs, Warner has played in 427 games, has a career batting average of .326 avg. with 72 HRs and 352 RBI for the Saltdogs.

Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians following his selection in the 14th round of the 1994 draft, Warner signed with the Saltdogs on April 23, 2001.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season and hope to bring a championship to the fans in Lincoln," said Warner.

The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 pm.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Coaching Staff in Place

Saltdogs Name Coaching Staff
Former Major Leaguer Bobby Randall Joins Saltdogs Staff; Allen and Workman Return

LINCOLN, Neb. * The Lincoln Saltdogs announced today that former major league player and college/professional coach Bobby Randall will join the team as hitting/third base coach, and that pitching coach Jim Allen and first base coach Mike Workman will return this season.

Randall has spent the past few seasons as a coach in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Last season, Randall served as hitting coach for the Helena Brewers (Rookie) and in 2004 he coached third base and served a hitting coach for the Indianapolis Indians (AAA).

A former Kansas State University shortstop, the Norton, KS native was drafted in the second round of the 1969 draft (32nd pick overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played 12 seasons of professional baseball, including five seasons with the Minnesota Twins. Prior to his coaching role with the Brewers organization, he served as head coach at the Univeristy of Kansas for seven seasons (1995-2002) after spending 14 seasons as a coach at Iowa State University, the last 11 as head coach.

"Bobby has an exceptional baseball mind," said Saltdogs Manager Tim Johnson. "He has the ability to make us a better hitting ballclub," added Johnson.

Randall replaces Ira Smith, who was hired by the Joliet Jackhammers last December, as hitting coach. In 2005, the Saltdogs led the Northern League in hitting with a .302. batting average.

***Items of Interest***
Drafted three times by the Los Angeles Dodgers organization
Replaced Hall of Fame Player Rod Carew at Second Base
Set a Minnesota Twins second basemen record with a .985 fielding % in 1977.
Coached former Saltdogs Coach, and current Calgary Vipers Manager, Mike Busch at Iowa State University

Randall and his wife, Libby, reside in Lawrence, KS.

Pitching Coach Jim Allen will return to Lincoln to begin his second year with the Saltdogs. Last season, the Saltdogs had a team ERA of 4.62.

Allen, a Phoenix, AZ native, spent 30 years with the San Diego Padres organization pitching batting practice. Signed out of Cal Western by the Padres as a player, Allen also spent seven years in the Los Angeles Dodger's organization. During the 1972 season, he played with Saltdogs Manager Tim Johnson in El Paso and has also been a teammate of Bobby Randall in the Dodgers organization.

Allen is excited about returning to Lincoln. "Last year was a great learning experience for me, personally. Having Bobby (Randall) on the staff and working again with TJ brings back some great memories," said Allen. "I hope we can create some new memories for Lincoln this season."

Rounding out the 2006 Saltdogs coaching staff is Mike Workman, who will begin his third season on the coaching staff.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity the Saltdogs have, again, given to me," said Workman. "My goal is to become a manager and everyday is a learning experience for me."

"Mike is willing to do anything we ask him to do, in order to help the team win. That's why I wanted him back this season," said Saltdogs Manager Tim Johnson. "He has a good heart and can relate well to the players.'

Workman will be the first base coach for the Saltdogs. The Funk, NE native is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney and played baseball for the Lopers.

The Lincoln Saltdogs, members of the American Association of Independent League Professional Baseball, will begin their sixth season of professional baseball on May 11, 2006 in Pensacola with the first pitch scheduled at 6:35 pm. The first home game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for Tuesday, May 23rd against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 pm.

#Saltdogs