Lincoln Saltdogs A Founding Partner in New Professional Baseball League

LINCOLN SALTDOGS A FOUNDING PARTNER IN
NEW PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

New High Level Professional Baseball League to Commence Play in 2006

Lincoln, Neb. - The Lincoln Saltdogs announced today that they will be joining the Sioux Falls Canaries and the St. Paul Saints, one of the most storied and successful franchises in minor league professional baseball, as a founding partner in the establishment of a new, high level professional baseball league commencing play in May, 2006.

In the words of Saints' President Mike Veeck, "We have enjoyed a wonderful ride in the Northern League. But as time goes on, you realize that you crave the energy and excitement of building something new and fresh. We look forward to that opportunity and that challenge."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the Lincoln Saltdogs to be involved with the creation of a new independent league. The Saltdogs will have fun being part of the new league's development," said Lincoln Saltdogs' President Charlie Meyer.

The player rules for the new league will be comparable to those in the Northern League, with modifications that will assure a high caliber of professional play. The league will play a 96-game schedule, commencing in May 2006. Details regarding the league's members, Commissioner and sponsors will be announced at a press conference in the next 30 to 45 days.

Questions regarding the new independent league may be addressed to Charlie Meyer, 402-474-2255, or Mike Veeck, 843-324-0297.

Lincoln Professional Baseball is a family-oriented organization that is dedicated to
providing the community with an exciting product that promotes everything great about the game and safeguards the dignity of the players.

#Saltdogs

Bryan Warner Honored Again

LINCOLN, Neb. * Lincoln Saltdogs rightfielder Bryan Warner has been named the 2005 Northern League's "Star of Stars" winner by Sportsticker for overall statistical excellence. The award is given annually by SportsTicker, the world's leading real-time sports news and information service.
Warner batted .352 with 21 homers and 104 RBI in 95 games this season for the Saltdogs. The 31-year-old lefthanded batter established a Northern League record with 143 hits and tied the league mark for RBI. He ranked second in the NL in batting and runs scored (85), he tied for third in extra base hits (50), was fifth in slugging (.579) and tied for fifth in home runs.

Lincoln Professional Baseball is a family-oriented organization that is dedicated to providing the community with an exciting product that promotes everything great about the game and safeguards the dignity of the players.

#Saltdogs

Bryan Warner Named Northern League Player of the Year

LINCOLN, Neb. - Lincoln Saltdogs rightfielder Bryan Warner has been named the 2005 Northern League Player of the Year to become the second player in League history to win that honor more than once. Warner, who was also the league's top player in 2002, joins Winnipeg's Terry Lee (1995 and 1996) as the only two-time recipients.

Warner batted .352 with 21 homers and 104 RBI in 95 games this season for the Saltdogs. The 31-year-old lefthanded batter established a Northern League record with 143 hits and tied the league mark for RBI. He ranked second in the NL in batting and runs scored (85), he tied for third in extra base hits (50), was fifth in slugging (.579) and tied for fifth in home runs.

Warner received 19 of the 41 ballots cast by league directors, managers, radio announcers and media. Saltdogs centerfielder Cory Harris finished second with ten votes followed by Calgary third baseman Carlos Duncan (6).

In other awards announced by the Northern League, the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks were selected as the 2005 Northern League Organization of the Year; Fargo-Moorhead righthander Brandon Culp earned Pitcher of the Year honors and Doug Simunic was named the Manager of the Year.

Lincoln Professional Baseball is a family-oriented organization that is dedicated to providing the community with an exciting product that promotes everything great about the game and safeguards the dignity of the players.

#Saltdogs

Haymarket Park Named "Best Playing Surface"

LINCOLN, Neb. * Haymarket Park has one again been named the "Best Playing Surface" in the Northern League. The announcement was made by the Northern League office on Monday.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Haymarket Park has received the distinction. "It is an honor for the organization," said Saltdogs General Manager Tim Utrup.

Balloting was conducted among Northern League managers, radio announcers, and media. Other 2005 NL award recipients announced today:

--Rookie of the Year: Brent Krause, Fargo-Moorhead

--Rookie Pitcher of the Year: RHP Quintin Oldenburg, Gary-Calgary

--Relief Pitcher of the Year: RHP Matt Hammons, St. Paul

--Most Outstanding Defensive Player: SS Max Poulin, Winnipeg

--Executive of the Year: Roger Wexelberg, Gary

The awards for Northern League, Player, Pitcher, Manager, and Organization of the Year will be announced on Thursday.

Lincoln Professional Baseball is a family-oriented organization that is dedicated to providing the community with an exciting product that promotes everything great about the game and safeguards the dignity of the players.

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Drop Series to Fargo

Lincoln, NE - The Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks scored seven runs in the top of the first inning off of Lincoln starter Kyle Ruwe (0-1) en route to a 13-6 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs in Game #4 of the Northern League playoff semi-finals. Fargo starter Todd Geore (1-0) went 5.1 innings to pick up the win for Fargo.

Fargo second baseman Brian Ward went 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and an RBI, while Eric Kofler drove in 3 runs for the Redhawks. Lincoln was led offensively by Kevin Sullivan. Sullivan went 3 for 4 with an RBI. Josh Patton drove in two runs and hit a solo home run. Mike Goss had a solo home run to left-center for Lincoln.

Fargo wins the series two games to one and will face the winner of the St. Paul-Gary series.

#Saltdogs

Lincoln wins Game #3 with Fargo

LINCOLN - The Lincoln Saltdogs took advantage of their return home on Friday night. After falling behind 0-2 against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the best of five series the Dogs put up nine runs in the first four innings to take the third game of the series 9-3 at Haymarket Park.

Cory Harris reached base on an error to start off the game and he advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Albenis Machado. The next four Dogs reached base with a walk and three consecutive RBI singles from Pichi Balet, Josh Patton and Kevin Sullivan.

Three more runs came across in the second inning for Lincoln. With two down, Harris started the rally with a single. Machado doubled and Warner walked to load the bases. Pichi Balet picked up three more RBI's with a double to left field.

Fargo broke the shutout in the third inning after Brent Krause singled and scored on an RBI single by Richard Austin.

In the fourth inning the Dogs scored another pair of runs. Balet singled and was followed by a walk from Josh Patton. Kevin Sullivan brought them both home with a two RBI double.

This was the Saltdogs first playoff win since they took Winnipeg to a fifth game back in 2002 in the Northern League Semifinals. Game four between Lincoln and Fargo is scheduled for a 12:35 first pitch at Haymarket Park on Saturday.

Lincoln Players Make NL All-Star Team

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Lincoln Saltdogs landed two outfielders on the Northern League All-Star team.

Saltdogs Right-Fielder Bryan Warner, 30, batted .352 with 21 home runs and a career high 104 RBI's. Warner was named to the 2005 Northern League All-Star team. The 21 home runs tied a franchise record for most home runs and his 143 hits was a Northern League record for most hits in a season. His 104 RBI's tied the Northern League record for most RBI's in a season.

Saltdogs Center-Fielder Cory Harris, 25, batted .341 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI's. Harris was a member of the 2005 Northern All-Star Team and won the Home Run Derby Hitting Contest at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana. His 21 home runs tied a Saltdogs franchise record for most home runs in a season. Harris had a franchise record 19 game hitting streak during the 2005 season.

Here are Northern League record set by Harris and Warner this season.

At Bats: 417-Cory Harris, Lincoln (previous record, 416, Joe Mathis, 2004)
Runs: 99-Cory Harris, Lincoln (previous record, 97, Rick Prieto, 2004)
Hits: 143-Bryan Warner, Lincoln (previous record, 138, Geoff McCallum, 2004)
Doubles: 40-Cory Harris, Lincoln (previous record, 39, Carmine Cappuccio, 2001)
Runs Batted In: 104--Bryan Warner, Lincoln (ties record previously done by Mario Delgado, 2004)

#Saltdogs--

Lincoln Drops Sereis With Sioux city - Opens Playoffs Tuesday Night

LINCOLN - It was a record setting night for Bryan Warner as the Lincoln Saltdogs finished the 2005 regular season with a 5-4 loss to the Sioux City Explorers. Jonathan Wiebe earned the win for the X's retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh inning. Sean Kramer earned his 20th save of the season, allowing one home run in the final frame. Wes O'Brien took the loss for Lincoln allowing four runs in 2/3 of an inning of work.

The Dogs got the first run of the game in the first frame after Cory Harris legged out a single to the first baseman Dan Meier. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Bryan Warner picked up his 102nd RBI of the year with a single to center field.

After tying the game in the sixth inning, the Explorers were able to put the game out of reach with a four run eighth inning. After an Ian Church walk, Meier came to the plate and hit a ball deep to left field that hit on the top of the wall and bounced over for a home run. Marcel Longmire and Ryan Gripp both reached base following the home run and scored on a two RBI single by Chris Grossman.

A pair of home runs by Bryan Warner and Jay Yaconetti brought the game within one run, but Lincoln couldn't close the door with a win.

Bryan Warner's home run in the eighth inning gave him 104 RBI's on the season to tie for the all-time Northern League record for RBI's in a season with Mario Delgado who achieved the same total in 2004. Warner also set a new NL record for the most hits in a season. His new total is 143, five over the old record of 138 set back in 2004.

The Saltdogs will hit the road for their first round playoff match-up with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks on Tuesday at Fargo. The third and fourth games of the five game series will played at Haymarket Park on Friday and Saturday.

#Saltdogs

'Dogs Snap Losing Streak; Make the Playoffs

Lincoln, NE - Lincoln snapped a record eight game losing streak with a 10-0 shutout over the visiting Sioux City Explorers. With the win the Saltdogs have secured a spot in the Northern League Playoffs.

Brian Rodaway (8-7) pitched his seventh complete, and second in a row, with a complete game shut out. The shut-out was Rodaway's third of the year. Lincoln improves to 52 and 33 overall and 25 and 22 in the second half of the seaon. Sioux City drops to 43 and 52 overall and 20 and 27 in the second half.

Lincoln scored one run in the bottom of the first inning. Cory Harris reached first on an infield single, and advanced to third on a single by Albenis Machado. Harris scored on the sacrifice fly ball to center field. The RBI was Warner's 100th of the season.

Lincoln would go on to score one run in the bottom of the third and fifth innings then exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the sixth. The key hit in the inning was Mike Goss' two run home run to left field. Mike Goss, Dan Underwood and Bryan Warner each had two RBI-s in the game.

Lincoln wraps up the 2005 season at Haymarket Park tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 pm in game three of the series with Sioux City. For playoff ticket information call 474-BALL (2255)

#Saltdogs

Saltdogs Lose 8th Straight

incoln dropped its, season high, 8th straight game on Friday night to the Sioux City Explorers by the score of 9 to 5.

Lincoln is now in third place behind St. Paul and Gary in the Northern League's South Division.

Ian Church's grand slam highlighted a six run 8th inning as Sioux City went on to win the game. Explorers' reliever Travis Dressler (2-2) picked up the win, while Saltdogs reliever Kyle Ruwe (6-3) took the loss.

Saltdogs center-fielder Cory Harris hit his 21st home run of the year, a two run shot to left, to hit his 140th hit of the year, which sets a Northern League mark for hits in a single season.

Lincoln is now 51 and 43 overall and 24 and 22 in the second half. Sioux City improves to 43 and 51 overall and 20 and 26 in the second half.

Game two of the series is set for 2:05 PM at Haymarket Park in Lincoln.

#Saltdogs

'Dogs Lose 7th Straight

FARGO, N.D. - The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks closed out their home schedule in style, setting a new Northern League record with their 14th consecutive victory by defeating the Lincoln Saltdogs 11-1 on Thursday night at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo. Fargo-Moorhead improved to 39-5 in the second half and 67-25 overall with the victory. Lincoln dropped to 24-21 in the second half and 51-42 overall. The RedHawks broke the Northern League and team record of 13 straight wins, originally set in 1998 and tied earlier this half. The victory also gave the RedHawks a 39-9 record at Newman Outdoor Field this season.Brandon Culp (14-0) ensured he would end the season with a perfect record after allowing one run on five hits in 6.0 innings pitched. He struck out one batter and walked one. Culp moved ahead of teammate Joe Sergent (13-2) for the team record for victories in a season, but Sergent will have the opportunity to tie him when he starts on Friday night.After Lincoln took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the RedHawks plated six runs in the third for a commanding 6-1 lead. The inning was highlighted by Ruben Salazar's three-run triple and an RBI single from Kelley Gulledge. Bryon Jeffcoat's two-run single highlighted a three-run fifth inning, while Eric Kofler drilled a solo home run in the sixth inning to give the 'Hawks an 11-1 lead.

'Dogs Lose Second Game to Fargo

FARGO, N.D. - Clyde Williams drilled a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 4-3 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday night before a sell-out crowd of 4,560 fans at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo. The victory gave the RedHawks their second 13-game winning streak of the month and ties a Northern League record for consecutive victories. Fargo-Moorhead improved to 38-5 in the second half and 66-25 overall with the victory. Lincoln dropped to 24-20 in the second half and 51-41 overall. Bryan Warner drilled a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Saltdogs a 2-0 lead. It was Warner's 20th home run of the season and his 98th and 99th RBIs of the year. Lincoln took a 3-0 lead on Josh Patton's RBI fielder's choice that scored Albenis Machado.Fargo-Moorhead mounted a rally in the seventh inning, getting three consecutive singles to lead off the frame to load the bases. Lincoln starter Humberto Cardenas walked Kelley Gulledge for the 'Hawks first run of the game. After Cardenas got two more outs, Brian Ward smacked a two-run single to center that scored Ruben Salazar and Eric Kofler to tie the game 3-3.Doug Young (5-3) pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to pick up the victory. Brian Adams earned his 11th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. Lincoln reliever Kyle Allen (0-1) took the loss after allowing Williams' home run.The RedHawks and Saltdogs will conclude their three-game series against on Thursday night at Newman Outdoor Field. Game time is 7:05 p.m., with Brandon Culp (13-0) getting the start for the RedHawks. Lincoln will counter with Ben Fox (2-1).