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--