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BlueSox Pick Up RHP from University of Akron May 31, 2010 In what could prove to be the last roster change prior to the start of the 2010 campaign the BlueSox have acquired a RHP from the University of Akron.  Danny Fawcett just completed his sophomore year for the Zips and will be joining the Butler pitching staff. "Its has been a hectic past two weeks regarding our roster – after losing two starting pitchers due to injuries and with the prospect of being short-handed because of players involved in NCAA tournaments," said BlueSox GM Leo Trich.  "So when the opportunity came up to bring Danny to Butler, Coach Wuerfel and I took it – and we like what he can bring to the staff." Fawcett is a 6’2" right-hander from Hilliard, OH and is a teammate of former BlueSox player James Podgorney, who played for Butler in 2009. Podgorney suggested to Fawcett that he should consider the BlueSox, even though Danny had a possible chance of playing in another top summer league. "I appreciate James acting as a ‘scout' for his old team," joked Trich. "And if Danny is the same type of class act as Podgorney, then we have made a good choice."

2009 Season

2009 BlueSox Highlight Reel! .  Coach Wuerfel put together a fun overview of his hitter for the 2009 BlueSox season. Check out the video below and enjoy some great memories from last season.

Roberts Signed By BlueSox  Speed and an ability to hit.  That makes for a great one-two punch.  Colby Roberts will hope to add both dimensions to the BlueSox this summer when he comes to Butler.  The left-handed hitting freshman from Crowder College, comes in with impressive numbers. Roberts, 5’11 and 185, has 37 stolen bases in 39 attempts.  He hit .329 for the spring season and had 32 RBI’s to his credit. Colby, a native of Benton Arkansas, had a .442 on base percentage. “We look for Colby to be an added plus to our line-up”, said GM Leo Trich.  “He has the speed we like – and the speed we need to cover a lot of territory in Pullman’s large outfield, and Roberts can give us an extra weapon on the bases too”, Trich said.

Jonathan CRAYCRAFT Joins the BlueSox

Jonathan Craycraft will prove to be a valuable asset in the BlueSox infield for 2010. 

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Penn State Behrends Campus Catcher Ryan Geibel of Butler . Butler High School graduate and current catcher for the Penn State Behrend's University team will be playing at home this summer. .  "We are happy to have a quality catcher like Ryan be a part of our 2010 squad", said GM Leo Trich. "Ryan Geibel has impressed his college coachi...ng staff and he comes highly recommended from them", Trich said..Currently Geibel is playing in his sophomore year at the Erie PA campus and his doing well. he has a batting average of .450 and a .600 slugging percentage.   "Coach Wurefel and I both see Ryan as a player who can compete in the Prospect League and give us added depth behind the plate", commented Trich. "When you play 56 games in just nine week, you can never have too many catchers," he concluded.

Seton Hill University

DJ CANNON WILL PITCH FOR
BLUESOX IN 2010

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Brian Warheit will have a college team-mate with him next summer. DJ Cannon will join him on the Butler pitching staff.  Cannon has had success at Seton Hill. Last season he had two complete while staring four.  While appearing in 11 games and the RHP ended up with a 3-2 record and a very good 2.82  DJ struck out 25 in 38 innings of work. 

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"We think DJ will help a great deal next summer. He is a great competitor who gives us another strong arm and we are glad to have him with us," stated GM Leo Trich.

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Over the last two spring season while in college, Cannon has a combined 7-5 and has enjoyed an ERA of just over 2.80.  Cannon is a 6'2 graduate of Mars High School and resides in Valencia PA.  He is currently a junior at Seton Hill.  

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Senaca Valley and PITT Stand-out Kevan Smith Commits to BlueSox for 2010 Season Smith, a talented athlete at the University of Pittsburgh, is now devoting his full attention to baseball, after playing football at PITT early in his college career. After returning to baseball last spring, Kevan commented:  "I'm stronger now, so my hitting is coming back and my catching is still there. It's like I never stopped playing baseball." Smith proved that he can indeed still play baseball – compiling a .363 batting average – second best on the Panther team.  He enjoyed a .520 slugging percentage and a .425 on base percentage , also second best on the PITT team. "Coach Wuerfel and I are very pleased to have Kevan with us in 2010", stated Leo Trich, BlueSox GM. "We know that he will be a very positive addition at the plate and behind the plate", said Trich. "He is certainly a player who could be selected in the MLB draft and that would be great.  If not, Smith will have a place to play here in Butler and that’s good news for the BlueSox", he said. A power-hitting catcher who was a highly regarded high-school prospect, Kevan Smith is quick for his 6’3 225 frame. While at Seneca valley High School, Smith was a four year letterman in baseball and was named Quad A Player of the Year by the WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association.

Broder Suffers Arm Injury - released 6/17 University of Michigan Matt Broder Will Be On The Mound  . The University fo Michigan will be well represented on the 2010 BlueSox. Lefty Matt Broder joins team-mate Ben Ballantine and head coach Jason Wuerfel on next summer’s roster. . Coach Wuerfel, who himself played for the Wolverines as a catcher, is happy to have Broder with the BlueSox. “Matt Broder is a polished left-handed that will look to eat up his share of innings in our starting rotation,” commented Wuerfel.  “He features a terrific change-up and knows how to keep hitters off-balance," said coach Wuerfel. . .  The 6’5 205 LHP is from Bloomfield Hills, MI. .  HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Cranbrook Kingswood H.S.   Four-year letter-winner in baseball; Named First Team All-Metro Conference and First Team All-District each of his last three seasons. Two-time team captain; Earned All-County honors as a senior ... Named 2008 Athlete of the Year by Cranes Illustrated. Voted Cranbrook Kinsgwood 2008 Athlete of the Year and Jewish News Michigan High School Athlete of the Year ... Member of 2008 East/West All-State East team ... Posted 7-1 record with a 2.42 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 60-and-two-thirds innings of work as a senior while hitting .407 as a first baseman ... Posted perfect 12-0 pitching record in two summer seasons with the Grosse Pointe Redbirds and Michigan Chargers.

Wolervine Joins BueSox  RHP BENJAMIN BALLANTINE SIGNS WITH BUTLER . The University of Michiganwill have a major role in the BlueSox. And not merely because Head Coach Jason Wuerfel played his college baseball there.   Benjamin Ballantine has joined Wolverine team-mate Matt Broder and has signed a contract to play in Butler next summer.  Ballantine, a RHP comes from Napa California and figures to be a big part of the ’10 BlueSox pitching staff  .  “I believe Ballantine has the potential to be one of the top prospects in the Prospect League,” commented Coach Jason Wuerfel.  “At 6’7 he is an intimidating figure on the mound and has a heavy fastball with a deceptive delivery.  I expect a lot of great things out of him this coming summer, said Wuerfel.  . HIGH SCHOOL and SUMMER LEAGUE: Earned four varsity letters, two each in baseball and basketball (2008, '09) Named to  All-Monticello Empire League, first team (2008, '09) ... All-County, first team (2008, '09) ... Team Captain (2009) ... Posted a 6-2 record and 2.67 ERA with one save in senior season, earning team Most Valuable Pitcher honors.  Led Napa CA  Riverdawgs summer team to district and area championships as well as a state tournament berth in 2009.

Outfielder 

VOGEL IS ON BOARD WITH BLUESOX

Max Vogel is a talented athlete and he has signed with the BlueSox for the 2010 summer season.  In June 2009 he was named All-Area high school Player of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  Vogel's role will primarily be an outfielder. He has the athletic ability to roam the spacious Pullman Park outfield and has proven himself as a hitter as well.

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"We are fortunate to Max with us next summer", stated BlueSox GM Leo Trich.  "He will help us both defensively and offensively. Now that he is at DIV 1 Winthrop, I am confident we will see continued improvement this spring and thats good news for us," Trich said.

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The 6'2 left handed hitter has another dimention - as a RHP for Hopewell High School, located near Pittsburgh PA.   

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During his high school career that ended last June, Hopewell High School's opponents were "Maxed" out in 2009. "Max always got the most difficult pitching assignments and he had excellent composure with them," said Hopewell coach Joe Colella. "I think the kids felt once he was on the mound, they were definitely going to win and that was one of the keys to the season." Vogel had a perfect 10-0 pitching record and an ERA of 1.18. He finished with 95 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings and allowed only 51 hits. A co-captain of the team, Vogel also used his hitting to Hopewell to a to a 20-3 record. He batted .354 with eight doubles, six home runs, 26 RBIs and 29 runs scored. 
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UNABLE TO PLAY SUMMER BALL  University of Pittsburgh Pitcher J.R. LEONARDI Signs With BlueSox A graduate of Allderdice HS in Pittsburgh PA, JR Leonardi is a proven pitcher who will be a plus to the BlueSox staff. .  “Leonardi has a high, over the top arm slot and throws with a hard, downward angle that should get a lot of ground balls,” commented Coach Wuerfel.  “He has a command of three pitches, and is an advanced pitcher for a true freshman.  He has a lot of upside and we expect great things out of him,” Wuerfel said.  . Leonardi, a RHP, is 6’2 205 and resides in Pittsburgh PA.  .  High School: As a senior, Leonardi helped his high school team win a Pittsburgh City League Championship. JR played at Allderdice HS. He was all named to the 2009 All-Section High School League Team