FIELDS RETURNS FOR FOURTH SEASON WITH FLOCK

Ducks re-sign 2019 Atlantic League champion outfielder

(Central Islip, N.Y., April 6, 2022) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of outfielder Daniel Fields. The former big leaguer begins his fourth season with the Ducks, fifth in the Atlantic League and 12th in professional baseball.

“Daniel has been a consummate professional throughout his time us,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “He is a leader in our clubhouse and has done a terrific job on the field. We are happy to welcome him back.”

Fields has spent each of the past three seasons with the Ducks. During that time, he has played in 262 regular season games, compiling a .266 batting average with 35 home runs, 124 RBIs, 128 runs, 216 hits, 43 doubles, seven triples and 28 stolen bases. The 31-year-old has also played in 15 postseason games with Long Island, totaling 12 hits, two homers, nine RBIs, seven runs and seven walks. His efforts have helped lead the Flock to three division titles as well as the 2019 Atlantic League championship.

The Detroit native played 77 games with the Ducks in 2021. He hit .299 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs and also earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors for July after leading the league with a .417 batting average for the month. Prior to joining Long Island, the lefty hitter reached the Major Leagues with his hometown Detroit Tigers in 2015, going 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. He has also reached the Triple-A level with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations. Fields was originally selected by the Tigers in the sixth round of the 2009 amateur draft.

“I’m very excited to get back on the field after missing the last month of 2021 with an injury,” said Fields. “I’m looking forward to being around the fellas and bringing another championship to Long Island.”

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information, please visit AtlanticLeague.com. 

BARNSTORMERS ADD RIGHT-HANDER JOHNSON

Sylk Returns to Staff as Roster Continues to Fill

Lancaster, PA --- The Lancaster Barnstormers have added right-hander Chase Johnson, a former third round pick of the San Francisco Giants, to their 2022 staff, it was announced today by manager Ross Peeples.

Johnson, 30, was selected in the third round of the 2013 draft from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.  The California native remained in the San Francisco system through 2019, reaching the Class AAA level by 2017.  He was named to the participate in the 2015 California League-Carolina League All-Star Game at Rancho Cucamonga while putting together an 8-3 record and 2.43 ERA over 18 starts for San Jose.  He was promoted to Class AA Richmond later that season.

A reliever in college, Johnson became a starter for the first six seasons of his pro career but was switched to the bullpen for a portion of the 2017 season, picking up five saves for Richmond.

Last season, he was signed by the San Diego Padres and appeared in 19 games for Class AAA El Paso.  He was 1-1 with a 10.80 ERA and did not pitch after July 17.

“Chase is a guy I talked to last year,” said Peeples.  “He can start or relieve, and we will look for him to provide some quality innings for us.  He will start off the season in the bullpen.”

Sylk, 23, returns to Lancaster after posting a 5-7 record in 2021.  The native of Pacific Palisades, CA started 22 games for the Barnstormers, tying Dominic DiSabatino for the club lead, and the club went 11-11 in those starts.  His first win came against Charleston on June 27, but he recorded six shutout innings against Southern Maryland in a July 18 win in Lancaster and beat the Blue Crabs again in the first game of a doubleheader on September 2.

He capped the year in strong fashion, firing six shutout innings in a 9-1 win over High Point in the season finale.

Sylk was drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of the University of Southern California in 2019 and pitched in the Arizona and Pioneer Leagues that season.  He is the son of actors Denise Crosby (Star Trek, the Next Generation) and Ken Sylk (The Freddie Prinze Story) and the great-grandson of entertainment legend Bing Crosby.

“Sylk is a young lefty with a good arm,” said Peeples.  “He can start or relieve and is always willing to take the ball.  I am hoping that, after everything he learned last year, and a tweak in his delivery this off-season, he will succeed at a high level this year.”

About the Lancaster Barnstormers

The Lancaster Barnstormers are headed into their 18^th year in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.  Home games are played at Ballpark Digest’s two-time Best Ballpark in MLB Partner League Baseball - Clipper Magazine Stadium in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Please call 717.509.HITS (4487) or visit www.lancasterbarnstormers.com for more information. 

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

FORMER TIGER SANDY BAEZ JOINS DUCKS

Long Island adds righty reliever with MLB experience

(Central Islip, N.Y., March 29, 2022) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Sandy Baez. The two-year MLB veteran begins his first season with the Ducks and ninth in professional baseball.

“Sandy adds experience from the game’s highest level to our pitching staff,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “His goal is to return to the Major Leagues, and we are excited to try and help him accomplish that.”

Baez spent parts of the 2018 and 2019 seasons in the Majors with the Detroit Tigers. He combined to make 10 relief appearances in The Show, striking out 10 batters over 15.1 innings of work. His Major League debut came against the New York Yankees on June 4, 2018, at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Dominican Republic native struck out four batters, walked three and did not allow a hit over four and one-third innings of scoreless baseball.

The 28-year-old also spent time at three minor league levels in the Tigers organization during the 2019 season. He combined to make 22 appearances, striking out 22 batters over 27.1 innings. The righty has experience as a starter as well, posting a 3.86 ERA in 17 starts with High-A Lakeland in 2017 and an 8-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 14 games (10 starts) with the Tigers Dominican Summer League team in 2013. Overall, he has compiled a 4.19 ERA, two saves and 493 strikeouts over 569.1 innings in 145 games (100 starts) during his minor league career. Baez was originally signed by the Tigers as an amateur free agent in 2011.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League is the first Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing 44 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history. For more information, please visit AtlanticLeague.com.

Rockers Invite Former MLB Hurlers to Camp
Barbato, Bradford and Lail to join High Point

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers today announced that they have invited three former Major League pitchers to spring training when the Rockers report this weekend to Truist Point.

The Rockers have invited right-handed pitchers Brady Lail, Johnny Barbato and Chasen Bradford to training camp.

“I’m excited to get all three of these guys into camp,” said Rockers’ manager Jamie Keefe. “Brady has spent parts of the last three years in the big leagues. We are going to give him an opportunity and we know he’s going into the starting rotation.

“Chasen pitched for (Rockers pitching coach) Frank (Viola) in the Mets organization,” continued Keefe. “Chasen is 7-0 in the Major Leagues with an ERA of under four and looking for another chance to play in the big leagues.  We’re going to give him an opportunity to get some innings and possibly get signed. Chasen and Johnny are good friends and throwing partners during the off-season. I’m excited about having Johnny in camp because he gives us another Major League caliber arm.”

Lail, 28, made his Major League debut in 2019 with the New York Yankees and also pitched with the White Sox and Mariners in 2020 and 2021. He has appeared in 11 MLB games and pitched 21 innings with 15 strikeouts.

Barbarto, 29, has pitched in 44 Major League games during stints with the Yankees (2016), Pirates (2017), and Tigers (2018). An 11-year veteran of professional baseball, he spent 2019 in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Bradford, 32, came up through the New York Mets system where Viola was his pitching coach during stops at Savannah in 2012 and with Las Vegas from 2014-17. Bradford made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2017, going 2-0. He spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Seattle, posting a 5-0 record for the Mariners.

The Rockers will open spring training on Monday, April 11 before starting the regular season at Truist Point on Thursday, April 21 against the Kentucky Wild Health Genomes.

About High Point Baseball, Inc.

High Point Baseball, AKA The High Point Rockers, will begin their third season in the Atlantic League in 2022 in a state-of-the-art, $36M downtown ballpark, Truist Point. High Point Baseball is part of the fastest growing family sport in America and is committed to providing superior customer service and quality, affordable family entertainment for the Triad of North Carolina. The Rockers have built a fun and competitive atmosphere in both High Point and the Atlantic League while playing in the 2019 Ballpark of the Year.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 44 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.