The lineup for the startup summer-collegiate Great West League is starting to take shape for 2016, and we have some team news, including the announcement of the Lodi Crushers team-name unveiling.
The Crushers will play at Tony Zupo Field. A website with team logo will be coming soon, along with the 2016 schedule and season ticket opportunities.
Leading the Crushers: Doug Leary is the team’s GM. Leary brings over 35 years of experience in sports and entertainment to Lodi. His love for the game and a desire to bring affordable family fun to the community will be his focus in the coming months.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with Leary’s background overseeing the team,” said Jack Donovan, one of the team’s owners. “His experience and versatility will serve the team and the fans well.”
Meanwhile, the Portland Pickles announced that J.J. Altobelli, a former star shortstop with the Oregon Ducks, is the team’s first manager of the Portland Pickles. Altobelli, most recently third base coach for the Medford Rogues (summer collegiate; West Coast League), is an administrative assistant on Coach George Horton’s staff at the University of Oregon.
“I’m thrilled to join the Pickles,” said the 24-year-old Altobelli, a native of Irvine, California. “The Pickles organization is first class and we’ll be bringing in players that the community will be proud of.”
Altobelli was selected for the Pickles position after a nationwide search. “J.J. is a very impressive person and comes highly recommended,” said Pickles Vice President Grant Wilson. “He has great contacts in college baseball and we believe J.J. will bring in some of the top college players in the country and put together an exciting team for the Portland fans.”
The Pickles will play 30-home games each season at the newly renovated Walker Stadium in East Portland.
Previously announced: the Chico Heat will be playing out of Nettleton Stadium.
Some big names are involved with the startup league, including Pat Gillick, Jack Donovan, Steve Nettleton and Ken Wilson.
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